Book 'Em, Dano 150
theodp writes "An Oregon library worker was arrested after selling at least $10,000 worth of stolen library books, CDs and videotapes online in the past six months. The thief, who scanned the Net to find items in demand and went to the library to check them out, was busted after an alert college president noticed his copy of the recently-published I am Charlotte Simmons, purchased on Amazon.com, sported a library receipt with a due date of Dec. 26. Earlier this month, it was reported that a VT man was arrested for stealing hundreds of books from college libraries and bookstores and selling them on Amazon, realizing more than $4,000. The library thefts are somewhat ironic, since Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and the NY Times seemed to suggest there might be fewer books in libraries if the Authors Guild, who opposed Amazon's used book sales practices, had their way. Bezos also once told angry booksellers there's no reason why Amazon should have to collect sales taxes, arguing that Amazon gets no police services from other states."
Re:Was this really illegel? (Score:5, Informative)
Here, he made use of his employee access to the library computer system to say that the book had been returned, when it had not been.
Secondly, I don't think he sold them on Amazon for more than the list price. These are current, in print books that you can get from a bookstore anywhere, including Amazon's new books section.
I would say this is a clear cut case of theft.
Mannix (Score:5, Informative)
For the less age-challenged, the Dano (sic) reference is to Hawaii Five oh. [mjq.net] I almost wrote "Mannix", such are the problems of being over the hill. I.E., over 40.
Re:dummer than a bag of hammers (Score:1, Informative)