Authors unhappy with Kindle Unlimited

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

No, they are a distributor. Smashwords is a distributor as well. Neither does any of the other parts of publishing. All of that is up to authors and publishers.

I go by the listed publisher. I suppose that the difference is that one holds the copyrights while the other doesn't?

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

I go by the listed publisher. I suppose that the difference is that one holds the copyrights while the other doesn't?

Well, the publisher files for copyright for the author in the trad world, but yes, the author still holds copyright. The differences are really in who does the work. A trad publisher is traditionally responsible for upfront costs that include editing/cover art/some marketing as well as deciding who distributes the book, warehousing in the case of print copies, etc. So in my case I am both publisher and author. Distributors are different--some accept a publisher name and some don't. For example, Smashword shows me as the publisher, but when they distribute to Apple or Kobo and the like, it shows them as the publisher or as the imprint (they are really neither). But on Amazon it allows me to show Bear Mountain Books as the publisher and "sold by" Amazon.

It varies and it often changes too. More often, these days fields are being added to more accurately reflect a publisher name, author name and some sort of distribution designator.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Well, the publisher files for copyright for the author in the trad world, but yes, the author still holds copyright.

Why would anyone need to "file for copyright"? File with whom? In any country which is a signatory to the Berne Copyright Convention, copyright automatically exists the instant the work is created.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why would anyone need to "file for copyright"? File with whom? In any country which is a signatory to the Berne Copyright Convention, copyright automatically exists the instant the work is created.

The Library of Congress has ways to publicly register copyright. It may automatically exist, but if it is registered then somebody else cannot claim it as theirs. I believe webpages can be registered as well - without it it might be hard to prove in court that somebody stole from it. From the LOC FAQ:
http://copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why would anyone need to "file for copyright"? File with whom? In any country which is a signatory to the Berne Copyright Convention, copyright automatically exists the instant the work is created.

If you ever have to sue for damages, it must be registered. Yes, actual copyright is automatic but for court purposes, the registration has the date and other details on file. You can sue for "desist" and takedown without registration, but for monetary damages or to recover monies made by other parties, you need to register.

There have already been multiple cases of thieves stealing books from Amazon and uploading them. When the original author finds out, it is much easier to send them the copyright notice to prove ownership and get the rogue copy taken down. The thieves have hit many a trad author (someone took a freebie Ilona Andrews put up and loaded it for sale on Amazon) and many a self-published author.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

If you ever have to sue for damages, it must be registered.

I believe this is only the case in the US. I'm not aware of any other country which even offers the ability to file a copyright.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe this is only the case in the US. I'm not aware of any other country which even offers the ability to file a copyright.

Yes, and since I am in the US, (well, even if I wasn't and knew the rules, I'd do it anyway) that's how I file. It costs 35 dollars to file and can be done electronically. I don't know of any thieves (yet) that have bothered to spend the money to file before attempting to rip of the originator.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe this is only the case in the US. I'm not aware of any other country which even offers the ability to file a copyright.

I don't understand. In Spain, you can registry your writings, I believe. I have to ask but I think so.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I don't understand. In Spain, you can registry your writings, I believe. I have to ask but I think so.

I did say that I wasn't aware of any other country in which copyright registration was possible. It's entirely possible - probable, even - that there are countries with registration processes of which I am unaware.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by Rizla

I am not saying much of what you seem to be attributing to me. Re: perusing a la bibliotheque, Amazon already offers a preview facility for books which is quite adequate and equivalent to perusing a book.

If the book is "free" to borrow, why would I go through the trouble of reading the preview first? There's no benefit to the reader, so that idea falls through. Readers won't do that.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by shalym

So...if you're downloading with Kindle for PC, you must be using Kindle for PC to read, right? Because we've already established that you shouldn't be removing the DRM from a borrowed book.

I'm curious...all this talk about how Amazon is being unfair to authors because they only get paid when the book is read to at least 10%...how do Scribd and Oyster pay the author? Do they just get a flat rate every month for being included in the service? Do they get paid when someone borrows the book, whether the book is read or not?

Shari

Can you not sideload your KU books to your kindle authorized device?

Helen

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by twowheels

If the book is "free" to borrow, why would I go through the trouble of reading the preview first? There's no benefit to the reader, so that idea falls through. Readers won't do that.

Just to see if it's a book you might be interested in? I'm sure that some readers won't bother and other readers would.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Can you not sideload your KU books to your kindle authorized device?

Helen

You can, but this was in response to JSWolf, who doesn't have a Kindle, only Kindle for PC.

Shari

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Just to see if it's a book you might be interested in? I'm sure that some readers won't bother and other readers would.

To be honest I can't see why anyone would go to the trouble of downloading a sample of a free book. It's less trouble to simply download the whole book, and delete it if you don't like it than to download the sample, and then download the whole book if you enjoy the sample.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by HarryT

To be honest I can't see why anyone would go to the trouble of downloading a sample of a free book. It's less trouble to simply download the whole book, and delete it if you don't like it than to download the sample, and then download the whole book if you enjoy the sample.

One reason to sample a KU book instead of downloading is the 10-book limit. You might be looking at possibilities for future reading before you're ready to delete something you've already borrowed.