reader's rights
  1. The right to read is an universal cultural right.
    You are a reader. We are all readers, we can all become readers.

  2. To read is not the same as to own a book.
    No one can force you to buy a book (or a user license) in order to read it.

  3. Reading will never be a crime.
    Neither a civil fault. Reading does not generrate a royalty and no one con prosecute or accuse you for reading.

  4. The right to read is irrenounceable.
    No agreement, contract phrasing, or security measure can strip you of this rights.

  5. The reader has the right to a time and place to read.
    Be it in a public library or in your own home, no one can limit when, how, what or with whom you can read. You also have the right not to read, if you so desire.

  6. The reader is neither an user nor a consumer.
    Reading does not consume a book, rather, it is exalted by the process. And if someone gifts you a book, or lends it to you, or just shares it with you, you then are neither a pirate or a thief, you are simply a reader.

  7. The reader is free to choose to read and reread in any format that suits him/her.
    The format of the book does not alter its realtionship with you, be it in electronic form, paper, scroll or stone.

  8. If the reader acquires a book, that book is his/hers.
    Being yours, you may backup, share, gift, inherit or re-sell your books at any time, without asking for permission.

  9. The reader will not renounce his/her privacy in order to read or acquire a book.
    No entity, regardless of its means or status, will have the right to monitor your readings or your books. 

  10. The reader will obtain his/her books through legitimate means as long as such an option is available.
    As long as books do not hinder these rights, one is obliged to pay a fair price for them. It is strictly forbidden to make unauthorized copies of any book for comercial purposes.
 •    Reader's rights?
Reader's rights, or the rights of the readers, are essential in a digital world. However, up until now, the notion that someone who reads has rights is mostly unheard of.
We seek to create an ongoing discussion around these topics: the rights of the reader and the limits to author's rights and copyright law. 

 ••    What is this?

This page is the cover for a blog. There is no right way to read this space. Each link will take you to entries written about that or other topics inside. You can also visit our FAQ or start reading from the most recent entry.

 •••    And the rights of the authors?

As a principle, we are neither against author's rights or authors themselves. Nevertheless, we believe that it is necessary that authors and their representatives respect the rights of the readers: after all, what is a writer without readers?


 ••••    What can I do?

Reader's rights need not be recognized as such by any government or state to be enforced by each of us. After all, most of these rights you already have with paper books. Please consult our "do it yourself" section to learn more. 


 —    Help us

You can helkp us by making a donation, by promoting and linking this space and talking to others about it, or by translating and mantaining this cover and blog into other languages.
   about us | contact | legal - license enter  English | Spanish