Bernie's example may not be practical and it is not likely
to 
become common practice.  However, here are some common
practices:

* Individuals donate their journal collection to library
after 
retirement or death.

* Doctor's offices or any place has a waiting room keep
personal 
subscriptions for customers to read.

Can John provide case name or citation number of the
"successful 
legal action" against this practice?  It seems to
contradict to 
US Code (17 U.S.C. 109) mentioned by Kevin Smith of Duke.

---
Xiaotian Chen
Electronic Services Librarian
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois 61625
309-677-2839
http://hi
lltop.bradley.edu/~chen/index.html