I know some items are dated in advance. "2014" cars are made months before 2014. However, I didn't know books could be dated in advance. When trying to sell a book, I saw online that it was a 2008 edition, which matches the copyright year in the book. I used the book in Fall 2007, so it was made before 2008. I checked a book I used in Fall 2006, and it was copyright 2007. How far in advance is it normal to date a book? Is there a specific date range for a book to be copyrighted each year (for example July 2013 to June 2014 for 2014 books if dates could be up to six months in advance)?
I would like to know where we can download textbooks instead of buying them at those ridiculous prices.
It is now common for new editions of textbooks to indicate copyright year that is a few months later than the actual release date. As @EvanJ described, it is usually for Fall semester usage texts being dated for the upcoming year.