Investigated – Piracy of Books

Posted November 18, 2013 by Emily in Investigated / 3 Comments

investigated

pi·ra·cy [pahy-ruh-see]
noun, plural pi·ra·cies.
1. the unauthorized reproduction or use of a copyrighted book, recording, television program, patented invention, trademarked product, etc.: The record industry is beset with piracy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.

Stealing is not good. Everyone knows that. Everyone with moral values feel that way. So why do some people think pirating books is okay when it is basically the same thing as stealing from authors? Lately, piracy has become a huge problem. Sadly, there are websites that allow people to upload books and others to download those books for free. In addition, there are people who think piracy is “okay” and see nothing wrong with it. Even worse, there are people who think they are doing the world a favor when they allow for something, specifically a book, to be pirated. This was especially evident last week on Twitter.

I felt like shaking those people until they understood the problems with piracy. I honestly cannot believe I have to say it. That I have to explain. That people don’t already know PIRACY IS NOT GOOD. THAT PIRACY IS WRONG NO MATTER WHATEVER THE REASON YOU MIGHT HAVE. If you don’t want to/can’t buy a book, just borrow it from your library. If your library doesn’t have it, suggest that they buy it. Or borrow it from a friend. If you need to take a peak at the ending, go find it in your library and do it there. Or go to your local bookstore and just peak at it. There are many solutions to reasons why someone would want to pirate a book. Whatever the solution is, it is definitely NOT TO PIRATE BOOKS.

One thing that really irks me about pirating books is specifically the people who think they are doing the world a favor by allowing pirating to occur and making it easier for others to pirate books. People that have illogical arguments on why piracy is okay and why authors should be flattered their books are being pirated. One such agreement is that “offering” a copy of the book for free increases sales. Why is this an illogical argument? Well, first of all, if people already have a copy of the book, why would they want to buy a copy? And also, most of the time, the author is not “offering” their books online for free to be downloaded. Nope, it is usually other people offering the hard work of authors for free online, without the authors knowledge or consent.

Contrary to what those people might believe, they are not playing “Robin Hood” by making it easier for other people to pirate books. No, they are not stealing from the rich (the authors) and giving to the poor (everyday people). NEWSFLASH to those people, authors need to make a living too. Not all authors are super rich and famous. No, most authors are just ordinary people who make writing a job and get their paycheck from the royalties from books they sell. As easy as writing novels sounds, it is not. Some authors spend years perfecting ONE novel, until they feel it is as good as it can get, just so their readers will have a good time reading it. Writing is not a 5 day week job. Nope, lots of authors go to work everyday. Authors not only write for their enjoyment, but also for the enjoyment of readers. By pirating books, you are basically taking from authors who deserve the money you are costing them. By pirating books, you are taking away some of the rewards of their hard work.

Sadly, this world has turned into one in which many people tend to fulfill their own wishes and “needs” before they think of others. Before they think of the consequences. Before they think how their actions will affect others. The fact is that piracy of books impacts everyone in a negative way. From authors, readers, book stores, libraries, publishers, everyone is affected. Maybe not directly, but everyone is still impacted in a way. Think of it this way. Authors need the money they make from writing books. Many of them have children and family to support. Others have debts to pay off. Whatever the circumstance, all of them need to make a living. If enough people pirate books, authors will lose a lot of money that they need. What do you do when you need money? The correct answer is to get a job (it is definitely not to steal from others). This will cause them to get a regular 9 to 5 job, which in turn will result in less time to write. Less time to write equals books take longer to write and get published, which equals less books, which ultimately equals less stories for readers to enjoy.

If you really want to support an author, there are a lot of things you can do. You can go buy their book(s). Spread the word about the book(s). Encourage others to give it a try. Write a review. Make some fan art. Suggest it for purchase at your library. YOU ARE NOT SUPPORTING AUTHORS BY PIRATING THEIR BOOKS.

In short, if you love books and authors, don’t pirate books.

Emily

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3 responses to “Investigated – Piracy of Books

  1. I agree piracy of books benefits nobody! I have many indie author friends that put what they make to good use. Those that are thinking about doing something like that think about this. That’s food that your taking out of their children’s mouths, their ability to pay their electric bill, etc. Would you want some one to do that to you?

  2. I agree. I have a friend who says the library is basically like pirating books and movies because they loan them out and everyone gets to read them. Really they are just trying to make themselves feel better. I find it said really.