Arrr, Another Pirate

[cromag]

Considering the fact that I'm still saving up my writing "income" until I have enough to buy a large coffee at Starbucks, I seem to be remarkably popular with pirates. I just encountered an unauthorized "audiobook" of one of my stories. It's being hosted, free, at a website (which bears its own "copyright" notice) ... and the website posts its works on YouTube. It was posted a few weeks ago, and has already racked up several thousand views -- numbers that I can only dream about.

Of course, as any musician can tell you, having your work posted for free doesn't make it more likely that anyone will buy the original. But, as even my brother pointed out, they did a very professional job. Getting it taken down at YouTube is mostly a hassle, but really going after this would probably involve more time and money than I have.

So, has anyone else faced this? What would you do?

[arjaybe]

Drop a comment at their site and YouTube congratulating them on doing such a fine job of it, and asking them to get in touch to discuss copyright issues. Make sure that everyone understands that it's an unauthorized audiobook and show them where to find the original story.

[Lazer]

I don't think I've been pirated. I'd like to take a look at the website. If you feel uncomfortable posting a link, please PM me.

I'm sure Google would love to hear they are hosting a copyright violation on Youtube.

TL

[cromag]

I'm not uncomfortable, but I'm trying (maybe too) hard not to run afoul of the self-promotional aspects here at MR. If you Google my full name, enclosed in double quotes to keep it together, in order, with the middle initial, you'll get a YouTube hit on the first page -- that's the unauthorised audio. It will link to his site, if you're interested, but I don't know that all of the audios on his site are pirated.

I have actually found some very helpful information regarding take-down notices and procedures. I plan to contact him via his site on Monday as a first step, with maybe a comment on the YouTube video as suggested by arjaybe. I'm going to try to stay low-key and friendly, since I don't want to annoy any fans of his that might be potential customers (although I have not sold a single copy since his audio/video has been up).

[cromag]

BTW, every month or so I run Google searches on my name as well as short phrases that I think would be unique to my stories, just to see if I hit anything where it shouldn't be.

[dickloraine]

But the poor narrator lives in a non functioning car and produces these audiobooks inside it, just leaving it to charge his laptop:

Help our narrator Otis Jiry get back on his feet after being rendered homeless and without a working vehicle as a result of a family crisis. Otis has dreamed of becoming a voiceover/narration professional; however, his spouse of many years does not support that decision, and his continued efforts to create a new career for himself has driven a wedge between him and his spouse. He is now homeless, living out of a car that no longer works, and produces many of the stories you love to listen to out of that car. He uses public outlets to power his laptop, and records from inside the cabin of the car itself. Please help Otis raise money to get a working vehicle and possibly a place to live. He will not be able to continue narrating if he does not have the ability to record in a professional environment. Any extra dollar will help! If every subscriber pitches in just $1.00 each, that will raise $15,000 for Otis, and he will not only be able to purchase his own vehicle, but may be able to get back on his feet altogether. Please do what you can.

(I don't want to make fun out of him, if this is serious, but I just doubt it, especialy after your experience. And please remark, that getting a working car is more important than a place to live)

[Ninjalawyer]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Drop a comment at their site and YouTube congratulating them on doing such a fine job of it, and asking them to get in touch to discuss copyright issues. Make sure that everyone understands that it's an unauthorized audiobook and show them where to find the original story.

On the indie game scene, this has worked well for others. Stopping the piracy is a game of whack-a-mole that will drive you nuts, might as well use it to drive some sales if you can.

[BookCat]

I'd see this as a form of flattery. A sign that you're successful. However, if you want the youtube vids taken down just flag them (click the flag symbol underneath the vid) giving your reasons as copyright violation. Also, put in a copyright claim with youtube/google.

Is the audiobook crediting you as the author? I have some vids in which I read extracts from books, but name the book and author. These are not intended as pirate vids, just as something to read because my viewers find my voice soothing.

If someone chose to read something of mine and credited it to me, I would be amused and flattered by this, hoping that the listeners would go searching for other stuff by me.

[Ninjalawyer]

I think as a step 1, you should think about whether or not getting those Youtube videos and other things taken down will result in any extra sales for you.

If the answer if "no, it won't result in a single extra sale," I'd suggest not bothering at all. If you think it will result in a few (or more) sales, then go after the low hanging fruit (Youtube) first, and then reassess whether the others are worth the effort.

[avantman42]

Originally Posted by cromag

BTW, every month or so I run Google searches on my name as well as short phrases that I think would be unique to my stories, just to see if I hit anything where it shouldn't be.

