Reading a soon-to-be-published book without the author’s permission
This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
Go to original →
Question
Shalom.
A writer wrote a serialized story in a newspaper, and now it is about to be published as a book. One of the newspaper’s editors wanted to send the fully edited story to the writer by email, and by mistake
it was sent to a large group. The question is: is a private individual allowed to read the story after it has already been sent to them?
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
This is forbidden, since the story is about to be published and sold for payment.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, siman 369, se’if 2: it is forbidden to derive benefit from something stolen, even after the owner has despaired. And even if it was taken inadvertently, it still has the status of theft.
Comments
Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)
