Sharing the e-book "The Master Key System"

I downloaded (legally) and have begun to read The Master Key System, a book published in 1916 and now being offered by www.TheSecret.tv. The second page of the book states the following:

The original text is now in the public domain.

However, this free e-book edition is not in the public domain. It cannot
be shared, distributed or reproduced in whole or in part.

If you would like to share this e-book with others please direct
them to our web site www.thesecret.tv
where a legitimate copy can be downloaded for free.

What is different from this e-book than the original?

• It has been digitized
• It has a new front cover
• There is a new preface

Indeed the people from TheSecret.tv have created a derivative work. In fact, they did what many digitization projects do -- took something in that is in the public domain and made it available to a new audience by creating an electronic copy. Having done that work, they ask that people register (free) with them to receive a copy, rather than getting a copy from someone else. However, they've done nothing to prevent people from sharing copies. And no parts of the e-book contain a copyright statement (although copyright on the preface would be implied).

I wish the people from TheSecret.tv had thought more about how they were sharing the book. For example:

• Why should people go to their web site to obtain a copy? If you want me to go to your web site to do something, tell me why there is a benefit to doing so. Why should I take the extra steps? What's in it for me?
• Why shouldn't people share their copies? What's in it for them if they don't share the e-book?
  
• Can you make it easy for people to share a link or recommend the e-book?
  
• What does it mean that this e-book isn't in the public domain? Does that mean that it is copyrighted (which they never state)? Can this be explained better so it makes sense to users?

If you have read this far, think about the things on your web site -- perhaps as part of your digitization program -- that you want people to use.

• Have you made it clear what they can do with the materials and how?
• Have you made using the materials easy?
• If you don't want people to share the materials, have you explained that in a way that makes sense to them? Have you given them easy options for sharing pointers or links to the materials?

We tend to shy away from the explicit, yet it clears up doubts when we say what we really mean. And it helps those around us when we not only say what we mean, but then give them tools to easy comply with our wishes. (I'm thinking of how easy it is to e-mail blog post link from Bloglines.) If we do those things, our users will thank us.