I love the internet, I believe in the internet as the voice and the flow of the demotic, and I staunchly advocate for a free internet.
I think Snowden and Assange are heroes. Individuals have the right to privacy, no matter what Obama’s Big Brother government believes–and do I risk a drone targeting me for saying that?
What I do not believe in is THEFT. Piracy. Stealing. Copyright violation.
I suppose it happens to all authors these days–we google ourselves online and find our books offered as free downloads. It cuts into sales and steals money from our pockets.
To everyone who posts those files, or who downloads them: YOU ARE THIEVES. You are setting yourselves up for bad karma, and I for one will be thrilled to see you meet your just rewards for such acts of conniving thievery.
Here is my standard takedown letter, and I have to send it regularly:
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The email is notification of copyright infringement. I am the author of “X NOVEL.” Please remove my novel “X” from your website
www.dirtyrottenthief.com/xnovelfreedownload
I have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of here is not authorized by me, the copyright holder, or the law. The information provided here is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I swear under penalty of perjury that I am the copyright holder.
Please send me at the address noted below a prompt response indicating the actions you have taken to resolve this matter.
I am copying the author’s guild legal services department on this email so that they can inform other authors of the infringement and piracy on your website.
Sincerely,
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TO all my readers: PLEASE DO NOT participate in free downloads of copyrighted material. It is theft. It is wrong.