I'm late to this party, but I've found the thread interesting and want to add my two cents.
I've done a good amount of file sharing. Over the years, probably at least a terabyte of stuff. I'm on a few private torrent trackers that are invite-only. I've used file lockers. I've got a lot of music, movies, games, programs, and books for free.
I've also bought a lot of movies, music, games, programs, and books. A whole lot. Last count, I had over 5000 books, close to 10,000 videos and games, a whole bunch of legally obtained music. All originals.
File sharing has lead to me discovering things that I then go on to buy. I like originals on my shelf.
In some cases, file sharing is the only way to get media that is rare or out of print. It is astonishing how much stuff has never been released digitally. Stuff I'd gladly pay for, but no one will take my money because no one is selling it, except maybe on eBay for ridiculous amounts.
It's my belief that, in many cases, if I could acquire an original of something quickly, easily, and for a decent price, I'd buy it rather than steal it.
Oh, and also, I'm a bestselling author.
Just joined Mobilism, and searched for the names I write under, J.A. Konrath, Jack Kilborn, and Joe Kimball, and found a lot of links to my ebooks for free.
I'm fine with that. In fact, if I could ask a favor, I need more people to read Timecaster and Timecaster Supersymmetry by Joe Kimball. These are sci-fi action thrillers with a lot of humor and sex, and they haven't found their audience yet. Please read them any way you can, and if you'd be so kind post reviews on sites like Amazon.com, Goodreads, and BN.com. Spread the word.
I've blogged about piracy before, http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/05/piracy-again.html and even done my own experiments http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/05/s ... ebook.html. In my experience, piracy doesn't hurt sales, and in fact can help an artist sell more copies.
Now I can't say that also applies to Adobe or M$, but then my ebooks are reasonably priced at $2.99 each, not $399.99. I make my work available and obtainable as easily, quickly, and cheaply as possible. I insist that none of my ebooks have DRM (the ebook that I control--some are still controlled by my publishers). And I still managed to make a good living, even though I'm being pirated like crazy. I've even been known to seed Demonoid torrents of my own work.
Information wants to be free. But that doesn't mean artists will stop getting paid. File sharing is just another distribution channel, like libraries, bookstores, and Amazon. I don't think it is any different than recording a song off the radio, burning a CD for your buddy, lending a book to your mom, renting a movie from Netflix, or watching TV.
That's what the author of the English Monster doesn't understand. Pirates aren't preventing him from earning a living. His publisher is preventing him from earning a living, by charging $9.99 for an ebook download. That's insane. Why should a download be more than a paper copy?
Anyway, just thought I'd chime in as someone who is cool with file sharing, and still manages to get paid. Please read and discuss my Timecaster books--they need your help.
Joe Konrath
viewtopic.php?f=1147&t=313662
I've done a good amount of file sharing. Over the years, probably at least a terabyte of stuff. I'm on a few private torrent trackers that are invite-only. I've used file lockers. I've got a lot of music, movies, games, programs, and books for free.
I've also bought a lot of movies, music, games, programs, and books. A whole lot. Last count, I had over 5000 books, close to 10,000 videos and games, a whole bunch of legally obtained music. All originals.
File sharing has lead to me discovering things that I then go on to buy. I like originals on my shelf.
In some cases, file sharing is the only way to get media that is rare or out of print. It is astonishing how much stuff has never been released digitally. Stuff I'd gladly pay for, but no one will take my money because no one is selling it, except maybe on eBay for ridiculous amounts.
It's my belief that, in many cases, if I could acquire an original of something quickly, easily, and for a decent price, I'd buy it rather than steal it.
Oh, and also, I'm a bestselling author.
Just joined Mobilism, and searched for the names I write under, J.A. Konrath, Jack Kilborn, and Joe Kimball, and found a lot of links to my ebooks for free.
I'm fine with that. In fact, if I could ask a favor, I need more people to read Timecaster and Timecaster Supersymmetry by Joe Kimball. These are sci-fi action thrillers with a lot of humor and sex, and they haven't found their audience yet. Please read them any way you can, and if you'd be so kind post reviews on sites like Amazon.com, Goodreads, and BN.com. Spread the word.
I've blogged about piracy before, http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/05/piracy-again.html and even done my own experiments http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/05/s ... ebook.html. In my experience, piracy doesn't hurt sales, and in fact can help an artist sell more copies.
Now I can't say that also applies to Adobe or M$, but then my ebooks are reasonably priced at $2.99 each, not $399.99. I make my work available and obtainable as easily, quickly, and cheaply as possible. I insist that none of my ebooks have DRM (the ebook that I control--some are still controlled by my publishers). And I still managed to make a good living, even though I'm being pirated like crazy. I've even been known to seed Demonoid torrents of my own work.
Information wants to be free. But that doesn't mean artists will stop getting paid. File sharing is just another distribution channel, like libraries, bookstores, and Amazon. I don't think it is any different than recording a song off the radio, burning a CD for your buddy, lending a book to your mom, renting a movie from Netflix, or watching TV.
That's what the author of the English Monster doesn't understand. Pirates aren't preventing him from earning a living. His publisher is preventing him from earning a living, by charging $9.99 for an ebook download. That's insane. Why should a download be more than a paper copy?
Anyway, just thought I'd chime in as someone who is cool with file sharing, and still manages to get paid. Please read and discuss my Timecaster books--they need your help.
Joe Konrath
viewtopic.php?f=1147&t=313662