From: Erec ~ Links
I Steal Books From Hard Working Authors
Lars Ulrich was a Danish thrash metal drummer for the band Metallica. In 2000 with the whole Napster deal hitting the headlines and the music industry facing it’s swiftly approaching demise Lars took it upon himself to proclaim Napster as a crime against humanity and any of the people using Napster as Nazi pirates from hell. Lars made a business issue a personal problem and responded by attacking those he felt were wrong.
Now the lesson I want to bring up here is a small one but one I think needs to be gone over in view of this link I found on Erec today.
Was anything Lars said about downloading music for free wrong?
No, Lars Ulrich was right. He was pretty dang accurate. He had every right as an individual to let the world know what he felt about Napster and what he felt about piracy etc etc etc. Lars Ulrich was correct at all times.
Lars Ulrich might have also just taken his career as a thrash metal drummer and the top ten hit track record of Metallica and wiped his ass with them the next time he went poopies.
Because that is what happened boys and girls.
Lars Ulrich forgot that as a public persona, an artist, he could not ever afford to be seen as unappreciative of his fans for even a moment and never ever be seen as actually attacking or disparaging his fans. Even if they were like totally wrong and he was totally right.
Now this may seem unfair and unjust children. I hate to tell you but the world is an unfair and unjust place. Lars Ulrich could tell you all about that big bad world now and how it treats unprofessional losers also called “Pigeons of Shit Metal”.
Maybe what Lars said was correct. Maybe what Lars felt was right. In the end Lars did all the wrong things all while “he felt he was right”. Just never forget… justifying your argument is very different from justifying your actions.
That is why I say I don’t care how right you “think” you are just make sure you are not caught “acting out” like the next Lars Ulrich. What a sad, childish, and pathetic end for any artist.
*note to self: Next time the spell checker says I am being dyslexic I will believe what it says.
Tags: eBook Commentary
Lena Matthews wrote,
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t have a single problem with you associating me with Lars Ulrich. Don’t get me wrong, I see what you’re implying, but it doesn’t bother me at all. You know why, because I’m very appreciative of my fans. I tell them this all the time. I show them this by hosting contests, doing meet and greets, as well as spending time with them on a daily basis on my yahoo group and Facebook page.
My fans know me. More importantly they SUPPORT what I’m doing. I’ve received countless emails stating just this since I first mentioned this last week on my Facebook page.
These people, who are illegally up loading books and illegally downloading them, are not fans. They may be people who read the books, but they are not fans.
A fan is an ardent devotee; an enthusiast. Someone who not only cares about the work but also supports it. So I actually hope my blog alienates them and they never want to buy another book from me to illegally upload so THOUSANDS can download it for free. With fans like that what do I need in-laws (sorry I meant enemies, lol) for.
Back to your point though, I’m a big girl. I’ll gladly take the mud anyone slings in my face with a big grin and a thank you kindly because I realize one thing. THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT ME. This is about the “big picture”. About authors who can’t afford to lose money, doing so because people are illegally uploading their material and giving it away for free.
Oh and by the way I have dyslexia too, so if you made any mistakes I didn’t notice.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“My fans know me.”
LOL! They do now.
God, you are a piece of fucking work you pathetic self indulgent asshole.
“THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT ME.”
Yes it is sweet cheeks. Yes it is. You are so ignorant and clueless you just keep playing the clown. Victim of the world. Poor poor you. Strike up the band! Get your cheering squad ready while you attack some more. Make sure we see every detail and excruciating mark from the drama you get into because you just do not understand how anyone could say something meany weeny about little old you.
Draw attention to your strong points because nothing else will ever matter to you as your focus narrows. You have an agenda now and that works for you more than your apparent insecurities about your talent or your writing.
How about fuck the hell off nimrod? You my dear are out to lunch crazy time.
Is that clear or do you need me to spell it out?
My Sunday School teacher had more brains than what you are spewing out.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
A self indulgent asshole? Really? All because I disagreed with you? After reading your post, I think it’s plain to see that one of us is in fact an asshole, but it isn’t me.
Not once was I rude to you.
Not once did I curse you or spew insulting things at you, but I’m the one who’s insecure.
Right….
We could disagree with out being disagreeable. Or at least I can.
You have a blessed day now.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
No, I see how you treat total strangers with no clue what you are talking about.
Let’s keep a “good Christian” distance shall we and call it what it is. Good Housekeeping.
