See this Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photocopy/ Other web references present conflicting information, and of course laws vary by country. So long as the purpose is for research or education, and does not involve selling or giving away copies, articles and whole books can be copied and used by secondary consumers. If it were not for this principle then no plantsman would have copies of articles from journals that are indispensible. How many of us can or would subscribe to Feddes Repertorium or Kew Bulletin to obtain a few wanted articles? Not that it is directly relevant, but I do not support pirated copies of music and movies. But when the only means of accessing or owning a presumably important work on a popular subject is held out at $200, I object to that. On 28 March 2012 15:34, Bill Lee <blee811@aol.com> wrote: > > In the United States it is a violation of copyright law to photocopy an > entire book. > The law permits selective pages within reason, but never an entire book. > Bill Lee > > > >