It doesn't matter how many copies you give away.
If it isn't published under an open license that allows re-distribution, you're in the wrong.
If it is published under such a license, and you don't follow it properly, you're in the wrong.
If you give it away to one person, or 1000, and you don't have written permission (which includes the open license and abiding by it), you're in the wrong.
If you are not sure I am correct, ask a lawyer. If you aren't sure *you're*right, ask a lawyer. If you *are* sure you're right, ask a lawyer anyway.
Now... every time someone says "it's just one copy" or "it's just five copies", they help force publishers look for ever more restrictive means of securing their property. And it is a great way to scare the publishers that LoneWolf is negotiating with into refusing to participate. Because that's exactly the kind of thing they're afraid of.
Also, they forget that there's no guarantee the 5 copies you give away won't be given away to 5 more people each, who give those 25 copies away to 125 more people, who .. well, you get the idea.
Every time someone says "you're too small to be prosecuted", they forget things like Kazaa and Napster, where the host company paid for helping people steal intellectual property (even though they were sure that couldn't be held liable). And they forget how the recording industry has gone after individuals for judgments in the millions of dollars.. in order to make a point.
I'm not trying to be gloom and doom, or to single anyone out, but the attitude that "a little stealing is ok" is a rationalization I can't ignore.
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