Thanks for the info. It gets worse. Did you know that there are websites hosted offshore that steal entire books to give away?
I found out about this accidentally when I went to my buddy, ChatGPT and asked him/her/it to give me a list of all the places where my book is being sold.
That was fun until I came across this one: “Free Download PDF” of my book, If You’d Only Listen: A Medical Memoir of Gaslighting, Grit & Grace. They even included the Amazon description, word for word, and my blurbs, including yours!
I had another chat with Chat and was told that this was but one of many companies who steal books and give them away for “free.” Of course, there’s free and then there’s “free.” Apparently the site collects personal info, sells ads, installs malware, etc.
I could go on with more detail here, but the remedy is to file a DMCA Takedown Notice (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) to the company. Good luck with that. These companies are hosted abroad—apparently my pirate is in the Netherlands.
I haven’t done this yet – it all seems so overwhelming, but I plan to. I’m outraged that they rip off authors and when they’re asked online about whether or not this is legal, here’s their answer:
“https://PDFdrive.to provides links to free educational resources available online. We do not store any files on our servers. Please be aware of copyright laws in your country before downloading. The materials shared are intended for research, educational and personal use in accordance with fair use principles.”
Aye, Matey, it's an ongoing fight between us authors and the pirates of the Caribbean or wherever they plant their flag. May the good guys and gals win!
Yeah—so this is a whole other issue of piracy, which is probably bigger than counterfeit honestly and a total disaster, too. Thanks for this info, Rosie. There are actually more remedies and actions for piracy than for counterfeit and my guess is that's just because piracy has been a problem for longer—and because AI is making it grossly simple to summarize someone's content and then call it their work. And then the people who are supposed to protect us just aren't doing it.
Ever thus. Those who are supposed to look out for our interests? Especially now?Asleep at the wheel. I'll let you know what I find out when I send a DMCA Takedown Notice. I love the word "takedown." Sounds like kicking butt!
Thanks, Brooke for getting this word out. You asked for other ideas--and this is in addition to what you suggest, not to replace anything you say: My zon About the Author includes a statement of what books are mine and that none other are, plus it has a copy and paste from zon's terms and conditions, all to alert readers that they need to use caution when shopping. (Search for my name on zon if you want to read it.) PS I never use their full name in my post/replies/comments, surely you all know what I mean when I say "zon."
Another reason to move away from Amazon as much as possible. I know that is scary for authors to hear, but Amazon is an abuser in so many ways. Until we all wake up to how they are killing off our small businesses, pushing their weight around with unions and our governments at city, state and federal levels, they will continues to ignore any duties they might have to protecting us from such abuses.
Wow. Thanks for the tips at the end, Brooke, because as I read these horror stories, I thought, "Oh, now what do I do?" I always appreciate your candid, clear, and honest take on what's happening in the publishing industry.
This is so disturbing Brooke! Truly can't get over that people can be so crummy for their own self-interest. Thanks for helping to educate all of us. I'm even more bothered that Amazon took down your review. Seriously?! Amazon is only perpetuating the problem. UGG!
"...deep exasperation." Yes, that's how I feel every time I hear stuff like this. And yet, it's everywhere. I can't stand AI, but even I search for things using "Copilot" because it's so much faster than a Google search riddled with ads. I'm feeding the monster. Thanks again for a great post.
Great post, and I share the sentiment about the gordian knot (though I personally don't use AI for writing or researching; however "antiquated" this may make me, I deeply believe I wouldn't be able to write or market the way I do now if I had not spent years sharpening my mental tools).
I think the deeper problem is that even if you don’t intend to use AI, it’s seeping into everything. Whereas you and I might be knowledgeable about AI and know when to turn it off, many people don’t even realize when they are using AI. They’re embedded in search engines and common word processing programs. Writers search for images in places they are told are safe from AI and get AI images. It takes effort, constant vigilance , and education in order to AVOID ai at this point.
Sadly, not all authors are eligible to join Authors Guild, at least not at the membership level that comes with legal or zon help. I know, I'm one of them.
Good question. You might have to be a published author to join. I actually don't know what their policies are. But you can also support them with a donation.
Sadly, not all authors are eligible to join Authors Guild, at least not at the membership level that comes with legal or zon help. I know, I'm one of them.
The Emerging Writer level of membership gives you access to a lot of resources before you get a publishing contract and then you can upgrade to full membership easily for full benefits.
