Places (other than the college bookstore) you've used to purchase textbooks.

[SweetSecret]

I knew certain people that would *ahem* download a pdf version via torrent..:leaving:

Of course, I wouldn't advocate for such a thing, as you are just as likely to get you a free virus with it

Occasionally the books are online for free, some you can download and others you have to view online (legally).

17 U.S.C. § 107 : US Code - Section 107: Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include - (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

I've discussed this with the local Librarian, who at one point allowed me to make copies of the glossary pages of a textbook, along with copies of the pages listing changes in the most recent text from the previous edition.

It seems to me that as students [scholars], since we are not looking to earn credits for a single course in order to financially profit, fair use would include PDF reproductions of textbooks.

[Prloko]

17 U.S.C. § 107 : US Code - Section 107: Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include - (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

I've discussed this with the local Librarian, who at one point allowed me to make copies of the glossary pages of a textbook, along with copies of the pages listing changes in the most recent text from the previous edition.

It seems to me that as students [scholars], since we are not looking to earn credits for a single course in order to financially profit, fair use would include PDF reproductions of textbooks.

factor (3) and (4) is the important distinction. An entire work reproduced is NOT fair use, but copyright infringment. Fair use alludes to quoting paragraphs or reproducing sections for criticism. For example, on youtube, you can legally provide a clip of a movie for fair use if it involves critique, reporting, etc. You CANNOT, provide the WHOLE movie for the purpose of critique.

Either way, I've downloaded PDF texts before, especially when the book wouldve cost over $200. They are more difficult to find nowadays, and as stated earlier, you're opening yourself up to viruses.

[rebel100]

Abe books has become my favorite by far AbeBooks - Used Books, Rare Books, New Books & Textbooks

Followed by amazon (I always check both Abe and Amazon at a minimal).

Ebay has been reliable for international editions, especially in science and math where a new book might be preferable to used.

Sometimes it takes a bit of detective work to find a cheap option. For example through amazon I discovered the Algebra book required for Arkansas State IS courses was exactly the same as the Algebra book used throughout the Arizona State system....but the Arizona State book had its own ISBN, since it appeared school specific however the book was considerably cheaper.

[clep3705]

The fair use argument is an old one that predates the internet. It was invoked by people who would use two VCRs to make a copy of a VHS tape. Before that, people would copy cassette tapes of music and claim fair use.

I completely sympathize with people struggling to make ends meet being faced with textbook expenses that can exceed the cost of tuition in some cases. Such a person has a bias to interpret fair use to prevent economic hardship. The US government copyright office has no such bias and seems to suggest a different interpretation.

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf
"c Copying shall not:
a substitute for the purchase of books, publishers’
reprints or periodicals;"

The document provides definitions of brevity. For example, one chapter from a book meets the brevity requirement. The document also explains the concept of cumulative effect which essentially says that you can't copy the entire body of work with some specific exceptions for short works such as poems.

It's sort of like free samples at the grocery store. You can't eat the entire turkey, cantaloupe, or whatever for free.

[soliloquy]

I lucked out and bought a 217 book for 35 on Ebay. It is in good condition and same ISBN. I love a good deal.

I just bought an International Edition with the buyer's promise that the pagination and case studies are the same. We shall see. If it's not I still have time to get it from Amazon using my prime shipping and it was only $27 so it's worth a gamble.

I've used most of the links to compare that were listed. Good ideas so far.

[soliloquy]

17 U.S.C. § 107 : US Code - Section 107: Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include - (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

I've discussed this with the local Librarian, who at one point allowed me to make copies of the glossary pages of a textbook, along with copies of the pages listing changes in the most recent text from the previous edition.

It seems to me that as students [scholars], since we are not looking to earn credits for a single course in order to financially profit, fair use would include PDF reproductions of textbooks.

Sometimes laws on their face mean little. You have to dig a little deeper and determine how the appellate courts have interpreted this law and applied it recently to today's technology.