posted on August 9, 2001 01:56:26 AM new
I have a book I want to sell. This book is also offer on Amazon and have a full editoral review of the book. My question is can I copied this editorial review into my auction description with full credit give to the reviewer? Or is that a violation of some copyright laws? Also, am I subject to VERO?
I do not want to link to the Amazon description as that may cost me a sale.
posted on August 9, 2001 05:08:18 AM new
Hi, commentary - I frequently quote the blurbs from the back of a dustjacket, or the material from the inner folds of the dj, and give the source, as do many other booksellers. I have not quoted a full review such as you mention but I might under some circumstances.
If the review is one from an Amazon customer (and therefore, I believe, belongs to Amazon) I would NOT quote it. If it is reprinted there from another source such as a newspaper, then I might.
posted on August 9, 2001 06:24:06 AM new
I just found a review I did on Amazon for a CD that a seller had copied into their description on an auction for the CD on eBay.
I was a little dumbfounded, but also flattered. They even used a mis-spelling I had in the review !!!
posted on August 9, 2001 08:27:27 AM newREAMOND- I beleive they call misspellings on purpose, or other intricacies to deviate "spikes" so that those that are copying do get busted so to say..
posted on August 9, 2001 09:11:07 AM new
Thanks for the response. I should have been more clear. The review is under the section of "Editiorial Reviews" and is not a customer review. It seems that the Editorial Reviews are professional reviews.
As a side question, I am planning to put these books up on ebay. Books are mostly historical books. I did not see other copies on ebay. If I offer them at about 1/3rd of what used books go for on Amazon or other book sites, will that encourage sales? Or does the pricing not really matter, and if someone wants the book they will not mind paying up to 1/2 or more of what other site is listing the book at.
posted on August 10, 2001 12:37:20 PM new
It's copyright infringement if you don't have permission from the author of the review to quote from it. You could provide a link to the review in your auction, I suppose.
You can quote dustjacket blurbs as long as you say where you got it. For example ~
From the dustjacket: "This, the author's first novel is a riveting account of a family in crisis & how they overcame their hardships and went on to become world-famous elephant trainers."
But you can't say in your auction description ~
This novel is a riveting account of a family in crisis & how they overcame their hardships and went on to become world-famous elephant trainers.
And that is true whether you got it from the dustjacket or from a review. Anything must be attributed, and you must have permission to use it. There is a difference between reviews and anything printed on/in the book. A review is a separate work in itself, and to quote from it you need permission.
A a short quote from the dustjacket, or from the book itself is okay, as long as it is attributed - that's called "fair use."
I have a website, list my items with an online listing/search service, and sell on eBay. I have a continuing problem with people stealing my copyrighted text from the website or the serach service to use on eBay. Some of them are like reviews. They are copyrighted (as is most everything on the web) and believe me, I do everything I can to stop these folks. This past week even a big online auction house (not eBay, a big auction house that has their own site) stole one of my descriptions. This sort of thing is getting really out of hand on tbe web - and it's just so unnecessary.
Please don't copy the review off Amazon - just link to it, or say something like "this book has gotten great reviews at Amazon & elsewhere" or, even better, say something like "The dustjacket prints words of praise from the Los Angeles Times, The Seattle Weekly, and The New York Times Book Review, who called the book 'a fascinating look at the world of elephant trainers.'"
(I just made all these quotes up, by the way.)
Hope this helps. I have had a lot of experience with online copyright issues, drop me a line if you have more questions or want links.
By the way, I'm really glad you asked about this, 'cause way too many folks just go ahead and copy the words without worrying about it. I'm glad you're more conscientious than that! Here's to you!
Thanks for the answer. I am trying to upgrade my knowledge about book selling. I usually do not deal in books. Trying to help a friend out.
I have no problem with a link to Amazon as my intention now is to price it below what is being offer on there. Maybe the link will even help me to sell the book. However, I am slightly concern with a possible violation of ebay linking rules. After all, Amazon is another venue to buy the item.
I guess what I have to do is try and piecemeal something together without offending or infringing on anyone. My books are historical in nature so I think I need a slight description to help sell it.
By the way, does anyone have a link for cleaning books. Like dust off the edges, brushing up the dustjacket, etc...
Also, I gave up trying to discern if a books is a true first edition or not. Every book is marked first edition. But, I am sure not every book is one.
[ edited by commentary on Aug 10, 2001 03:07 PM ]
posted on August 10, 2001 08:50:44 PM new
Yep, I have an excellent resource for advice on cleaning books, (and all sorts of other book-collecting information).
There is a newsgroup, rec.collecting.books, that is a terrific place to learn. One of the regular posters, Mike Berro, has put together a FAQ which answers the most common book-collecting question, incorporating advice from those who post to the newsgroup. This really excellent FAQ is located at http://www.massmedia.com/~mikeb/rcb/
You can also check my book-collecting pages at http://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/bookselling.html & http://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/firstedition.html
The first edition page will be expanded in the future to include more publishing houses. If there's a publisher you don't see listed, you can drop me a line and I'll look it up for you in one of my reference books.
Yes - links most helpful. Main problem is cleaning the dust stains of the top edge of each book. Do not want to attempt the cleanup until I read up on the subject.
posted on August 10, 2001 09:45:36 PM new
One of the best things for cleaning page edges is a document cleaner. They are also sold under different names, but they are a little cotton bag (maybe 4 inches by 2 inches) filled with eraser crumbs which you rub over the paper. Those can be good for cleaning finger smudges and other light soiling as well.
My favorite way to clean dustjackets (the coated ones - the uncoated ones that are often on older books are problematic) is to put a little lighter fluid on a clean cloth or paper towel and to rub it over the soiled spot, or the sticker residue. It easily removes sticker residue. The lighter fluid will evaporate and leave nothing behind so you're left with a real clean book. Two other things that also work are lamp oil, which is terrific for stickers (but be careful to clean it off well afterwards), and that orange cleaning fluid - the stuff that's made from citrus oil. It has a pleasant smell and works well - you may have to use just a little more elbow grease than with the lighter fluid though.
It is a terrific degreaser.
Oh, and for blacked-out prices on paperback covers, -even if marker was used - and for pencil marks, get a plastic eraser. I like Staedtler Mars Plastic erasers, but any will do. They are gentle to the paper and if you are patient they will often remove those black marks.
This book once had a four-inch 9¢ in black marker on the front cover and the plastic eraser took it off in about 5 minutes, without a trace. http://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/fante1.JPG
posted on August 10, 2001 09:49:31 PM new
One thing I should mention about the fluid cleaners in the last post, is that you should always be careful not to rub too hard as on some surfaces it can lift the ink. This is rarely a problem on coated dustjackets (as most modern ones are) but one must exercise especial care with paperbacks. And they will stain uncoated papers.
I deal with other kinds of collectibles. I also find it best that cleaning should be left to experts. In my case, the buyer will know more than me. My objective is to clean off the dust on the top edge as best as I can without dirtying the book. Anything else, I leave it up to the buyer.
I am planning to describe fully the condition of the book. Since, I cannot properly discern first editions, I am downplaying selling to book collectors. These books are mostly historical in nature and somewhat obscure. I am going to look for buyers interested in the historical content rather than the collectibility of the book. Also going to have a caveat in my description indicating I am a newbie when it comes to books. Hopefully, this will reduce number of returns from the more discriminating buyers.
I hate to deal with an unhappy buyer. Rather have a lower sales price than problems.