I like my trash on the corner thank you.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
How I treat total strangers. Dude you called me an asshole. You need a hug. Very very badly.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Carmen wrote,
Fans don’t steal your work. I am a fan of Beyonce. I BUY her CDs. I pay to see her in concert… That’s a fan… Do you work for free?? This is our JOB. We create a product and we expect to be paid for our work. If you don’t like my books that’s fine, don’t read them but don’t download them for free and then refer to yourself as a FAN. Cool, I’ll be labeled self-indulgent but taking what’s not yours makes you a thief and a criminal.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Um yeah what else do you call those attacks and posts on your site. Welcoming? Caring? Good Natured? Constructively addressing a real issue?
No, those are blatant attacks on complete strangers and you have set yourself up as judge and jury on high. Lena Matthews has spoken.
Well fuck the hell off Lena Matthews. Am I the first? Oh, I so hope I popped that cherry!
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
Ohhh so I’m an asshole for calling people out for stealing and for helping authors get their work taking down. So what does that make them? Or what does that make you for your hostile vile behavior towards me?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
The truth sweet cheeks. All caring and coy just like you are. Get used to it. You want to be righteous and omnipotent then face the music little god monster.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
I don’t consider myself a “Christian” Teddy and from your behavior here today, I sure in hell hope you don’t either. Because…damn.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Well, I could not tell from all the preaching going on.
You got a whole show and it looks like the choir is now showing up.
Testify! Or is it justify?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
God monster? blink blink blink *crickets chirping* okkaaayyyy. So I’m a God Monster and you’re the truth? Did I understand that correctly?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
So everyone is wrong but you? You think your behavior here tonight is somehow better than anything I’ve done?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
STH wrote,
So now we’re in the business of blaming the actual victims? I suggest some people look up the word pirate in the dictionary. As someone else already pointed out, TRUE fans do not steal from artists, they support them buy obtaining the work LEGALLY. I don’t understand why that is such a hard concept to grasp. I’m guessing the author of this particular article is a fan of theft and if that is the case, then by all means own that position. Trying to make a case for people not being called out for their illegal deeds is quite silly. If someone comes in your house and steals your property and they are caught guess what…they’re going to jail. So while jail may not be the ultimate goal for these brave authors working to protect their intellectual property, publicly calling them out may deter them from being thieves. As an avid reader, I’m in full support of this movement.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Sure as shit, I only hurt one person by slapping them upside the head. Can you say that?
I did not even have to buy a whole domain name to do it with either.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
I went on bloggger, I didn’t buy anything. Blogger is free, just in case you were wondering. So hurting one person is okay. It’s hurting more than one that really pisses God off. One of those things you should have learned from your Sunday School Teacher was that “all sins are equal in the eyes of the lord.”
You’re not better than me. So if I’m an asshole, I’m going to need you to pull up a roll of toilet paper because boo, you’re one too.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“So now we’re in the business of blaming the actual victims?”
No, I am attacking an attacker who could care less whatever the real facts are.
Only real idiots who believe their shit don’t stink think that lynch mobs are A OK.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
From Wiki: Lynching is an extrajudicial execution carried out by a mob, often by hanging, but also by burning at the stake or shooting, in order to punish an alleged transgressor, or to intimidate, control, or otherwise manipulate a population of people.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
Real facts? Like photographic proof of email address, photographic proof of uploading, photographic proof of requesting said illegal documents, photographic proof of names. All those facts?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Lena honey you don’t “get it” do you?
You are so lost you do not get the fact you do not know EVERYTHING. You do not represent the law. You are not a judge or a court.
You are such a loser you think what you are doing is fine.
Please dear, shut your mouth now before you dig your grave any lower.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
BrandNu wrote,
I do believe that the moment you resorted to namecalling any validity to your argument went out the window. You were clearly upset before Ms. Matthews ever commented and really you are just making yourself look more demented everytime you post the ranting.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
So since you can’t dispute my REAL FACTS you go back to name calling? You are such a child! Grow up and learn how to have a discussion like a big boy.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Liz Andrews wrote,
Teddy, I don’t know you but I really must ask, why does every single one of your posts in this thread have an insult/name calling? Is this really necessary for you to get your point across or to state your opinion? It seems odd.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Real facts? Lena I do not want to hear your crap.
You are an example of what not to do! You have personified bad author behavior in an extreme way.
I am not your fan and I am not a friend. I would have still told you not to do what you did in the first place.
