Our pirated works on multiple sites

[Smuttyandfun]

After providing screenshots and text excerpts to Amazon proving that "Art of Deception - Renaissance" was stolen by Ashwin Kr, I received the response below indicating that Amazon would remove it. I just confirmed that it no longer appears on Ashwin Kr's page.

However, 19 of the stories that Smuttyandfun listed above are still posted to Ashwin Kr's page, even though my complaint asked Amazon to remove ALL the stolen stories, not just mine. Only my story's ASIN is listed in Amazon's reply below, so unfortunately it seems that they are treating each story on a case-by-case basis.

=================

RESPONSE FROM AMAZON

Hello,

Thank you for your message. Please be advised that we are in the process of removing the following Kindle titles from sale on all Amazon sites:

B0BGT26SV8

It typically takes 2-3 days for the changes to be reflected on the sites. We trust this will bring this matter to a close.

Complaint ID: [redacted]

Regards,
Amazon.com

=================

For those whose stolen stories are still posted, and for those who might see this thread in the future, here is what I did to get my story removed. I hope you never have to take these steps. But if you do, I hope this explanation and level of detail will be helpful.

1. File a copyright complaint via Amazon's website. Make sure to indicate that your entire work was copied word-for-word, not just the title (I didn't specify this in my original complaint). I'd also recommend including in the Description section two text excerpts (one from your story and one from the stolen story) to show that they are identical. I didn't do this. If you do it right off the bat, you may get faster results.

2. You'll receive a response from their ip-inquiries email address. I got an automated response saying my complaint was received, then a follow-up response saying that only the title and subject matter were the same. They basically said they couldn't take action unless I could prove the text was copied word-for-word.

3. Reply to the email you received from their ip-inquiries email address with specifics. State that your work has been copied in its entirety. Add that your work is available for free on Literotica (provide a link), whereas the Amazon user is attempting to sell the stolen copy.

4. In your reply, provide specific examples to prove your work was copied. I pasted a long text excerpt from my story and labeled it "Excerpt from Original Story". I included a link to the story and its publication date. I pasted the identical text excerpt below that and labeled it "Excerpt from Stolen Story". I included a link and the date it was posted to show that my story had been published first. I also included multiple screenshots of text of the stolen story that I grabbed from the "preview text" feature on Amazon.

I hope this information is helpful.

Thanks.

I'll try what you've done with the screen shots, and hopefully it'll work for me, too.

It's so annoying that we have to jump through all these hoops just to prove that we've been ripped off, when Amazon should be pulling the thief off their website, now that they've been told that every story this creep is trying to sell has been stolen.

 

[ThatNewGuy]

Thanks.

I'll try what you've done with the screen shots, and hopefully it'll work for me, too.

It's so annoying that we have to jump through all these hoops just to prove that we've been ripped off, when Amazon should be pulling the thief off their website, now that they've been told that every story this creep is trying to sell has been stolen.

You're absolutely right. You shouldn't have to go through the same steps to have your story removed. It's absurd. Once Amazon accepts that even one story that user claims to have written has been stolen, then that account should be insta-banned and all its stories removed.

 

[OldFloridaGuy]

I've not read all of this thread but what I have read sounds a hulluva lot like dozens of threads on photography forums regarding copyright.
Lots of opinions and partially researched comments -PRC.
So, I'll add my PRC .
Just pay the $45 and officially register in one filing, up to 50 of your published or unpublished works.
I've done similar bulk registration of photos, and it is fairly painless
https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ67.pdf

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I've not read all of this thread but what I have read sounds a hulluva lot like dozens of threads on photography forums regarding copyright.
Lots of opinions and partially researched comments -PRC.
So, I'll add my PRC .
Just pay the $45 and officially register in one filing, up to 50 of your published or unpublished works.
I've done similar bulk registration of photos, and it is fairly painless
https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ67.pdf

On my older stories I had been putting a copyright symbol with my Lit name and year, and I think I'm going to start doing that again. Considering this particular thief was so lazy, they even left the Halloween contest note in place that I have at the beginning of my story. So, I imagine they just slapped on a cover with their fake name and put them all on Amazon.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

You're absolutely right. You shouldn't have to go through the same steps to have your story removed. It's absurd. Once Amazon accepts that even one story that user claims to have written has been stolen, then that account should be insta-banned and all its stories removed.

