The website Thoughts by Ted generated 244 passionate comments over the weekend by asking a simple question: is it wrong to read a pirated digital copy of an out-of-print book? This informal survey of readers offered a glimpse into the murky world of illegally-produced digital books.

The blogger had enjoyed one book by an unnamed author, but couldn't locate a digital copy of her other works. Many readers encouraged him to read the illegal copy instead of purchasing her out-of-print books.

What's your advice to this frustrated reader? Just like Napster at the turn of the century, publishers have to think about this kind of reader before it's too late:

"I really dislike having to haul dead-tree versions of my favorite novels around; they take up far too much weight and space in my carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, these out-of-print novels were published by a Neanderthal Publishing company who hasn't made any of the books available in ebook format, DRM'ed or no. Grumpy, I searched on Internet, and found all three novels were easily available for free download -- in a pirated form, of course."