A while ago I watched a film I bought on DVD called
The Corporation. It was an amazing documentary and it ended with these words:
Quote:
|
If you have watched this film for free and you have enjoyed it, please consider going to our website and donating. The film was made by dedicated, independent filmmakers who have spent the better part of the past nine years funding, producing and promoting this film. Please send a monetary thank-you note to the filmmakers for their years of effort making and promoting the film.
|
I found that fantastic as the film is very easily found online (mutliple times uploaded on YT) and the publishers don't seem to mind. I LOVED it.
I NEVER buy any book for which I'm not sure of its quality, so that means I almost never buy books from new authors. I only borrow them from the library or friends and if I like it enough I'll buy it for myself and my family. And I think that's the only fair thing to do as I feel robbed (both for my money AND time) when I buy a bad book/film.
If an author was to offer their eBook (that costs nothing to distribute) for free, and the book was good, they'd be able to earn money directly with no middle-men for it through donations. But writers pay their publishers not just for publishing the book but for advertising it and "pushing" it. Hence the DRM.