I will wait to hear about you getting into legal trouble for being such an idiot in public and having no clue what you are talking about.
Got it?
Are you through with the stupidity?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
Soooo…does that mean you don’t want to put you big boy underoo’s on and discuss the REAL FACTS?
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
No Lena before you go take your loser crowd with you.
They have never commented on this blog before.
I had to sign in to let them comment.
I collect these things
The setup is obvious and the choir is here.
Go drop dead or something useful.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Jemgirl wrote,
wow dude do you hug your momma with those hands? Your a bully. You hide behind the internet and are rude for people just so you have something to do. Ms. Matthews is trying to make a point and instead of arguing in a resonable matter, you decide her point is invalid because she doesn’t agree with you? Well who are you? Seriously??!!?? Gro up dude. Get a life and realize that just like the asshole you called her opinions are just like that. Everyone has them and is entitled to them.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
LOL. Nice talking with you Teddy. You’re a real gentlemen. Have a good night.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
BrandNu wrote,
So what you are saying is that because we didn’t know of your blog before we have nothing valid to add? That seems a little farfetched even for a ranter such as yourself. Maybe you didn’t want a real conversation to begin with. I came here because I wanted to see what it was about and honestly I see a train wreck, that you caused.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“you hug your momma with those hands?”
My mother is dead from alzheimer’s and she would not put up with your pathetic lynch mob scene either.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
BrandNu wrote,
I think the setup was all you. You already had your cup of righteous indignation before anyone else posted.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“Maybe you didn’t want a real conversation to begin with.”
Not with an obvious puppet gallery no.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
BrandNu wrote,
So wth is a puppet gallery? Where are all of your numerous fans that nomally comment on your drivel? So basically if I agreed with you it would be okay for me to be here, is that really what you’re saying. I want people who tell me the truth, for an example if I am an asshole I expect my friends to tell me. They don’t have to agree with me 24/7. Imagine how boring this world would be if everyone agreed on everything.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Where did I leave room for debate in my post?
There is no room.
It is an example of thinking you are right and plainly doing wrong.
The fact Lena chose to underline the example is her gig.
I was being clear and to the point.
Calling her names is simply icing on my cake tonight for someone who seems to like using labels like thief and pirate like random wallpaper for her paranoid little world.
I can not wait for an actual attorney to tell her the score about doing such things in public like she is.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Jemgirl wrote,
“my mom died of alzheimer and she wouldn’t put up with you pahetic lynch mob scene” Your funny. I can see there’s no reasoning with crazy. Bye Teddy. Go back to mastrabating to your anime and have a good night. Lmao…….
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Book_addict wrote,
Looks like you are alone Teddy. As usually voice of reason in the mob or angry people is.
Even somewhat colorful voice of reason :)
Lena M. and her merry gang are giving credible performance of sanctimoniousness (“making a hypocritical show of religious devotion, piety, righteousness, etc.”). One could almost believe it – if not for reading her blog.
Welcome to the Middle-Age. Get the witches!
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
I appreciate you reading it, Book_addict, even if you don’t agree with me.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
I knew this would happen that’s why I threw out the Wiki on Lynch Mobs.
I figured I would eventually have to SPELL IT OUT for them.
My hand signals were hard to follow online I guess.
Jason had a cow when I told him I misspelled Lars Ulrich like 6 times in a row.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Book_addict wrote,
@Lena: I won’t go in to discussion of what you have written on your blog here – I will leave comment later there if you want. I had to read it – otherwise I would not know what I’m talking about. Right?
As for this blog basically, Teddy said while you are right to be angry about piracy, the way you go about it is very wrong. Why you attacked him so – I can’t understand. He is saying – you do most damage to yourself (after those ppl you know nothing about and presume they are behind those virtual identity’s). And i most strongly believe he’s right.
@Teddy: Hang in there :) maybe they will re-read your blog one of this days – with understanding this time.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
John Doe wrote,
I saw Ms. Matthews’ website (thanks to links from another forum) and I hope you checked with your lawyer(s) before posting otherwise personal information (despite the fact it’s on a public forum) of people on a website, whereas it could result in people being harassed. But I think this is your ultimate goal is to have these people being harassed in some form or another. I guess some people just wake up and take some crazy pills and decide to act crazy. I agree with TeddyPig. This seems like something that was premeditated by the general consensus of a group that just got back from their internet pow wow.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Dhympna wrote,
Holy heck TP, do you need some troll be gone?