Success! I just checked and Ashwin Kr, and all our stories have been deleted from Amazon. I had put a comment on all the stories involved, to let the other authors know that their work had been pirated. And it looks like some of them must have complained, because Amazon finally sat up and took notice and removed the fake author along with our pirated stories.

 

[ThatNewGuy]

Success! I just checked and Ashwin Kr, and all our stories have been deleted from Amazon. I had put a comment on all the stories involved, to let the other authors know that their work had been pirated. And it looks like some of them must have complained, because Amazon finally sat up and took notice and removed the fake author along with our pirated stories.

That's great news. Thanks again for making folks aware of the latest theft and for working to get all the stories removed. It's very much appreciated.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

That's great news. Thanks again for making folks aware of the latest theft and for working to get all the stories removed. It's very much appreciated.

I was just glad Amazon finally did something. Only problem is, I noticed three stories are still showing up on goodreads, of course with the same fake author. I'm not exactly sure how anyone can get anything deleted off of there. But at least they're not being pirated on Amazon anymore.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I just found one of my stories: A Fool in Love, on another site: Dr. Jakob V. Kris - Medium. He's even got audio, so someone can listen to it. Fat lot of good it does, but it even shows that it's got a copyright.

There are several other Literotica author's stories on there, too. I just happened to google this particular story and noticed that he's copied quite a few others.

It looks like the site is called Medium. Another person on there - Madison B. Kreiger has lifted quite a few stories from this site.

 

[KeithD]

Yes, that happens with stories posted to an open-access site.

 

[PennameWombat]

I've not read all of this thread but what I have read sounds a hulluva lot like dozens of threads on photography forums regarding copyright.
Lots of opinions and partially researched comments -PRC.
So, I'll add my PRC .
Just pay the $45 and officially register in one filing, up to 50 of your published or unpublished works.
I've done similar bulk registration of photos, and it is fairly painless
https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ67.pdf

That doesn’t work for most of my stories here, as for this filing each individual work cannot be longer than 17,500 words, and most of what I post here is longer than that. I could split some into chapters, but for many of them, there is no intended split, they’re meant to be single stories.

In addition, all works included within a single registration application must be published within a three month period.

The GRTX registration process you cite also does require the works be ‘published’ online, either on your own website or some other platform, unlike standard literary works registration.

YMMV.

 

[Stimtheone]

I was actually worried that my stuff might be reposted elsewhere. Such is the internet. The only issue might have been to have someone else get paid for it. Then I found out that a lot of publications would reject my work for the content. Either way, I am not phased by it. As long as the text survives in its original, let it go and have a bigger audience.

Honestly, I would openly allow people to send my work off elsewhere, at best just needing a polite request. Less work for me to not have to push this all at once. I know it can feel unpleasant for one to feel plagiarized, but I see it as a lot more getting the chance to see it. And people NOTICE.

 

[jsmiam]

…It looks like the site is called Medium…

Interesting for a different reason too.
That site is supposedly mainstream, a microblogging site almost. They’re on the App Store. (For spite, if they don’t promptly reply and remove the stories, report them to Apple. Thinking somehow they’re not in control of absolutely everything will definitely motivate apple to do something.

My experience with it was from years ago. I recall leaving, feeling discontent but I don’t remember why, other than saying “I’m done with them.” (Resorting to shenanigans to get me to create an account sticks in my mind, but I don’t recall. )

 

[MillieDynamite]

I just found one of my stories: A Fool in Love, on another site: Dr. Jakob V. Kris - Medium. He's even got audio, so someone can listen to it. Fat lot of good it does, but it even shows that it's got a copyright.

There are several other Literotica author's stories on there, too. I just happened to google this particular story and noticed that he's copied quite a few others.

It looks like the site is called Medium. Another person on there - Madison B. Kreiger has lifted quite a few stories from this site.

Does he credit the Original authors? Is the work legally copyrighted, or are you using your stated copyright as the "copyright?" While you put the copyright on the work, it isn't mandatory that Medium or the writer take it down if it isn't a registered copyright. But again, does he credit the original poster or not?