Copyright notice wording

[Native]

Some of the "don’t steal this" statements after the copyright notice sound a bit heavy-handed. I'm wondering if simplifying it to this would still cover the necessary bases:
"Copyright 2012 Eric Bergstrom. This ebook is licensed for personal use only, and may not be re-distributed. Thank you for respecting the livelihood of this author."
Any thoughts - legal or otherwise? Thanks.

[VydorScope]

I just use the simple text from Smashwords:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

and I have

Copyright 2012 Vincent Trigili

[SteveEisenberg]

Reader reaction:

Smashwords sounds legalistic and is indeed too long. The part about returning and buying it again is, if you take it literally, bizarre.

Native's text reads well. However, like anything of its kind, it reminds the reader that piracy is possible.

If I was considering piracy, these kinds of reminders would cause pangs of regret. But since I'm anti-piracy, this means nothing.

[VydorScope]

I personally think that 99% of readers do not even read the copyright page. Its there as a legal need, not for readers. I have had readers (who are members here even) ask me if I had any more books, when I have listed more books in both the beginning and end of the novel they read and claimed to love. Readers just seem to flip till they see the novel start, and read till it ends. So I have not spent much thought on the wording of it. I do not think anyone should. Use a boiler plate one, and move on.

[charlesatan]

I'd just stick with: "Copyright 2012 Eric Bergstrom"

[GA Russell]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I personally think that 99% of readers do not even read the copyright page. Its there as a legal need, not for readers. I have had readers (who are members here even) ask me if I had any more books, when I have listed more books in both the beginning and end of the novel they read and claimed to love. Readers just seem to flip till they see the novel start, and read till it ends. So I have not spent much thought on the wording of it. I do not think anyone should. Use a boiler plate one, and move on.

Vydorscope, you've given me an idea! When I have my second and more books published, I'll have the "Other Books by the Author" page at the end rather than the beginning.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I personally think that 99% of readers do not even read the copyright page. Its there as a legal need, not for readers. I have had readers (who are members here even) ask me if I had any more books, when I have listed more books in both the beginning and end of the novel they read and claimed to love. Readers just seem to flip till they see the novel start, and read till it ends. So I have not spent much thought on the wording of it. I do not think anyone should. Use a boiler plate one, and move on.

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Vydorscope, you've given me an idea! When I have my second and more books published, I'll have the "Other Books by the Author" page at the end rather than the beginning.

Ha. Me too.
I never stop being amazed at how good readers (have to be if they read my work) don't read all the stuff I cram in. Notes. Map legends. Character references. Chapter headings and explanations. Inspirations. Books published. Books coming. Book Links. Series.

One intelligent reader who seems to have read only book 2 of a multi-vol series expresses delight at a complicated mechanism I employed for the really intense fan, and shows real comprehension of the subtle underlying thread that runs in several diverse chapters, then writes something like "really great. Are you going to write any more books?"
I guess they didn't make the "vol 2 of xyz series" on the front cover big enough.


I've been very busy, but I had to comment on that!

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Reader reaction:

Smashwords sounds legalistic and is indeed too long. The part about returning and buying it again is, if you take it literally, bizarre.

Especially since Smashwords won't let you re-buy something you've already bought, even if you bought it with a coupon or it was one of those pay what you like books and you underestimated how much it would be worth to you.

Everywhere other than Smashwords I just use (book title) Copyright © (year) by (name). All rights reserved.

[Native]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

Everywhere other than Smashwords I just use (book title) Copyright © (year) by (name). All rights reserved.

Yeah, I like that better. I too basically follow the Smashwords requirements, but the style runs counter to the way I want to write, and seems like a bad beginning for the occasional person who might actually read it. Thanks all.

[Todd Young]

I use this:


Copyright © 2012 Todd Young

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the copyright holder.

I think you're supposed to say "all rights reserved."

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Todd Young

I use this:


Copyright © 2012 Todd Young

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the copyright holder.

I think you're supposed to say "all rights reserved."

"All rights reserved" is not required.

And saying "no part may be copied in any manner whatsoever" sounds like you don't allow reviewers to quote a few sentences.

Written permission is not legally required to use copyrighted material, although that may be a warning for "if you didn't get written permission even though I told you you could use it, I might sue you anyway."