Electronic Readers Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader -- Are the Books You Install Yours?

Many of us, after reading a book that we like or think someone else would like, pass the book along. And some of us sell our read books online or donate them to libraries. With the new electronic text reading devices, that transfer of possession isn't possible in a traditional sense. But if the other person has a Kindle or Sony Reader, is it legal to pass the book along in a more modern sense -- digitally?

The Columbia Science and Technology Law Review discusses the sharing, borrowing, and transferability of books purchased to be used on the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. The author(s) conclude that the question of ownership of electronic texts purchased under restrictive licenses will have to be decided in the courts. Until then, there will be a presumption that the licenses are enforceable.