Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitch
Yes, Shari:
But who is penalized, in that circumstance? It's not you, or the other people who want a given book back in circulation. What if the inheritor is not wealthy, or just getting by? What, they have to give up their rights, to the book, because they can't pay the tax or fee? What if they can't AFFORD to publish the book? You can't be sure that that person will inherit a publishable format--a print layout, or an ebook, etc. Hell, if it's like most of the people I see, with a book that they inherited from X, they're lucky if it's in print. What if all they get is a copy of the book, in hardcover? You have any idea what it costs, to have a book scanned, proofed, yadda-yadda, to reissue?
Sorry. I don't agree. This constantly, constantly comes back to an idea that the rights of the many outweigh the rights of the creator or his family. I just can't get on board with that. It's never some scheme that would PAY the family, or this or that, to republish the books; it's always about TAKING or penalizing. I realize you didn't think of it that way, but....that's what it is, if the inheritor has low funds and no skills to do it him/herself. A book that was trade-pubbed X years ago may have ZERO interest now, in the publishing community, so the ONLY option to put that book back out is for the family to field the costs themselves. And if they don't, they get penalized with a tax or fee?
I have clients like this--that can't afford to republish Pop's book or what-have-you and have no ability do DIY.
What if they print 20 copies? What if they retype it, and print 10 copies? Then, it's back in circulation. Do they get taxed or assessed then?
You guys, you're just...I don't think you're thinking through the realities of what you're suggesting. If it were me, and someone else was trying to PENALIZE me, for inheriting a family member's books, I would bygod make sure that I printed 5 copies, hell, even if I had to buy an ISBN to do it, and then I just wouldn't distribute them. THEN WHAT would the penalty police do? They're printed. Musta been all bought. Then what?????
Hitch
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What in the world are you talking about?? I'm talking about paying $20 per year to keep a copyright alive. Who are the penalty police? If a book is being sold, then of course they will be taxed on the income that comes from the book, but if it's not, then why would they be taxed or "penalized"? Nobody is "penalizing" anyone.
With my idea, it wouldn't matter if you printed 5 copies, or 1,000 copies, or no copies--you pay your $20 per year to keep the copyright alive. There's no penalty for publishing or not publishing, except, as I said, for the income tax that may have to be paid on any sold copies.
Shari