Mary Stewart - Arthurian Saga

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I'm agreeing with JSWolf that the editions in question are being fraudulently published by a third party without payment to the author's estate.

I am not suggesting that the editions in question are really being published by Harper Collins under some kind of rights grab.

It's a shame. I've even contacted authors before when something like this was suspect. In some cases, they are not able to handle the situation (some of these folks are quite elderly as was the case when I sent off an email). Those in charge of the estate may be completely unaware how to handle it or if they should. There may be no one really in charge either. Death can be very messy.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I'm agreeing with JSWolf that the editions in question are being fraudulently published by a third party without payment to the author's estate.

Using Hodder's cover art and not being listed as "HarperCollins Publishers
Price set by seller" in the price box and also not being shown as Sold By Harper Collins in the book info, but instead by Amazon Digital Services LLC (which are books self-pubbed or by small pubs generally) certainly are odd.



Jon, I provided you with her nieces name in the other long thread about this and pointed out that sometimes when estates/authors self-pub something that they wrongly will appropriate a publishers cover art from another edition and will also list a books current/former print publisher as the publisher.

Did you contact the estate to verify that these aren't something they're putting out themselves?

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Using Hodder's cover art and not being listed as "HarperCollins Publishers
Price set by seller" in the price box and also not being shown as Sold By Harper Collins in the book info, but instead by Amazon Digital Services LLC (which are books self-pubbed or by small pubs generally) certainly are odd.



Jon, I provided you with her nieces name in the other long thread about this and pointed out that sometimes when estates/authors self-pub something that they wrongly will appropriate a publishers cover art from another edition and will also list a books current/former print publisher as the publisher.

Did you contact the estate to verify that these aren't something they're putting out themselves?

I think he already answered that question by repeatably ignoring it.

Well, this should be easy enough to settle. I just sent an email to HarperCollins to see what they say about it. I'll post any response that I get.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I can buy those books perfectly legal, even at kobo btw (which I won't do as it has DRM), but it all depends on your frame of reference. Just saying you cannot buy those ebooks legally is simply not telling the whole truth. It's a matter of perspective. If I look from this side of the ocean it's legal, if you look from the other side, it's not. And that's the most silly thing about these publishing rights...

Buying the UK versions in the US is a matter of geo-restrictions. Knowingly buying the versions up on Amazon.com is aiding and abetting. You are knowingly purchasing illegal copies that should not be available for sale anyplace in the world.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

When I contacted Amazon about the pirated version of some of the Roger Zelazny ebooks, they said they would check on it and it was taken down within a week. I checked with Amazon about these particular books last fall and was told they were legit. Of course, this was a customer service rep and not Amazon legal, so it's hardly authoritarian, but it's pretty obvious that some here don't understand the legalities of the matter.

Once Amazon is made aware of the questionable legal status of an ebook, they are no longer protected by the safe harbor clause. Tying a pirated ebook to a legit audiobook would also increase their legal liability if Lady Stewart's estate decided to sue over the matter.

Rather interestingly, none of the reviews claim that it's a pirated version. Usually, with a questionable ebook, people who care enough to review the book, are the first to point out that it isn't a legit copy. With the Zelazny ebook mentioned above, the reviews were all "This is a pirated copy, don't buy".

These may possibly be good enough forgeries that most cannot tell they are illegal.

There is plenty of evidence to say they are bogus. Why do you persists in thinking they are legit when clearly they are not? Where is your proof?

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

These may possibly be good enough forgeries that most cannot tell they are illegal.

There is plenty of evidence to say they are bogus. Why do you persists in thinking they are legit when clearly they are not? Where is your proof?

I've already given my reasons for thinking they are legit. We will see what HarperCollins, the US publisher of record has to say.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Buying the UK versions in the US is a matter of geo-restrictions. Knowingly buying the versions up on Amazon.com is aiding and abetting. You are knowingly purchasing illegal copies that should not be available for sale anyplace in the world.

And only a small number of people will know that. The average person wouldn't know one way or the other, nor would they even care.

[Catlady]

And ... why is the legitimacy of the e-books a subject for debate in the audiobooks forum anyway?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

And only a small number of people will know that. The average person wouldn't know one way or the other, nor would they even care.

But for the purposes of this thread, it has been said and is known. So why are others still thinking the eBooks are legit? There is no way the UK cover would be used in the US when the other bogus books use some version US covers.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Catlady

And ... why is the legitimacy of the e-books a subject for debate in the audiobooks forum anyway?

Because that's where this thread is. Also, it's relevant because the audiobooks are linked to illegal eBooks.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Because that's where this thread is. Also, it's relevant because the audiobooks are linked to illegal eBooks.

And because you'd rather continue beating a dead horse instead of contacting the people who can do something about it. Still haven't seen your reason for refusing to do that when you clearly feel so passionate about this.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Catlady

And because you'd rather continue beating a dead horse instead of contacting the people who can do something about it. Still haven't seen your reason for refusing to do that when you clearly feel so passionate about this.

I did report the books on Amazon.com and it's up to Amazon to do something about it. According to pdurrant, Hodder & Stoughton are trying to get them removed from Amazon.com. So really, there's not much else to do. if you're so worried about the correct authorities being contacted, then please do so.

Do you know who has the rights to the the eBooks in the US (if such was wanted to be legally made and sold) and how to contact the appropriate person(s)?

[pdurrant]

I have reported these to Harper Collins's piracy subcontractor, Digimarc. I've had boilerplate back that they are looking at it, but I'm not hopeful, as I don't think that Harper Collins has the USA rights to the ebook.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I did report the books on Amazon.com and it's up to Amazon to do something about it. According to pdurrant, Hodder & Stoughton are trying to get them removed from Amazon.com. So really, there's not much else to do. if you're so worried about the correct authorities being contacted, then please do so.

Do you know who has the rights to the the eBooks in the US (if such was wanted to be legally made and sold) and how to contact the appropriate person(s)?

I'm not the one who is all hot and bothered about the books; you are. So you are the one who should follow through instead of engaging in this fruitless debate.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm not the one who is all hot and bothered about the books; you are. So you are the one who should follow through instead of engaging in this fruitless debate.

But, you're the one who has no problem buying illegal eBooks.