Seems like some folks need a lesson about vigilantism and libel. Two wrongs don’t make a right (assuming the folks were wrong in the first place).
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
Book_addict – Please look over the post again. My VERY first post was nothing but polite, I kidded about my in laws and commented about my own dyslexia. Teddy was the one who called me an asshole. This is his blog, that is his right, but I did not attack him until after he said several nasty things about me.
And of course you’re welcome to comment on my blog. There have been others who have stated that they don’t agree with me and I haven’t bad mouth them or deleted their posts.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Lena Matthews wrote,
John Doe
I take full responsibility for what I did. This was not a group effort, this was my own doing. Any blame or lawsuits should be placed directly on my shoulders and no one elses.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“Two wrongs don’t make a right (assuming the folks were wrong in the first place).”
Yeah, they have yet to prove the first part and they are already wrong on the second score.
It’s a complete fail either way.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Book_addict wrote,
@Lena
Now you are talking about vocabulary used, and not content of the message.
True Teddy did called you names, but you are using as colorful vocabulary and posting double meaning-messages to women’s who’s identity most probably were stolen (no common-sense pirate would sell books under his real name).
So, lets please drop who called who what name. It makes me feel like in kindergarten :p
Do internet search on stolen identity’s on Facebook. Illuminating.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Dhympna wrote,
@Book_Addict
I think it is also good to point out that this is Teddy Pig-land and if he wants to call me names on his blog, then that is his right. Tis his corner of cyber space.
He can call me names any day. ;)
(In other words, I agree with what you have said.)
I have actually read quite a few studies (not run by groups that have a motive to show piracy=loss of money like Attributor) that show that piracy actually helps sales and author profiles. Not the other way around. 99% of pirates would never pay for your work. I know it burns. I know it is wrong, but breaking the law or skirting it because someone else allegedly broke the law is never a good thing.This is why we have…laws….
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
John Doe wrote,
Naturally, if any blame was laid at anyone’s feet concerning your website, then it would be you. That’s why the major companies and universities/colleges have a legal department or counsel to make sure what they can and can’t do to minimize potential lawsuits.
Obviously, you are in this to make money and not lose money. No one really works for free, but piracy is something that probably won’t ever go away. If there is is a product, then there is someone who will want to get it for free.
I read some comments made by WistleBlower on another forum, and he/she has made many valid points. It seems many people there have tunnel vision. Things in life are not black or white. Personally, this is something that is going to go in circles. You will have people that will argue that what you are doing is correct, then you will have others that will frown upon it.
Good luck with this crusade, which begs the question, “Why is History taught?”
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“Teddy Pig-land and if he wants to call me names on his blog,”
You know, I actually do not call people names unless I witness them attacking people online. Then I figure that is the only way to get their attention.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Dhympna wrote,
*nods* I was trying to remember when I last “saw” you calling someone names on your blog and I am drawing a blank.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Book_addict wrote,
@ Joe Doe: I agree with WistleBlowers comments there too.
@all &Lena: I see peoples names and pictures are removed. I’m glad.
Back form the Middle Age :)
Good night people
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
You would not believe the hassles I go through sometimes when things get bad on the internet. I mean it takes several weeks worth of logs to even begin to prove to the Feds someone is trying to hack our bank.
Here I find clueless in Seattle posting screen grabs and crying J’accuse at the top of her lungs like the internets own “joe blow” Inspector Clouseau.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Dhympna wrote,
I will be a good girl and not run all of the images on the “I steal books” blog through an image search engine. I recognize the jolly roger they are using from somewhere else and wonder if it is public domain.
*grins*
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
John Doe wrote,
I agree with Dhympna. Laws are there for a reason. One of my buddies who went to law school was telling me about a law case involving a thief and a family that owned (past tense and this is emphasized for good reason) a second house in an area that isn’t heavily populated. The thief would break into the house and because the area wasn’t heavily populated the law enforcement wasn’t Johnny on the spot. So, the family decided to take matters into their own hands by setting up a contraption that would fire at someone who entered the house through the door. The thief broke in and was shot. The thief sued and won. They ruled that you cannot go around setting up firing contraptions as you please because what if the house was on fire and a fireman or police officer opened the door instead. God forbid a child open the door accidentally. I think the family ended up selling the house to pay the thief. Lesson here is THINK before you act because it may NOT end well.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
BrandNu wrote,
I will say this and be done with it. I never once said that what Ms. Matthews had done was the correct way to go about it. The fact remains that you had an opportunity to be the bigger person here and you trashed everyone who weren’t regulars to your site. I looked over your site before I posted and it is actually a site I would enjoy visiting regularly. Although I could see myself visting your site I don’t think I will because quite simply put, you made me feel unwelcome. I admit I came to the site because of a link from her but not once did I say she went about things the right way. If she was wrong you are also wrong for your behavior. I have heard your argument before and I was prepared to listen until you started namecalling. I think your argument would have been better received and a lot more valid if you had stayed away from the childish namecalling. Good day to you and yours, sir.