I setup Google alerts on my name and book titles, so that Google will do it for me. I'm lazy like that ;-) I haven't bothered with phrases, but it would be possible to add some of those too.

[Lazer]

Well... It ain't all bad 'cause I bought it last night, read it and rated it on Amazon and Goodreads. It's a tale that Stevie King would be proud of.

Tony

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer

I think as a step 1, you should think about whether or not getting those Youtube videos and other things taken down will result in any extra sales for you.

If the answer if "no, it won't result in a single extra sale," I'd suggest not bothering at all. If you think it will result in a few (or more) sales, then go after the low hanging fruit (Youtube) first, and then reassess whether the others are worth the effort.

It's probably also worth having a think about whether or not leaving those Youtube videos up, and responding calmly and cheerfully pointing viewers to your buyables, might result in extra sales.

[crich70]

I count some 36 stories (including yours) at the website that is linked to the youtube site, and that's only recent posts. They do seem to credit you by name which is good, but I do think they should have made the effort to contact you to ask permission 1st. That would have been only polite, and if they are selling the audio story then you should be getting some of the proceeds for your work I would think as it is the source material for the actual audio recording. Just like if someone writes a story and/or script for Hollywood and it's made into a movie the original author and script writer should both be acknowledged for their part in things. I remember reading some yrs back where a movie won an Oscar and everyone was congratulating everyone else, the director, the actors, the script writer, everyone except one person. The author of the original short story without which none of the others would have had anything to be congratulated about. He didn't even receive a copy of the video or have a heads up that it was being considered. Needless to say he wasn't a happy camper. After all he said (in an article about it) how much future advertizement of his work was lost because they didn't even remember to mention his name? I'd try talking to the owner of the site, and see if something can be worked out then if that doesn't work you can go farther afield by bringing in youtube and maybe the people who run the servers on which the guy's site is set. Of course it also depends on how much time and money you want to spend on it as well. They could just decide to move to another server or something if they are booted from their present place.
They do provide links to your Amazon and goodreads page where the ebook and link to your page at Smashwords is located so at least they are providing that and not trying to resell a pirate copy of the kindle file it looks like. Still I think if it were me I would have appreciated them asking permission before posting an audio book of it. Just common courtesy I would think.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by cromag

I'm not uncomfortable, but I'm trying (maybe too) hard not to run afoul of the self-promotional aspects here at MR. If you Google my full name, enclosed in double quotes to keep it together, in order, with the middle initial, you'll get a YouTube hit on the first page -- that's the unauthorised audio. It will link to his site, if you're interested, but I don't know that all of the audios on his site are pirated.

I have actually found some very helpful information regarding take-down notices and procedures. I plan to contact him via his site on Monday as a first step, with maybe a comment on the YouTube video as suggested by arjaybe. I'm going to try to stay low-key and friendly, since I don't want to annoy any fans of his that might be potential customers (although I have not sold a single copy since his audio/video has been up).

Well you did sell a copy tonight. I just bought one over at Smashwords.

[Ninjalawyer]

Originally Posted by crich70

I count some 36 stories (including yours) at the website that is linked to the youtube site, and that's only recent posts. They do seem to credit you by name which is good, but I do think they should have made the effort to contact you to ask permission 1st. That would have been only polite, and if they are selling the audio story then you should be getting some of the proceeds for your work I would think as it is the source material for the actual audio recording. Just like if someone writes a story and/or script for Hollywood and it's made into a movie the original author and script writer should both be acknowledged for their part in things. I remember reading some yrs back where a movie won an Oscar and everyone was congratulating everyone else, the director, the actors, the script writer, everyone except one person. The author of the original short story without which none of the others would have had anything to be congratulated about. He didn't even receive a copy of the video or have a heads up that it was being considered. Needless to say he wasn't a happy camper. After all he said (in an article about it) how much future advertizement of his work was lost because they didn't even remember to mention his name? I'd try talking to the owner of the site, and see if something can be worked out then if that doesn't work you can go farther afield by bringing in youtube and maybe the people who run the servers on which the guy's site is set. Of course it also depends on how much time and money you want to spend on it as well. They could just decide to move to another server or something if they are booted from their present place.
They do provide links to your Amazon and goodreads page where the ebook and link to your page at Smashwords is located so at least they are providing that and not trying to resell a pirate copy of the kindle file it looks like. Still I think if it were me I would have appreciated them asking permission before posting an audio book of it. Just common courtesy I would think.

Wow...