Amazon Removes Fraudulent Books After Backlash from Author
Professor Jane Friedman recently raised concerns about books being attributed to her on Amazon that she did not write. Initially, Amazon refused to remove the books, but after Friedman took her case to Twitter and gained support from the Authors Guild, Amazon changed its stance and removed the books. The books had titles related to writing and publishing on Amazon and seemed to use Friedman’s name and reputation as an author. Other authors also shared similar experiences of having their names used without permission on fraudulent books. The Authors Guild has offered to assist its members in contacting Amazon’s senior management about fraudulent works. The organization believes that the first step in addressing this issue is requiring author consent and compensation for using their work. While Friedman’s books were eventually removed, she expressed concern for other authors who may not have the same platform to raise awareness.
Key Points:
- Professor Jane Friedman complained about books being attributed to her on Amazon that she did not write.
- Initially, Amazon refused to remove the books, but after Friedman gained support from the Authors Guild on Twitter, Amazon removed the books.
- The books had titles related to writing and publishing on Amazon and seemed to use Friedman’s name and reputation.
- Other authors shared similar experiences of having their names used without permission on fraudulent books.
- The Authors Guild offers assistance to its members in contacting Amazon’s senior management about fraudulent works.
Hot Take:
This incident highlights the need for stricter guidelines and protections for authors in the age of generative AI. Amazon’s initial refusal to remove the fraudulent books shows a lack of accountability. While the removal of the books is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to prevent these instances from happening in the future. Authors, especially those without a large platform, should be able to easily resolve issues like this. It is crucial for the industry to prioritize author consent and fair compensation when using their work.
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