Tku for your help, but that doesn't apply either. I am a published author. I do not meet the qualifications for either Regular or Associate Membership--see the 2nd bullet point in their criteria (perhaps I could fib in the application but that would be a) unethical and b) subject to verification should I need their services.) Also, I had created my own comment to Brooke's post, to see for what I am doing. We are in this AI fight together--and your reply will surely be of help to someone. Thanks:)
I clicked on the Primm book to leave a review, but it has zero reviews (I'm guessing it had some when you left yours). His Author Central has two other books, and neither has any reviews. Perhaps a sign that Amazon is at least investigating(?)
Aargh. Thanks for this enlightening and depressing look at AI-generated fraudulent books, and especially, what we can and cannot do about them. I am saddened, but not surprised, to learn that Amazon is so unhelpful. They seem to have the attitude that they don't care because they don't have to. As if any company is too big to fail! Thanks, too, for the reminder to be vigilant, and to join with the groups like Author's Guild, who are standing up for authors as best they can.
Excellent question, Sandy S. about contacting Google and others.
Chat recommends this - "Google(to have it deindexed--https://support.googlecom/legal/toubleshooter/1114905.. Chat also recommends other tools. You can write to him/her/it about this issue and get a comprehensive list! Chat also drafted a Takedown notice letter for me to use. Wasn't that nice?
Thanks for the info. It gets worse. Did you know that there are websites hosted offshore that steal entire books to give away?
I found out about this accidentally when I went to my buddy, ChatGPT and asked him/her/it to give me a list of all the places where my book is being sold.
That was fun until I came across this one: “Free Download PDF” of my book, If You’d Only Listen: A Medical Memoir of Gaslighting, Grit & Grace. They even included the Amazon description, word for word, and my blurbs, including yours!
I had another chat with Chat and was told that this was but one of many companies who steal books and give them away for “free.” Of course, there’s free and then there’s “free.” Apparently the site collects personal info, sells ads, installs malware, etc.
This one’s address is: https://pdfdrive.to
I could go on with more detail here, but the remedy is to file a DMCA Takedown Notice (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) to the company. Good luck with that. These companies are hosted abroad—apparently my pirate is in the Netherlands.
I haven’t done this yet – it all seems so overwhelming, but I plan to. I’m outraged that they rip off authors and when they’re asked online about whether or not this is legal, here’s their answer:
“https://PDFdrive.to provides links to free educational resources available online. We do not store any files on our servers. Please be aware of copyright laws in your country before downloading. The materials shared are intended for research, educational and personal use in accordance with fair use principles.”
Aye, Matey, it's an ongoing fight between us authors and the pirates of the Caribbean or wherever they plant their flag. May the good guys and gals win!
Yeah—so this is a whole other issue of piracy, which is probably bigger than counterfeit honestly and a total disaster, too. Thanks for this info, Rosie. There are actually more remedies and actions for piracy than for counterfeit and my guess is that's just because piracy has been a problem for longer—and because AI is making it grossly simple to summarize someone's content and then call it their work. And then the people who are supposed to protect us just aren't doing it.
Ever thus. Those who are supposed to look out for our interests? Especially now?Asleep at the wheel. I'll let you know what I find out when I send a DMCA Takedown Notice. I love the word "takedown." Sounds like kicking butt!
Thanks, Brooke for getting this word out. You asked for other ideas--and this is in addition to what you suggest, not to replace anything you say: My zon About the Author includes a statement of what books are mine and that none other are, plus it has a copy and paste from zon's terms and conditions, all to alert readers that they need to use caution when shopping. (Search for my name on zon if you want to read it.) PS I never use their full name in my post/replies/comments, surely you all know what I mean when I say "zon."
What is the possibility of having Google and other browsers remove the links to these bad actors?
Google will take down pirated copies/links, but not Amazon counterfeit products.
Another reason to move away from Amazon as much as possible. I know that is scary for authors to hear, but Amazon is an abuser in so many ways. Until we all wake up to how they are killing off our small businesses, pushing their weight around with unions and our governments at city, state and federal levels, they will continues to ignore any duties they might have to protecting us from such abuses.
Agreed, Sandy!
PS. Why not ask Google to stop providing links to Amazon until they clean-up their act! :-) I know ....
Thank you Brooke!
This is so disturbing and seems like the proverbial rock being pushed up the hill only to...
