Stealing Trek Literature

[Therin of Andor]

How are they doing it, a code printed inside the book? How do they keep someone from simply copying the info? It would make sense, just wondering ass to how it's handled.

I dunno, but this was a topic of conversation at a "Future of the Book" seminar my literary agent held a few months ago. Australian publishers are already investigating/experimenting with print book packages that include eBook and audiobook versions. There are also ongoing discussions with publishers as to how eBooks might be lent out by public libraries, and how eBooks might make use of online interactivity.

 

[TerraUnam]

Canadian and US book editions, $9.99 plus shipping for a mass market paper back isn't highway robbery and seems to me to be in the range of fair prices.

For a time, Canada's Simon & Schuster printed their own copies. A little maple leaf logo appeared on the cover. A friend once lent me her Canadian copy of "Web of the Romulans" before my US imported copy arrived in the mail. I guess that was one way to keep prices down in the old days.

My local newsagent sells Australian printings of IDW Star Trek comics at the moment, and they are several dollars cheaper than imported IDW versions of the same comics, and the Marvel and DC superhero comics that sit alongside the local Wilkinson IDW's.

Supply and demand plus shipping/warehousing equals more money required.

There's no need for extra warehousing, most shipments are direct from the publisher to the vendor. If you order from amazon.ca it doesn't even leave the US until it gets on the plane for Toronto to be shipped by Canada Post for the final domestic leg.

Amazon skirts Canadian law by doing that but it does add some needed competition for Chapters.

25% isn't justified by a border hop which is shorter than most intra-US shipments. The distance doesn't pack on that much cost.

 

[kkozoriz1]

Amazon is going to be adding a Canadian warehouse or warehouses in the near future. They will be carrying a larger selection of Canadian literature and music. The problem isn't the retailers, it's the publishers putting that U$+25% on the covers. Seeing as the majority of the population of Canada is closer to New York than Los Angeles or even Denver is, transportation isn't that big a part of the equation.

 

[Turtletrekker]

I have a question for the authors here... What do you think of used book sales? Although I usually buy MMPB's new, I do buy a lot of stuff used (Every TV episode of Star Trek ever made on DVD-- all used. At that price that was the only way it was happening.).

 

[BolianAuthor]

You're still paying money for the book, and not just getting it for free, so there's that. Plus, as has been pointed out before here... if you really enjoy the book, there's the chance you could suggest it to someone who will buy a new copy (assuming it's not an out-of-print or rare book).

 

[DimesDan]

I have a question for the authors here... What do you think of used book sales? Although I usually buy MMPB's new, I do buy a lot of stuff used

I was just about to ask that as I rather like going into a Charity Shop, see what books they have and then pick one up.

I also gave away a load of books recently to the Cancer Hospice that cared for my Step Father before he died recently, would you still consider it wrong if Money went to them and not the Publishing Industry?

 

[ProtoAvatar]

From a business/sales POV, digital content (for example, music) has a great advantage over physical objects (for example, cars):
In the case of digital information, the band has to only perform the song once. The music company can multiply as many times as it wants this information at virtually no cost, in a very real sense multiplying the work put into performing the song, making large profits.
In the case of physical merchandise, you have to invest significant resources into building 'copies' of a car, you can't multiply the work put into building the first car - which is, of course, reflcted in your profits.

Of course, this very same property digital information has of being easily copied at virtually no cost also represents a disadvantage:
Not only the music company can make copies, but also anyone else who wants to do so.

The very same phenomenon which allows the music industry to amass large profits also allows for file-sharing.

 

[LaBarre]

Scott,

While part of me shares your outrage, the other half recognises that this particular boat has sailed and there ain't nothin' we can do to stop it.

We are in the world of Wikileaks and torrent, ipad and kindle, first release movies, games - all readily accessible. We have magazines and newspapers from everywhere popping up for free on our web pages, not to mention all the goodies in the music and entertainment world.

And without even trying, you can freely and easily access the collections of the world's great museums and libraries for free.

You simply can't guilt people out anymore in such a world. And even if you could, you think that a star trek book is the place to start?

Foolish.

 

[Greg Cox]

I have a question for the authors here... What do you think of used book sales? Although I usually buy MMPB's new, I do buy a lot of stuff used (Every TV episode of Star Trek ever made on DVD-- all used. At that price that was the only way it was happening.).

I admit I wince when I see used copies of my new book go on sale at amazon practically the minute they see print, but, really, I don't have a problem with it. It's not like I don't haunt used-book stores myself, not to mention garage sales, thrift stories, convention dealers rooms, etc.

In theory, all those books were sold for a royalty once. What happens after that, well. . . it's nice to know my books are enjoying a productive afterlife and still being enjoyed by readers, even if I don't profit from it directly. I got a cut of the first sale, when the book was shiny and new. That's good enough for me.

I never toss out books as a matter of principle. It just goes against the grain. I always donate them to Goodwill or something.

 

[JoeZhang]

How are they doing it, a code printed inside the book? How do they keep someone from simply copying the info? It would make sense, just wondering ass to how it's handled.

