In the case of computer programs, ownership of a copy determines whether the program may be used for specified purposes without infringing the copyright owner’s rights. Ownership of a copy determines whether the copyright owner has the right under copyright law to control subsequent transfers of the copy by sale, gift, rental or lending. Ownership of a copy of a work is distinct from ownership of the copyright in a work, which is retained by the author or publisher of a book or other work. Ownership of a copy is an important concept in copyright law. Unlike works published in print, electronic works are typically sold subject to agreements, in transactions that look less like an outright sale and more like a limited license.

But if we are talking about an e-book version of the latest translation that was bought online and downloaded to an e-reader or other mobile device, then the question of ownership of the copy is not so simply answered.

Who owns your copy of “War and Peace”? If we’re talking about a dog-eared paperback copy of “War and Peace” that you purchased in your college bookstore, then you own the copy for purposes of copyright law.

For iphone download War and Peace