In principle, the reason we pay money to purchase something has to do with the fact that someone else has put in an effort in producing the item we want and we must compensate them for their  work.  

In principle, I agree with Dr Alam but we should also take into consideration the financial status of students (and institutions) from underdeveloped countries. That said, piracy is not the answer and must not be endorsed or advocated. It should not be difficult to donate older editions to collaborating institutions from underdeveloped countries.

Shezad, you may find those books in the university library. It is just that you would have to go an extra mile and include reading time (in library) in your schedule, in case reference books are not issued due to limited copies.

many thanks sugali. i will not comment on Alam suggestion, but if anyone need ebooks about molecular biology, microbiology and immunology i would be pleased to share. but if it would be present in my e-library.  

Syed,

I agree that financial situation of a student and the institution can pose certain limitations, but as you correctly point out, there are often legally correct solutions. Even if the local library does not have the needed material, often there are cooperative arrangements between various libraries in the region or state for inter-library loans.

There are two reasons for people like I to participate in this open forum, obviously without any compensation:  1) to provide assistance to younger investigators (or those who are new to the field) who may benefit from our experience, given that negative results are nearly impossible to publish, so they do not have to waste their time in re-inventing the proverbial wheel; and 2) assists investigators from regions where for various reasons there is a lack of a robust and thriving community of researchers with whom they can easily confer.

Rule of law is not an option but a necessity for a stable society. On a broader level, I do not see poverty or the fact that others have so much that it will make virtually no difference to them, or that everyone is doing it, as a valid excuse for stealing.

There is no such thing as victimless crime. I understand that most stores have enough information to know what proportion of their merchandise are stolen and they simply add that loss to the price - meaning that those (the majority) who are honest, pay for the thieves.

If we do not agree with the cost structure of businesses, there are legitimate options. Many of us are now publishing in open journals, where we pay for publishing but anyone can download articles free of cost rather than paying $25-$75 per article charged by established publishers. A vast amount of information is already available from such sources but it may require some effort to gather the information.

1. In principal, I agree with Syed (and Tausif). But, one thing I have to point out that not only the students from the underdeveloped countries have the burning burden on the cost of textbooks they buy, it also happens to the students of developed countries such as the U.S. See these two reports below. Due to the concerns and protests from students, university bookstores have come up some new ideas: such as students can buy books at the beginning of a semester, and then sell back to the same bookstore at the end of semester, and get some money back. So, next year, the bookstores can sell the same textbook with both NEW and Used versions. "Rental' has become another way for students to 'own' the books shortly.

2. OPEN textbook library:

Due to this, some activists advocate professors to use more or go for 'OPEN' textbooks, meaning the books are licensed, and free to download and use for students.

Shehzad, check out this library [ https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/ ] to see whether any book in the library similar to the book you request. Your requested book is more like a 'technique' book than a textbook. If you cannot find it. Just check more online with keywords such as 'Open technique books' and such. I have not searched anything yet.

(1) NBC News report:

College Textbook Prices Have Risen 1,041 Percent Since 1977

[ http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/freshman-year/college-textbook-prices-have-risen-812-percent-1978-n399926 ]

(2) U.S. News & World Report:

Report: High Textbook Prices Have College Students Struggling

[ http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/28/report-high-textbook-prices-have-college-students-struggling ]

Shehzad,

I did not offer you any suggestion. It was just a gentle reminder of the facts at hand.

What you seem to be failing to see is that if such activities (analogous to robbing a bank and a volunteer providing you with the key and a getaway car  ;)  ) go on where this site is used as a "middle-man", it could effect many others who receive legitimate benefits from their peers and senior researchers.

What do you suppose will happen if a publisher decides to pursue this site with charges of assisting in piracy? Do you think that this site will have any other choice than to close down?