Link | October 17th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“you made me feel unwelcome”
Oh boo fucking hoo.
You ever figure out you were unwelcome here in the first place for the reason of “who” you are hanging out with?
Lena represents the whole let’s make an example out of someone anyone everyone because I feel put down by the system.
There are tons of idiots like that out there thinking they can lash out at whomever they believe is hurting them. It could just as easily be based on skin color or sexuality. Let me be very clear here. Protesting organizations is fine. General comments on individual actions is fine.
Attacking specific folks publicly instead of addressing your legal concerns about them or their actions to the proper authorities to be like you know kinda sorta investigated…
IS WRONG!
You are hanging out with the Brown Shirts and you want me to be on my best behavior?
I don’t think that is ever going to happen. Run along now.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 3:42 am
Sienna Mynx wrote,
Never read Teddy Pig or this blog. Won’t again after I post. Did however see this hooplah in a group and since I am an author and victim of piracy I had to come over and see what the drama was about. Nothing new here. Those that write do and those that don’t tell authors or artists to sit back take the crap people do to them and pray that maybe some day a great reward will fall upon them for being a gracious victim. Yep, seen it on blogs and reader groups–even got a few emails from the eloquent reading public.
However, I was happy to see Lena strike back. A scroll through her blog helped many including myself find out who these people were and get our material taken down. And wow, found out that fans of mine are actually stealing and hanging out with me on my blog. So big yay to getting those ‘so called’ fans from my writers group.
Maybe you don’t like her methods but the vile way this Teddy character behaved was comedy relief, and definitely not an example of great moral behaivior. Never seen someone lose their biscuit like this on their own blog. But hey this is Teddy World so rant on…
The person upthread that said that piracy will not stop, is absolutely correct. But neither will the crusade of the artists that fight to protect their work. Lena I will support your blog and be sure to visit it frequently. Not sure of legalities or anything, but thanks for standing your ground. And every pirate who scurries and says no fair. You shouldn’t haven’t outed me — boohoo! Karma is a nasty bugger.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 4:21 am
TeddyPig wrote,
I love watching commenters who wander in to justify a vigilante.
Oh sure, a few innocent people got hurt but I got my kicks watching the show.
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 4:27 am
Alex wrote,
Wow… what a way to miss the point. While I literally cringed reading Teddy’s venomous responses, I still couldn’t help feel that Miss Matthews and her followers (rather cultish followers imo) completely missed the point. Can I state it more clearly? Maybe without vitriol we can all agree.
Teddy, and others like him, are not saying that piracy is good. They are not saying they agree with piracy. They are saying that the way you are championing this cause is WRONG.
I threw up a little in my mouth reading your endless prattling on every medical issue you have. By the end of the post I was astonished that I wasn’t treated to a list of your yeast infections and how you can’t afford suppositories to cure them because people pirated your books.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 9:33 am
TeddyPig wrote,
Alex I said what I said and I do not feel the least bit apologetic to fucking Lena Matthews.
She is pretending to be “a victim” health issues and all that so she can use it to victimize others.
Where is the due process of law in what Lena Matthews has cooked up on that website? I can tell you it is not on Lena Matthew’s fucking crackpot side. Lena is out to hurt people plain and simple.
Lena Matthews is a idiot surrounded by idiots taking obvious legal matters into their own hands out of whatever hurt or frustration they believe they are entitled to.
Fuck the DCMA shit we will just slap people’s pictures and names and email addys up online and call them whatever we want like children having a tantrum.
I have no sympathy for her when she gets her ass canned for being a clueless idiot.
Lena Matthews deserves what Lena Matthews gets because she made the effort to do it… domain name, website and running commentary.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Dhympna wrote,
I sometimes wonder if pirates have become the scapegoat for authors who are not making what *they feel* they should be making in their writing career.
