Lord of the rings

jguy · 10-25-04, 09:23 PM

is ther a free veraion of lord of the rings out there?

Don't Panic! · 10-25-04, 11:25 PM

No. The Tolkien Estate has kept the copyright up to date and have been known to defend it with vigor.

Don't Panic!
Bobby

**Frenchy** · 10-25-04, 11:29 PM

I look for it too and never found one available for free or low cost. Post back if you find anything

10-26-04, 12:10 AM

that is odd i thought after awhile it became public domain

Howard2k · 10-26-04, 01:11 AM

After a while it will. But that while hasn't happened yet. I don't recall when it happens but I'm sure it's >10 years away.

10-26-04, 08:31 AM

I believe that current law is up to 75 years past the death of the author.

**Martin** · 10-26-04, 02:38 PM

lord of the rings, the hobbit, the silmarillion, etc, are all still under copyright. The current length of protection is 70 (50 in some jurisdictions, but LOTR is governed by English law) years; check your copy of LOTR (I don't have one to hand) but I think it was first published in the 1950's? That gives it a while longer yet. Added to this, copyright can be extended in exceptional circumstances under the Berne Convention.

So if you do find a free copy out there, be secure in the knowledge that you are breaching the author's right to profit from his original work of skill, judgment and labour! Although "reading" per se, is not a breach....

Ahhhh never mind.

jguy · 10-26-04, 03:00 PM

thanks for all the info. is there a place to buy it cheap?

Go Buffs!

10-26-04, 03:54 PM

And can't they renew the copyright once it is over?

**Martin** · 10-26-04, 06:40 PM

yes they can renew, though this is dependent upon various factors. Given that LOTR is still one of the most popular books out there, I would hazard a guess that a court would award them an extension of their rights to make a profit.

kramerica · 10-27-04, 02:52 AM

I own more than 5 copies of the Lord of the Rings, so I don't feel bad about not paying for my ebook copy

Outfox · 10-27-04, 11:03 AM

I'm a university student, and I was able to get The Lord of the Rings on PDF pretty easily for educational purposes. I don't know anything about copyright law, but I was told it was freely distributable for educational/scholarly purposes.

Outfox

10-27-04, 03:36 PM

What exactly would those legitimate educational/scholarly purposes be?

kramerica · 10-27-04, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Outfox

I'm a university student, and I was able to get The Lord of the Rings on PDF pretty easily for educational purposes. I don't know anything about copyright law, but I was told it was freely distributable for educational/scholarly purposes.

Outfox

That makes no sense. My guess is someone lied to you.

10-27-04, 11:39 PM

There are exceptions to copyright law for educational and scholarly work. But you can't use an entire work and you have to have a legitimate purpose. "I want to read the book and not pay for it" isn't a legitimate purpose.

On the other hand kramerica's assertion that he owns five copies of the lord of the ring and doesn't think he should have to pay for another seems to hold more weight for me.