Yesterday I sent an e-mail to Yahoo!’s copyright/IP agent,
identifying myself as one of the authors whose work was being used on the
CleverHomemaker’s list without proper attribution or permission.
The e-mail I received in response to my initial complaint
told me I had to provide my full name, signature, address, phone number, and
e-mail address – yet that e-mail came from a generic address and was not signed
by an individual. The e-mail also stressed that I had to make my statements “under
penalty of perjury.” It also directed me to a page on Yahoo!’s website that
said my complaint (including my address) might be forwarded in its entirety to
the person who stole my work – and yet I don’t know that individual’s full name
or address. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?
I file the official Notice of Infringement with Yahoo! (no
response yet) and have been advised by the corporate counsel at Entrepreneur
Media that he will be filing a complaint today as well. I don’t know what action
the other writers involved may take.
I’ll let you know when something happens.
Jacquelyn's latest book is Christian Business Almanac: The Ultimate Daily Guide for Kingdom-Driven Entrepreneurs and Leaders.
She is the author of the nonfiction books Simple Facts About Self-Publishing (Second Edition), Words to Work By: 31 devotions for the workplace based on the Book of Proverbs and Finding Joy in the Morning: You can make it through the night as well as the novel Choices (A Joyful Cup Story). With her husband, she is the co-creator of several coloring books for adults and the novelty My Book About series.
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I’ve been in contact with two of the other writers and one has also contacted Yahoo and filed the requisite complaint. However, the other writer was very nonchalant and said it happens all the time. It’s that type of apathy that allows this sort of activity to continue. I sincerely hope that Yahoo does the right thing and takes a stand against copyright infringement.