Uploading an e-book

[Muhammad]

I use to upload e-books here, but Isn't it Illegal to upload pdf copies for example to Goodreads database?

What do Goodreads do to protect the website and users from any legal prosecution?

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Unless you hold the copyright on a book (or have obtained written permission from author/literary-trust holding the copyright), goodreads does not permit you to upload any copyrighted materials. And it is illegal.

When you go to upload an ebook, there is a notice saying that by uploading "You retain the copyright to writing you upload. When you post your writing, you are giving Goodreads the right to make it available through our services in accordance with our Terms of Use.

You must only upload content in which you own all the rights. If you upload any content in which you do not own all the rights, you may be violating copyright law. Uploading copyrighted content without the explicit consent of the copyright owner may result in both the content and your personal profile being cancelled."

Doing so also violates the terms of service you agreed to when creating your account; goodreads is not held legally responsible and members not respecting intellectual property laws (including but not limited to uploading materials) will have accounts revoked.

Terms of Service are at http://www.goodreads.com/about/terms

Specifically some applicable sections: "...You agree that any User Content that you post does not and will not violate third-party rights of any kind, including without limitation any Intellectual Property Rights (as defined below), rights of publicity and privacy. ...

...For the purposes of this Agreement, "Intellectual Property Rights" means all patent rights, copyright rights, mask work rights, moral rights, rights of publicity, trademark, trade dress and service mark rights, goodwill, trade secret rights and other intellectual property rights as may now exist or hereafter come into existence, and all applications therefore and registrations, renewals and extensions thereof, under the laws of any state, country, territory or other jurisdiction....

...You understand and agree that any loss or damage of any kind that occurs as a result of the use of any User Content that you send, upload, download, stream, post, transmit, display, or otherwise make available or access through your use of the Service, is solely your responsibility. "

[Muhammad]

Thanks a lot for your clarifying