When Creative Commons Licensing Gets Taken For Granted
Do you have any books written that are published under a creative commons license? If so, be forewarned that this can mean, someone else publishes your book, puts up for sale on Amazon and they gain the profits from it's sales. Don't believe me? It's just happened to Seth Godin.
Seth wrote a book entitled "Everyone's An Expert (About Something)" and published it under a creative commons license back in 1995. He offered it for free - and still does.
Apparently someone (BNPublishing) has gone through the trouble of "re-publishing" it and now has it for sale out on Amazon for $9.99. What's even a bit more tacky is the fact that Amazon is sending out emails to customers who've expressed interest in Seth's books, about this "new" book that is now available.
Seth's trying to spread the word, don't buy the book. If you have - return it. Why buy it when you can get it for free?
Maybe Seth should just release his updated version ;)
People purchased Robert Scobles ebook even though it was available free on a blog, so I don't think it really hurts too much.
The problem is Amazon saying it is a new book, not the fact that it is out there.
I hope it says first published 1995 inside
Posted by: Andy Beard | February 11, 2007 at 08:37 PM
" don't buy the book. If you have - return it. Why buy it when you can get it for free? "
the 'free' one isn't printed, its online and in PDF. this one is printed, in paperback and completely legal.
the publisher is essentially selling a service , not the actual product.
i don't see the reason why seth is upset.
Posted by: Deane | February 12, 2007 at 04:47 AM