Re: i found manuals you can view page to page online Free!
let me get this correct, you can not loan a book that you bought and payed for to a friend to read? DUH! wake up
this is not a pc disk its a book.
I think some issues are getting confused. It does not violate copyright to loan a book (or DVD, CD, etc) to someone for them to read or listen to. It does not violate copyright to copy something you've purchased to use the copy for your own use.
Software- most software is not purchased outright, but a license to use it is purchased and the terms of that license are usually very clear. For example, the software license will usually say it is for single use only, no loaning or copying at all, not even for personal use. Different than buying a book or CD.
"Loaning" your book (or a copy of that book) to someone for their use after which they will return it, or selling it to someone is - in the eyes of the law - very much different than making copies available widespread, like on the web. That is actual distribution, not just loaning. It doesn't matter if that is done for a fee or for free, it violates copyright. Again, I refer to current legal actions taken against illegal distribution of copyrighted music over the web.
I bought an original Envinrude manual for my 75 Hp from OMC back when I bought the engine. (original printing, not a "xerox") It has an OMC part number and i just checked, it has no copyright. I also bought the parts list. Same thing: OMC part number & no copyright.
Also years ago I bought a manual from Mercury for my little kicker. You guessed it. It has a Part number but no copyright.
Interesting, huh.
Tom B.
(LongLine)
Interesting, "this work is copyrighted" does not have to be stated on the work to be in effect. Copyright in general is automatically in effect for any creative work at the time it's created. Although registration can be part of it, You don't even have to register it for it to be copyrighted, although that usually makes it easier to enforce. But the words "copyright" do not have to appear on the item for it to be copyrighted. Examples: any piece of art, song, etc.
Here's my opinion: I think that outboard manuals should be available, wide spread, on the net for free by the OEM companies. I think its stupid that BRP, for example, does not have a technical section on their website with owner's and service manuals free to download for their engines as far back as they can (for BRP that might only be a few years). Many, many equipment manufacturers do this - one example in boating is teleflex, but there are many others. Most of the stuff I buy - from bicycle parts to my snowblower - has technical documents on line nowadays.
[however, I can see how the older stuff, that is brought back to life by other companies, should be charged for]
OEM companies are in the business of selling equipment, not books! They shouldn't use books as a way to generate income, they should use it to enhance the value of their product. They are in the business of creating happy owners, even in the used market, and therefore easy access to user and service information would be good for their business, imho.
So in that sense I totally agree with those who think this stuff should be easy to find and free to use. BUt I do know a little about copyright, and only intend to clarify the reality, not what I would like it to be.
