My search-fu isn't that great and I was hoping to get some specific answers.
Both myself and another member of my group buy quite a few of the Paizo products. Especially with the huge amount of stuff coming out, it will likely be pretty expensive on both of us. So I wanted to know what amount of PDF-sharing is allowed between tabletop group members. Here's a few specific scenarios that will help me get my answers:
1) If one member purchases the PDF, is he able to distribute it to the group to use at-session ONLY? Having a few laptops open with Mythic rules will certainly help us figure it out faster, as opposed to sharing one book (or being forced to buy multiples). He could bring them on a flash drive and take them home with him, nobody retaining any files except the original owner.
2) If we have a subscriber who receives both the book and PDF, and doesn't plan to use the PDF, is he allowed to 'gift' the copy of his PDF to another group member? (Not meaning specifically through the Paizo system - but I suppose he would have the ability to just re-download it).
3) Are there any other scenarios where PDF-sharing is allowed in any form?
I know basically everything is online for free on the SRD, but I vastly prefer reading book-by-book and seeing the new character options in each, as they come out. Plus the art is really pretty. :)
In short, sharing of the digital PDF file is not allowed.
None of the cases you listed are permitted by the guidelines Paizo has set out.
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This is one of the best benefits of the OGL. The Pathfinder prd will have the Core Rulebook line rules available to search online.
My group has a hard copy of each rulebook that we sit new players with or peruse for fun. The prd , d20pfsrd, and archives of Nethys give us plenty of Internet reference power.
I feel your pain though. Just imagine if Rulebook pdfs were still 40usd or more like they were before Pathfinder.
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Also, most of the pure "rulebook" PDFs are only 9.99 each, so the cost is not onerous.
And you can download the PRD using HTTrack and keep it on your laptop. I do, and usually have multiple instances open at any one time when I am running a game.
-- david
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Sharing Paizo PDFs/digital products is strongly discouraged. We understand the need to share some information with GMs/gaming groups, and the occasional printing off of a few pages here and there is OK (copying entire books or sharing the PDF them is not). Keep in mind that you are held solely responsible for the security of your PDFs, so sharing them, even with friends, is risky behavior.
Currently there is no mechanism for a subscriber to "gift" their free PDF, since this is an inherent subscriber "perk" for subscribing.
There are a few threads regarding PDF security/distribution here in the Website Feedback forum that discuss this topic (this one covers some of the main points).