Here we go again

Some people never learn.

Let's try this ONE more time, shall we? In case you missed a very steamed post of mine last summer, you might want to follow this link: to catch up on what I'm about to rant about.

pla·gia·rism /ˈpleɪdʒəˌrɪzəm, -dʒiəˌrɪz-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pley-juh-riz-uhm, -jee-uh-riz-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.
2. something used and represented in this manner.
[Origin: 1615–25; plagiar(y) + -ism]

—Related forms
pla·gia·rist, noun
pla·gia·ris·tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

(thank you dictionary.com. Cut and paste is SO much fun)

At any rate, let's take this step by step. If you post something by a writer on your site/blog/journal/WHATEVER without first obtaining the permission of said writer and/or the publication that owns the rights to said story, then you are guilty of plagiarism. If you obtain a download of an e-book and sell it online to other people then you are committing a CRIME.

Does the word crime confuse you? Here, let me help you out:

crime /kraɪm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[krahym] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state and that is legally prohibited.
2. criminal activity and those engaged in it: to fight crime.
3. the habitual or frequent commission of crimes: a life of crime.
4. any offense, serious wrongdoing, or sin.
5. a foolish, senseless, or shameful act: It's a crime to let that beautiful garden go to ruin.

Once again, thank you dictionary.com!

I can't believe that after the scathing commentary and initial response not only by this author but others as well that blogger.com allowed the idiot at www.14blog.blogspot.com to post again and up to the same old tricks! When I found out that this moron had ONCE AGAIN posted writers' work (and one a very good friend) on his blog I left a fairly scathing comment.

He deleted it. *shrug* shock.

Left the spam up though. I was almost insulted that my words of wisdom were considered less injurious than spam, but what the heck! Obviously, I ticked him off. After other writer complaints, apparently, the blog has been pulled.

FINALLY.

As for the e-book pirates, you know who you are. Cut it out! I know that my publishers at least are aggressively pursuing (and prosecuting) those who think it's a quick and easy buck to pilfer copyrighted works and offer them on e-bay or other sales sites. It's not. Trust me. It will cost you a hell of a lot more in the end than it will cost me, and I'm very assertive about protecting the rights to my work. I don't have time for criminals and I will not tolerate it.

Granted, the e-publishing industry has a lot to answer for in its inability to protect the work of writers. It's easy to throw a site up and publish in the cyber-world and not so easy to make certain that a product of bytes and pdf. files remains under your control. For the first time, I feel a little empathy for the musicians who went after Napster. Just a little though. They make millions of dollars. I don't. My work ends up being far more valuable to me in the long run for that reason alone. Every pirated copy COSTS me money, and you guys know I am WAY too cheap to suffer that lightly.

So you idiotic piss midget (All rights reserved@2006 by bibsy, the coiner of said phrase) -- and you KNOW who you are-- get a clue. Did you REALLY think that those people who lambasted you last year weren't going to keep an eye on you? I mean, honestly, hasn't it been brought home to you that we are smarter than you? Get a new hobby! Post reviews about new kites, or complain about trash pickup or SOMETHING that won't get you into trouble. Quite frankly, I'm shocked you haven't been prosecuted yet.

And you will be if you post anything written by me. Period. Just a fair warning.

Now I'm grumpy. I think I'll go kill off some Elves.