I had an idea for an eguide, so I just finished writing it in Word. I have never written one before, but this is what I am thinking. I would like to sell it on ebay and instead of getting an email with a download link, I would like to send people an actual hard ciopy of my guide.
What steps do I need to do now in order to protect it, so no one trys to reproduce it and resell it? Like I said I am new to all this, but think I have a real good idea.
What do you guys think?
Posted on: 9:18 pm on May 24, 2006
Storyman
Welcome to the forum.
What you're planning will work. How well it'll work, I don't know. My concerns fall in line with yours; in that it will be copied and resold. It happens. Ebay occasionally even has sellers that try to sell digital copies of best sellers. So it happens.
On the other hand, I know of a seller who has made over a $100K a year, for several years, with a PDF ebook from a single web site. Her customers have been good about not attempting to resell the ebook on Ebay or anywhere else.
My suggestion would be to use the Activ compiler with one of the two Automatic Payment Systems available. APS works with PayPal and makes it easy for the customer to purchase the ebook and to immediately recieve a code to unlock the book. If you search through the forums here you'll find more information.
Be wary of those ebooks that promise to show you how to make huge profits from an ebook. It isn't that easy. It takes a commitment and willingness to learn. Your current project may or may not be a big seller, but it will be worth it for the experience.
Good luck.
(Edited by Storyman at 2:24 pm on May 24, 2006)
Posted on: 10:22 pm on May 24, 2006
deweygamble
I figured if I made print outs and mailed them to people it would help prevent people from stealing the idea. Also, how do I go about getting a copyright on there? Do I just type something up like "You may not copy, redisbribute, sell etc..." on there or does it have to be something official?
I really think I have come up with something big and am really eager to learn what to do. Thanks for your help.
Posted on: 12:28 am on May 25, 2006
Storyman
If you're British this is the government's web site about Intellectual Properties.
Stick with the government sites. There are web sites with bad information about doing a "poor man's" copyright. Remember, "It is the cheap man who pays the most."
Posted on: 1:28 am on May 25, 2006
deweygamble
Thanks for the replys. I think I might register my eguide down the road depending upon how it sells. I have a question though. What should I write in my ebook so people know not to steal my ideas or redistribute them without penalty? Is there a standard copyright "saying" that people put in there ebooks or guides?
Posted on: 5:19 pm on May 25, 2006
Storyman
The best advice I can provide is that you consult an Intellectual Rights attorney. Or go to your local book store/library. If you are in the states check out Nolopress' books on copyright.
A WORD OF CAUTION: Don't see your family attorney for Intellectual Rights information! I've been involved in the entertainment industry for some time and can tell you unless they specialize in Intellectual Rights there is a good chance that they have no idea. Oh, they'll offer you advice, but I've seen writers get absolutely screwed by following an attorney's advice who was not an Intellectual Rights specialist.
BOTTOM LINE: Buy or borrow a current book on copyrights or see an Intellectual Rights attorney. You can avoid the hundreds of dollars a good Intellectual Rights attorney charges per hour by carefully reading the appropriate government web site. At this level you don't really need the big guns--just basic information that can be found on the website(s).
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