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Weblog:   Jeff Bezos' open letter on used book sales
Subject:   Jeff and Tim mischaracterize AG
Date:   2002-04-17 13:10:04
From:   bepstein
Tim you haven't done your homework. Bad Tim!


The author's guild is not opposed to used books or the first sale doctrine. They are simply recommending that their authors not "link" to Amazon for several reasons:


1. No Amazon Associate gets paid a commission on used books.


2. Many of the used books are "fraudulent" insofar as they are not-for-resale copies on which the author (and publisher) never made their due monies (so the "first sale doctrine" doesn't apply).


3. Amazon is promoting used books aggressively in the "new book" page listing. It isn't illegal or immoral, but AG thinks it is counterproductive for authors to reward Amazon for this.


See these links:
http://www.authorsguild.org/pramazon040902.html
http://www.authorsguild.org/pramazon041502.html


I think AG overstates the problem, but Jeff Bezos mischaracterizes the AG's position, and you fell for it.


Bruce Epstein (O'Reilly author and editor)
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Showing messages 1 through 2 of 2.

  • Jeff and Tim mischaracterize AG
    2002-05-08 04:43:28  patobell [Reply | View]

    Bravo, Bruce!

    Not only are many of these books "not-for-sale" advanced reading copies, but stripped books are being sold by used book dealers.

    A stripped book is one that has the cover torn off. This is a common practice when bookstores return unsold books and returning the cover is cheaper than the cost of packing up entire books. The book is then (presumably) destroyed or discarded.
    Many times the book will contain a notice that if the cover is missing, you have purchased stolen property. Neither the publisher nor the author ever received money for the first sale, therefore the first sale doctrine doesn't apply.

    I cannot believe Amazon is willing to be a vehicle for some sellers to profit from the sale of stolen merchandise! Has their legal staff bothered to investigate their liability?
    • Jeff and Tim mischaracterize AG
      2002-12-02 16:32:55  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

      My name is Mason Denise Carlisle. I am a new Author, and my book just went on sale with the publishers mid-October, and maybe a week with Amazon.com. They are already selling near new copies of my book as collectors items, for almost $45.00, and I haven't been paid a dime yet. So the first sale doctrine can't possible apply if I haven't been paid yet correct? I'm very upset about this.

      Mason
Showing messages 1 through 2 of 2.