# How is Scribd legal?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-scribd-legal/948677>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 14, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-scribd-legal/948677 "2021-08-14T19:47:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 31

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**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-scribd-legal/948677/31 "2021-08-16T20:56:46Z")

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> [@DPRK](#):
>
> OTOH I have been to research libraries where the _librarian_ had photocopied a whole, rare or damaged out-of-print book, bound, and shelved it.

This is allowed under copyright law ([17 USC 108c](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title17-section108&num=0&edition=prelim)).

> (c) The right of reproduction under this section applies to three copies or phonorecords of a published work duplicated solely for the purpose of replacement of a copy or phonorecord that is damaged, deteriorating, lost, or stolen, or if the existing format in which the work is stored has become obsolete, if-
> 
> (1) the library or archives has, after a reasonable effort, determined that an unused replacement cannot be obtained at a fair price; and
> 
> (2) any such copy or phonorecord that is reproduced in digital format is not made available to the public in that format outside the premises of the library or archives in lawful possession of such copy.

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