I dunno, but this was a topic of conversation at a "Future of the Book" seminar my literary agent held a few months ago. Australian publishers are already investigating/experimenting with print book packages that include eBook and audiobook versions. There are also ongoing discussions with publishers as to how eBooks might be lent out by public libraries, and how eBooks might make use of online interactivity.

Here (uk) I can download ebooks directly on my android phone using my library membership, they handle it like a physical book in that while I have the 'copy', nobody else can loan it - not sure if it 'returns' itself once my two weeks are up...

 

[Scott Pearson]

I have a question for the authors here... What do you think of used book sales? Although I usually buy MMPB's new, I do buy a lot of stuff used (Every TV episode of Star Trek ever made on DVD-- all used. At that price that was the only way it was happening.).

Nothing wrong with buying used. I can't afford to buy everything new.

Scott,

While part of me shares your outrage, the other half recognises that this particular boat has sailed and there ain't nothin' we can do to stop it.

We are in the world of Wikileaks and torrent, ipad and kindle, first release movies, games - all readily accessible. We have magazines and newspapers from everywhere popping up for free on our web pages, not to mention all the goodies in the music and entertainment world.

And without even trying, you can freely and easily access the collections of the world's great museums and libraries for free.

You simply can't guilt people out anymore in such a world. And even if you could, you think that a star trek book is the place to start?

Foolish.

Although technology has made theft of intellectual property easier to commit and rationalize and harder to enforce against, I fail to see how that makes me foolish for calling out people stealing from me. Surely it would be more foolish not to defend myself. And what have free museums and libraries got to do with the ability of people to understand what is stealing and what is not? Certainly there have always been people willing to steal and there always will be, but that does not mean we shrug our shoulders and roll over to it. We do what we can to stop it and punish those we can catch. Same as it ever was.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

You simply can't guilt people out anymore in such a world.

We can try.

 

[Christopher]

Although technology has made theft of intellectual property easier to commit and rationalize and harder to enforce against, I fail to see how that makes me foolish for calling out people stealing from me. Surely it would be more foolish not to defend myself.

Absolutely right. Modern firearms technology makes it far easier to kill people than it used to be, but that doesn't mean it's foolish to continue defining murder as a crime. Modern video technology makes it far easier to commit voyeurism, but that doesn't mean it's foolish to fight for privacy. The advance of technology makes it more challenging to uphold moral standards in some cases, but far from making it foolish to try, it makes it imperative to try harder.

 

[Mysterio]

As far as I'm concerned $10 is a small price to pay compared to the enjoyment I get out of Trek Lit. I want to encourage the great writing to continue. In fact lately I have been buying both the paperback and the ebook as back-up. I may not have a ton of extra cash to spend but I pick my passions and reading is one of them.

 

[AN_D_K]

It's not really the case that it's illegal so therefore it is wrong. Laws change. Without a doubt pirating books is illegal and the people that are doing it know full well that it's wrong.

But on the otherhand is the contradiction that has been made on this very thread. Books should cost the same digitally because you buy the intellectual property. Material doesn't come into it.

However, it has also been said that a book is a material property too. We shouldn't download a copy of a book that we already own because like most items if they perish then they are gone. In the self same thread people have made both points and ignores that they contradict each other.

Punishing and making people feel guilty for a law that doesnt make 100% sense isn't the way to go. The old methods of flogging media is dying.

I think ebook piracy is rife because it provides a better service. No region specific release dates (& prices kinda), a community to talk to and a simple delivery. They even take pride in correcting all the errors in the book!

iTunes makes money by providing a better service. Valve's Steam makes money by providing a better service. Netflix makes money by providing a better service. Maybe Kindle could too if they didn't have to hike up their prices and books were edited better.

Why doesnt S&S make a bigger deal of their writers and community like this forum? No one here is going to steal the books of writers they 'know'

Piracy can't be stopped. But people are good. Offer them a better alternative and most of them will take it. Think more of the potential sales with a good service rather than crying over spilt milk.

 

[Christopher]

There are lots of laws that don't make sense, but you still obey them because it's what civilized people do. Civilization can't work unless we agree to abide by the laws. Individuals don't have the right to pick and choose which laws they think should apply to them. If you disagree with a law, then you try to change it within the system.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It's not really the case that it's illegal so therefore it is wrong.

Stealing books, e or otherwise, is wrong for many reasons, including the sheer illegality. That is indeed a factor.

Laws change.

We are aware of that. But UNTIL it changes, the law is the law and must be followed.

 

[ATimson]

If you disagree with a law, then you try to change it within the system.

Sounds great. Go tell Rosa Parks she was doing it wrong.

 

[Therin of Andor]

No one here is going to steal the books of writers they 'know'...

Wanna bet? We've had posters boast that they have done exactly that. Also posters who've said they'd never pay money for the work of certain authors but that they'd read a friend's copy, or a Border's copy in the coffee shop, so they weren't actually contributing to the author's royalty.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If you disagree with a law, then you try to change it within the system.

Sounds great. Go tell Rosa Parks she was doing it wrong.

At least there, Rosa knew full well the consequences of her actions and accepted any punishment. She did not sneak or hide anything. And more to the point, she did not STEAL.