I found out last week that some of my books were on a piracy site. It was a strange experience. I had just read another authors blog (badredhead media) on handling pirates. It got me paranoid, like one tends to get late at night when you should be sleeping. So I did a google search. And there, on page three, was one of my books advertised on a site I had never heard of. I’m not going to say which, I don’t want to give them any promotions, but I clicked on it.
And my antivirus software immediately alerted me that the site tried to download malware onto my computer. Another reason I’m not sharing the link. The site seemed legitimate, with links to my actual buy links on Smashwords and Barnes & Noble, but nowhere did it say ‘buy’ my ebook, but download. And there, beneath the buy links, was a link to do just that—pirate my intellectual property.
It irked. It still irks me. I put a lot of effort in making my works, and to see someone else giving them away bothered me. And they may not even be giving my stuff away, but using my works to trick people into downloading virus to steal their personal information. That download link didn’t contain my book, but an .exe program, supposedly a downloader, but how can you trust a site such as this? I didn’t download it to find out. But I did send them a cease-and-desist letter. Which they’ve ignored so far.
Seeing my work being stolen, made me think of all the times that I had downloaded mp3s or pirated software ten, fifteen years ago when I was in High School and my early twenties. Back then, I never even hesitated. I always rationalized it as I would never buy it, so how was I stealing anything from them. They weren’t getting my money either way. And it hit me, the people pirating my works would never bother to buy them from me, and while I may not be thrilled about my works being pirated, I can take comfort (whether it’s real comfort or just self-delusion) that the pirates weren’t going to buy it anyways.
If you want to learn some helpful tips on how to deal with piracy, click here, which includes a sample cease and desist letter.
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They weren’t going to buy it. But there are some people that use pirated books as a sort of a sampling ground, and if they find something they like, then they buy it (at least that’s what some of them commented). So it might actually increase your sales. Look at it as just another form of marketing: reaching the readers that you wouldn’t reach otherwise. Readers with potential to spread word of mouth if they like your book.
Instead of fighting a futile fight, why not put your loss leader, if you have one (first book in a series that’s free or underpriced to attract readers), up there yourself?
Not bad advice, and they actually have both my loss leaders on there.
Actually justifying piracy as advertisement is weak willed and ignorant. To advertise your work offer free chapters on your website. All authors should have some free and or promotional material to get readers hooked. Giving legitimacy to thieves is not healthy for your esteem or honoring your work.
My books were recently pirated, too – totally understand the feelings of frustration. I tend to agree with the points Catie made about piracy increasing readership, but it sucks to put countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears into a book, only to have it stolen. On occasion, I gladly give free copies of my stories, but I would rather people not take them without my permission. Oh, well! Such is the life of an author.
Did you ever receive a response to your cease-and-desist letter?
I never did. Despite their site claiming to follow copyright and the DMCA, they never did get back to me.
Send them a certified letter with a bill for $50,000. Find out who is hosting their site and send them a bill for the same amount as well. You might get some action. I am able to fill out my own court documents and send out a summons. They might pull down their site, but I imagine the server can be held responsible for damages after they have been notified and do not take action.
As for helping an author sell books, I can’t see how a site up and running to plant virus’ on ones machine could begin to benefit an author?
Thanks for the advice.
It happened to me too James. And it took a few days to get these thieves to take my book off of their site. In the end 1,700 books were given away.
And you know: I wouldn’t mind one bit if I had some reviews to go with all those free books. But I haven’t seen even one…
I hear that. I’ve given away so many free copies and no reviews. Glad you got them to take it down.
Is it that difficult to post free or promotional material on your sites that require a reader to fill out a review or survey to cont. to read the rest of the chapter or short story or if you are generous the whole book. For all creative minds I don’t see any attempts at solutions here. Am I stupid or is drinking coffee all day and tweeting constantly a bad idea? Or both?
Not difficult. but it’s more just dealing with the reality of piracy.
Thank you for the great blog post. I myself have found my books on several piracy sites. It has become a never ending battle and have decided it’s not worth my time anymore. If someone messages me and points out a certain site where they saw my books, I do send a cease-and-desist letter and sometimes they take the books down, more than often not. I just do my best to protect my work and focus on my readers that enjoy my work. It’s all I can do if I want to keep my sanity. Lol
Yeah, I decided the same. I have better way to spend my time then try and stop pirates.