Wow. Thanks for the tips at the end, Brooke, because as I read these horror stories, I thought, "Oh, now what do I do?" I always appreciate your candid, clear, and honest take on what's happening in the publishing industry.
This is so disturbing Brooke! Truly can't get over that people can be so crummy for their own self-interest. Thanks for helping to educate all of us. I'm even more bothered that Amazon took down your review. Seriously?! Amazon is only perpetuating the problem. UGG!
YIKES!! Thank you for this very useful (and upsetting) information!
"...deep exasperation." Yes, that's how I feel every time I hear stuff like this. And yet, it's everywhere. I can't stand AI, but even I search for things using "Copilot" because it's so much faster than a Google search riddled with ads. I'm feeding the monster. Thanks again for a great post.
Great post, and I share the sentiment about the gordian knot (though I personally don't use AI for writing or researching; however "antiquated" this may make me, I deeply believe I wouldn't be able to write or market the way I do now if I had not spent years sharpening my mental tools).
I think the deeper problem is that even if you don’t intend to use AI, it’s seeping into everything. Whereas you and I might be knowledgeable about AI and know when to turn it off, many people don’t even realize when they are using AI. They’re embedded in search engines and common word processing programs. Writers search for images in places they are told are safe from AI and get AI images. It takes effort, constant vigilance , and education in order to AVOID ai at this point.
Interesting point and I agree. Yikes!
I didn’t realize how pervasive this issue is until I read your post. Thank you, Brooke!
One more thing authors might do is join Authors Guild. The Authors Guild has a liaison with Amazon which can be helpful in getting issues addressed.
Your observation about the irony of AI detection of AI-generated fake books is spot on. What a reality -- based on a hall of distorted mirrors.
Yes, everyone join The Authors Guild for sure!
Sadly, not all authors are eligible to join Authors Guild, at least not at the membership level that comes with legal or zon help. I know, I'm one of them.
Question, even if all we've published is one short poem?
Good question. You might have to be a published author to join. I actually don't know what their policies are. But you can also support them with a donation.
Sadly, not all authors are eligible to join Authors Guild, at least not at the membership level that comes with legal or zon help. I know, I'm one of them.
The Emerging Writer level of membership gives you access to a lot of resources before you get a publishing contract and then you can upgrade to full membership easily for full benefits.
Tku for your help, but that doesn't apply either. I am a published author. I do not meet the qualifications for either Regular or Associate Membership--see the 2nd bullet point in their criteria (perhaps I could fib in the application but that would be a) unethical and b) subject to verification should I need their services.) Also, I had created my own comment to Brooke's post, to see for what I am doing. We are in this AI fight together--and your reply will surely be of help to someone. Thanks:)
Thank you, Brooke.
Thank you for publishing this. You made me much more aware of a problem. I only peripherally knew about. But a sad state of affairs.
I clicked on the Primm book to leave a review, but it has zero reviews (I'm guessing it had some when you left yours). His Author Central has two other books, and neither has any reviews. Perhaps a sign that Amazon is at least investigating(?)
I hope so. Unfortunately I just got an email from Amazon rejecting my review, so that might be part of it too. It says:
We couldn't post your review because it doesn't meet our guidelines for one or more of these reasons:
Profanity
Harassment
Hate speech
Sexual content
Illegal activity
Private information
Please edit and resubmit your review. Before you do, make sure it meets all of our community guidelines.
I mean, come on . . .
Oh wow. Okay, I'll try a "neutral" tone with my one star
Aargh. Thanks for this enlightening and depressing look at AI-generated fraudulent books, and especially, what we can and cannot do about them. I am saddened, but not surprised, to learn that Amazon is so unhelpful. They seem to have the attitude that they don't care because they don't have to. As if any company is too big to fail! Thanks, too, for the reminder to be vigilant, and to join with the groups like Author's Guild, who are standing up for authors as best they can.
The Authors Guild is such an important org. Yes, we all need to be members—if only to show that they're a force with many authors behind them.
Thanks for this post Brooke. This is scary and upsetting. I had no idea this was happening.
Excellent question, Sandy S. about contacting Google and others.
Chat recommends this - "Google(to have it deindexed--https://support.googlecom/legal/toubleshooter/1114905.. Chat also recommends other tools. You can write to him/her/it about this issue and get a comprehensive list! Chat also drafted a Takedown notice letter for me to use. Wasn't that nice?