Hi, I wrote a book in 2007 and self published using a company on the understanding that I would retain the copyright but they would arrange for it to be sold on Amazon and through other sites including their own. Any copies sold by them would earn me royalties, and I received a few small payments from them over the following two years. I have not heard from them since and they do not answer letters or emails.
I have since found that my book is still being offered for sale by several sellers on eBay and on Amazon, and several internet companies in the USA, Australia and even India. One company states on eBay that they own the copyright - which they clearly do not. I have pointed this out to them but I don't get a reply. I contacted a publisher in the USA last year as they too stated that they owned the copyright, but again I was ignored - what can I do about this? I have not received any royalties. The book is still being offered on Amazon and I contacted them but they said it is nothing to do with them. Please can anyone help?
may i ask where you are from? I am from england, so i know here depending on circumstances you should get an hour free with some law companies, and others give legal aid if you dont have much money, then there is citizens advice who can help you find these places, but if you are from anywhere else, i am not sure how it works.....!
i am so sorry to hear you are having to go through something like this, and if these ppl have been taken to court before they will have it on record and hopefully will eventually be stopped!
I forgot to add that I have been digging and found out that several other writers got together and took this company to court but failed to get any royalties out of them.
Hi thanks for your prompt replies, yes I did sign a contract, but the company will not respond to any queries about it. Copies of the book were also placed with the various libraries. I am retired - old - disabled and poor so can't afford a solicitor. I just wondered really if there is a sort of 'governing body' which deals with matters of copyright, something like trading standards etc...?