If you honestly want to convince yourself that all of the downloads you see are lost sales, then you are just being foolish and sort of arrogant. The truth is is that if you are lucky 5% of those were lost sales.
The ugly truth is this: most authors cannot make it on writing alone and have to get a job outside the house.
I have been thinking a lot about the history of the book lately and while books are a newer technology, how we consume them has not changed all that much. It is also harder to use the music industry analogy with books because the content of books have always been shared, copied, and passed around and how readers interact with a text is very different.
If it makes authors who are not pulling in a lot to blame “pirates” to feel better about themselves and their careers, then go ahead, but don’t use human targets and the the law into your hands.
I think it is very telling that in one of the more recent posts the author of the post blamed pirates and not the publisher…Dorchester. But, you know, being honest about a situation would mean that the pirate boogey man is not culpable.
We also won’t get into how amused I am that quite a few authors who screech about piracy think nothing of using images without permission and without legitimate commentary to use the “fair use” excuse. It is only piracy when you or your friends are effected, right?
I am rambling and procrastinating from putting together a lesson plan. Heh.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 9:57 am
John Doe wrote,
If they aren’t making enough then are their books considered good? I can pick up a pen and some paper (nowadays a computer) and say I’m a writer and start writing garbage. I can probably find a publisher to publish it and it doesn’t mean I’m going to get paid. In other words, ANYONE can be a writer, but can you be a great writer?
@Dhympna
I agree. Piracy is going to happen and piracy has been with us throughout probably our existence. If there is money to be made, then there will be someone more than willing to capitalize on it. Sometimes piracy has even been sanctioned by governments for personal gain. Most writers do not make enough and have the supplement their income from another source.
“It’s only piracy when you or your friends are effected, right?” This statement is the hammer that hit the nail on the head. Concerning copyrights, patents, and trademarks when being granted then it’s the obligation of the parties or in this case author(s) to pursue the people committing copyright infringement (17 U.S.C. § 506 and
18 U.S.C. § 2319). Correct me if I’m wrong, but as soon as you cross international lines then things become a bit blurred concerning copyrights and such.
Maybe Ms Matthews and her crew should expend some of their anti-piracy energy in the Gap of Horn off the coast of Somalia. Take a boat out there and out some of those pirates.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Dhympna wrote,
What’s also interesting about that blog is that who ever runs it seems to be reproducing blog posts by other authors (I recognized two of them) without saying she has permission.
If she is just copy and pasting blog posts written by other people, which are also under copyright, without asking explicit permission of the author, that is also a copyright violation.
That is IF she doesn’t have permission, but usually there is an explicit statement of “reposted in excerpt/entirely by permission of the author.” It is not fair use if you post it in its entirety and do not discuss it/offer commentary on it.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
John Doe wrote,
LOL yeah. There is irony there. No permission = copyright infringement. Maybe those authors will RAGE like her.
Link | October 18th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
bellefleursf wrote,
You know, I understand Lena’s outrage. I understand any author’s outrage. However, I fully admit to having downloaded their books for FREEEEEEEE. Interwebz I lub j000. On the flip side, if I like what I’ve read by these authors I go back to actually *purchase* the books I liked by them on the sites that sell them. Ya, I read smut. Sue me. Oh wait, she might.
I wonder what category I’d fall into by their standards? Would I be a fan or would I be one of the people they’d post my personal info for everyone to see?
Or would I still be held in the same light of contempt?
When all is said and done, Lena Matthews lost a fan here…and I vow to NEVER pay for another book of hers ever again.
Shove THAT in your pie hole, Ms Matthews.
xoxo
A pretty flower in San Francisco
Link | October 20th, 2011 at 12:50 am
Samantha wrote,
Lena is poking a hornet’s nest by posting identifying information about these people. And I’m not talking about losing customers. I’m talking about drawing attention from places like 4chan, where there are tons of people who would take offense and have no problem making her life miserable.
And yeah, as mentioned above, I sure hope she has permission to repost those blog entries. Otherwise she’s pirating other authors herself…
Link | October 20th, 2011 at 5:22 am
TeddyPig wrote,
A 4chan intervention that would be sweet!
Let one mob take out the other mob.
Link | October 20th, 2011 at 5:29 am
John Doe wrote,
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
JERRY JERRY JERRY
Link | October 20th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Shhhh! Shhhhh! No, no, that’s like calling down the gods of Anarchy.
I do not want to “eat the rich” I am full thank you.
Link | October 20th, 2011 at 6:17 pm