Plagiarism does't pay

[FrancisM]

Following many years of research I was able to publish my work and sales and feedback have justified the effort.
So I was disappointed when I bought a publication earlier this year which included photographs and direct extracts of my text, even though my work had been acknowledged in part. What upset me most of all was that the author had actually previously asked me if I would contribute but I had declined.
Following protracted negotiations between my lawyer and the publisher an agreement has been reached. I have now been financially compensated for the breach of copyright and the publisher has conceded they used the information without first obtaining permission.
Should anyone require help or further details please contact me privately.

Frank

[John Vasco]

Pleased to know of this.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hellon Frank!
Nice topic, although it is sad news for you...I sent my complete work unpublished to several UK and USA Editors. After some contacts down here with other famous and well known writers, one of them told me NEVER to send the WHOLE book to the Editors, just samples. I did not get a contract, and am actually afraid some huge parts of my work were copied down...
I do not know but I have seen photographs of Bundersarchiv being used down here in Brazil without Copyrights in magazines as well in books. We, that believe in Ethics should provide this kind of feedback information and tell everybody when what happened to you happen abroad. Do wish it will never happend to you again and wish nobody else will face this kind of piratery.
Friendly yours
Adriano Baumgartner

[Franek Grabowski]

Adriano, you need a photo to be copyrighted, to breach the copyright.

[Doug Stankey]

Yes, people should be aware of this aspect of writing. Send only samples, never send any significant part of a manuscript without first obtaining a contract and having some means to justify claiming original authorship (such as extensive notes and drafts).

Some years ago, a former teacher of mine wrote a couple of computer programming books. He sent them to several prospective publishers, but they all turned him down. Apparently they thought they weren't worth paying for his manuscript, but someone felt it was worth stealing! He later found examples of his books for sale in local book stores, attributed to a different "author".

So, beware people! Apart from limited samples, never let anyone you don't absolutely trust have access to your opus until you have a contract.

DGS

[John Vasco]

Good point, Doug. But Frank did not send anything to the Polish company that did this to him. They just ripped him off. It's the company that has the most prolific aviation book writer in the world, if you haven't already guessed...

[yogybär]

Can please anyone point out what was that company / author?

[Brian]

Not me!!!


Brian

[John Beaman]

The company is Kagero and the author is Murawski.

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Francis

Sad news... and suddenly it becomes less intriguing how these guys can publish at such rate... just let someone do all the research and hard work first, and then publish under your own name.

Kind of happy that your lawyers got a compensation, but also kind of sad that low budget readers will probably opt to buy the copy and not the original work from your hands.

Regards,
Andreas B