Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
I think your relative was doing you a favour. People discover new authors through recommendations. I do understand that you don't share this view.
And this is where I think good watermarking can help. Not the part of watermarking that's hidden but a nice big up-front 'Ex-Libris' page with a pretty graphic, details of the original purchasor, ebook store, perhaps even price paid, and an author's signature.
Remind people that the copy they've been given to read isn't really theirs - that it's effectively a loaned book.
I would actually LIKE to have well-done watermarking in this way, so that I don't have to keep track of where I bought an ebook myself! And a pretty graphic and signature of the author to make it a feature. I was disappointed by the watermarking in the HP books, which was very dull.
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I agree--If the aim is to stop casual sharing, then a hidden watermark isn't going to do that...all it's going to do is get Aunt Sally sued by the publisher for sharing with her book club, because she didn't know any better. If there must be watermarking, make it big and obvious and beautiful at the beginning of the book. All of my paper books have a sticker on the inside cover with a picture and my name and the date I bought the book. I would love to have something like that automatically inserted into my e-books.
Also, in that same theme, maybe putting in a statement from the author, something like "I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please know that a lot of work went into creating this book for you, and if you didn't pay for the book, I'm not getting compensated for it. Just as I wouldn't expect you to work for free, I hope you don't expect me to. Please send $5.99 to <author's paypal>" (or the publisher's account, or whatever. Don't accuse, just remind and suggest.
Again, this wouldn't stop the dedicated pirate, but it may deter casual sharing.
Shari