Comments on: Romance Writers Defend Copyright http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/ Copyright Information Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:02:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: The Copyright Alliance Blog » Blog Archive » Whacking Infringement http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/#comment-16468 The Copyright Alliance Blog » Blog Archive » Whacking Infringement Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:12:01 +0000 #comment-16468 [...] been following Scribd for awhile. Not everything on there is infringed. There are some authors who voluntarily post works there, and [...] [...] been following Scribd for awhile. Not everything on there is infringed. There are some authors who voluntarily post works there, and [...]

]]> By: The Copyright Alliance Blog » Blog Archive » The Virus Spreads http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/#comment-1601 The Copyright Alliance Blog » Blog Archive » The Virus Spreads Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:33:10 +0000 #comment-1601 [...] written before about how it’s not just music and movies that suffer piracy online; anything that can be [...] [...] written before about how it’s not just music and movies that suffer piracy online; anything that can be [...]

]]> By: Anonymous http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/#comment-15 Anonymous Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-15 <p>Very well said.  </p><p>Too many people have this lovely fantasy that any published writer is automatically rich and it isn't going to hurt if they take this book or that.  Very wrong.  It does hurt and in some instances, especially like epublishing, it can hurt A LOT.</p> Very well said. 

Too many people have this lovely fantasy that any published writer is automatically rich and it isn't going to hurt if they take this book or that.  Very wrong.  It does hurt and in some instances, especially like epublishing, it can hurt A LOT.

]]> By: Anonymous http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/#comment-16 Anonymous Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-16 <p>As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between hosting an e-pirate website and being a "fence" for stolen property.  They both knowingly facilitate the illegal transfer of goods obtained falsely and deprive the rightful owners of income. We - the publishing community - must get together much like the music industry did to make Congress step up to protect our property rights. </p><p> </p> As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between hosting an e-pirate website and being a "fence" for stolen property.  They both knowingly facilitate the illegal transfer of goods obtained falsely and deprive the rightful owners of income. We – the publishing community – must get together much like the music industry did to make Congress step up to protect our property rights.

 

]]> By: Anonymous http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/#comment-17 Anonymous Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17 <p>As a romance writer, I can only say--hoorah! RWA is doing what it can, but we need all the help we can get in making readers aware of what a disservice they do the writers they claim to love when they download our books for free. And yes, I've found my books on some of the sites in the list compiled by RWA.</p><p>I've seen all sorts of defenses for this behavior from people who want to believe it isn't really stealing. One argument is that downloading pirated copies is not the same as, say, shoplifting, because with shoplifting the physical object is no longer available for sale, while my book is still for sale no matter how many illegal copies are downloaded.</p><p>Pffft. Theft doesn't depend on a physical object changing hands unlawfully. There's theft of services, for example. Identity theft. Probably more examples that I haven't thought of.</p><p>Bottom line: stealing is still stealing, even when it's really easy to do. Even when no physical object changes hands. Even when your friends do it. Even when you're unlikely to get caught and punished.  And offering a book for free on the Internet is not the same as passing around a paperback you think your friends will enjoy. </p><p> </p> As a romance writer, I can only say–hoorah! RWA is doing what it can, but we need all the help we can get in making readers aware of what a disservice they do the writers they claim to love when they download our books for free. And yes, I've found my books on some of the sites in the list compiled by RWA.

I've seen all sorts of defenses for this behavior from people who want to believe it isn't really stealing. One argument is that downloading pirated copies is not the same as, say, shoplifting, because with shoplifting the physical object is no longer available for sale, while my book is still for sale no matter how many illegal copies are downloaded.

Pffft. Theft doesn't depend on a physical object changing hands unlawfully. There's theft of services, for example. Identity theft. Probably more examples that I haven't thought of.

Bottom line: stealing is still stealing, even when it's really easy to do. Even when no physical object changes hands. Even when your friends do it. Even when you're unlikely to get caught and punished.  And offering a book for free on the Internet is not the same as passing around a paperback you think your friends will enjoy.

 

]]> By: Anonymous http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/04/romance_writers_defend_copyright/#comment-21 Anonymous Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-21 Nice to hear from some rightsholders on this blog, thanks for posting. We all need to do our part to increase awareness among consumers and policymakers that rights aren't optional in this country. Nice to hear from some rightsholders on this blog, thanks for posting. We all need to do our part to increase awareness among consumers and policymakers that rights aren't optional in this country.

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