Printing PDFs?

[Gundark]

What the rules (copyright wise) with taking a PDF to Staples (or some other place) to print up. I'm talking about PDFs that I have purchased.

Or do I have to print them at home? :\

 

[Morrus]

You're allowed to print out a digitial file that you have purchased. Whether Staples does it or you do it yourself does not affect anything.

 

[PapersAndPaychecks]

... but you can't sell printouts.

 

[Night Watchman]

My DM works at a Kinko's and so he gets a lot of free printing. He's printed tons of handouts and PDFs for use in our games. Every gaming group should have someone who works at Kinko's.

 

[TheYeti1775]

My DM works at a Kinko's and so he gets a lot of free printing. He's printed tons of handouts and PDFs for use in our games. Every gaming group should have someone who works at Kinko's.

I would so abuse that with my rather large collection of PDF's.
Bad enough I don't mind eating a ream or two of paper at my work desk.

 

[Oryan77]

Is it legal to give away printed pdf's for free? I have several 3.0 books that I printed off back in the day. I don't need them now since I own 3.5 books. I thought about trying to find someone that I can just give them to so they get some use.

 

[Gundark]

Is it legal to give away printed pdf's for free? I have several 3.0 books that I printed off back in the day. I don't need them now since I own 3.5 books. I thought about trying to find someone that I can just give them to so they get some use.

I would assume that this is no different from giving normal books away. Heck people ebay their books off all the time.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Is it legal to give away printed pdf's for free? I have several 3.0 books that I printed off back in the day. I don't need them now since I own 3.5 books. I thought about trying to find someone that I can just give them to so they get some use.

Gray area - did you purchase the PDFs? If yes, then they are fair game, just like any other item you've purchased, to be given as gifts. If you didn't purchase them and have illegal printed copies, I would suggest that you shed them and turn them into confetti.

 

[RangerWickett]

Remember, a fair number of publishers offer print on demand which is typically cheaper than paying Kinkos to print and bind things for you.

 

[Stormrunner]

Gray area - did you purchase the PDFs? If yes, then they are fair game, just like any other item you've purchased, to be given as gifts.

That is, as long as you aren't making additional copies. IANAL, but as I understand it:

Legal: I buy the PDF, use it for a while, then gift it to a friend while removing/destroying any copies I may have printed out/backed up - that is, the copy I give away is the only copy. This is functionally identical to buying a book, reading it, then giving away the book.

Illegal, or at least Unethical: I gift it to a friend but continue to keep a copy for myself.

Definitely Illegal: I make umpteen copies and gift them to all my friends.