"Never fear! Our best people are on top of the 4shared site at least. And when you discover ANY site that offers free downloads, unless you know it's a promotion on Kindle, let us know. When our royalty people checked the 4shared site yesterday, they found more than 425 of our products listed for free download...even music for choirs!! It wasn't just fiction. And one of those supposed uploaders of material to the site had uploaded at least 50,000 books, etc. Someone must have a major piracy ring operating. The article in RWA was by a romance author who had no success with getting her work off the site, so she went after the advertisers and contacted them: AT&T, Starbucks, Toyota, etc., and when she told them the site was stealing copyrighted material, they immediately pulled their advertising. I intend to contact RWA to see if I can buy copies of the article for you all. Please spread the word through your blogs about this site."
Have any of you encountered this type of site on the Net? Let's raise awareness about the problem.
I tend to lag a few years behind in technology so I don't encounter things like this yet. But it is probably going to continue to be a problem and probably get worse.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with this site or others like it. Thanks for the "heads up" on this and I will pass it along.
ReplyDeleteHave a weekend full of blessings!
That's terrible. Stealing from the Christian industry. What a world! Thanks for the heads up and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up, Susan, I wasn't aware of this! Also wanted to thank you for stopping by Life Lessons yesterday.I'm praying for you as you begin your edits! Everything is so much more manageable in bite-size pieces! Have a beautiful weekend and God bless! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Arlee Bird -
ReplyDeleteWhile the Internet has many benefits, it gives unscrupulous people opportunities as well. I'm reminded of the problem concerning music downloads.
We can all help by keeping our eyes and ears open to potential problems.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Donna -
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see you around the blogosphere again. We sure missed you. :)
Enjoy your weekend.
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Schmologna -
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, wherever there's money involved people will take advantage. I'm glad Abingdon is on top of things and sent out the alert.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Maria -
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the edits. Sigh. I was supposed to work on them this morning, but...life happened.
Blessings,
Susan :)
That's an awful thing. I hadn't heard of it so thanks for bringing it to our attention.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend, Susan!
Hi Carla -
ReplyDeleteThink of all the authors, as well as the publishers, losing money. We may be in their shoes someday.
Blessings,
Susan
I did not know about this. Thank you for your information. So good that there are poeple who keep tabs on such things.
ReplyDeleteSusan:
ReplyDeleteThis is the worst case of theft I have heard of. Thank you for sharing the information.
I had no idea this was happening. Thanks for passing along the info! Have a great weekend:)
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of them but maybe because I don't do downloads. have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy -
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. They put this on the ACFW loop, so hopefully others will post it on their blogs.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Quiet Spirit -
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this is only one example out there. These are the ones that got caught.
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteBefore I saw the article, I didn't know about it either. Feel free to post this or link to it.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Terri -
ReplyDeleteI don't download books either. However, with the advent of the e-readers, more and more people will be looking for bargains. Let's be mindful of deals that seem too good to be true.
Blessings,
Susan :)
WOW. People always amaze me. Both good and bad.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather -
ReplyDeleteCharacter does count!
Blessings,
Susan :)
This just saddens my heart. Hardly anyone in this business gets rich, and while we're not in it for the money, it is nice to get your earnings. Thanks for helping bring awareness to this Susan.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better, too. Have a great Sunday:)
Kristen
Wow, scary. I'm glad you're letting people know about this situation and some possible solutions. Talking to advertisers was an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is outrageous! I had no idea! Thanks for sharing this information!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen -
ReplyDeleteThanks. The heat doesn't help the migraine. My A/C units aren't in yet.
Folks in this business work so hard. I agree it's a shame people would steal from them.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Erin -
ReplyDeleteI hope some of my fellow bloggers will pick up on this and spread the word.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Alisa -
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Abingdon Press and their authors were just as shocked. After all, it's a threat to their livelihood.
Blessings,
Susan :)