[The giveaway is now closed, but the poll will remain open for a while.]
I forgot to post this week’s giveaway. Because I suck. Now it’s Thursday, and the week’s almost over, so I’m going to do something a little different.
I’m calling this the “Will You Do Me A Favor?” Giveaway. What’s the favor? Take this 5-question poll about pirated content. The poll is completely anonymous. You don’t have to leave a name or email address. No one will know how you answered–not even me. I’m just really curious about the answers.
As a thank you for doing me this favor, after you take the poll, leave a comment here telling me that you took the poll (you don’t have to say how you answered any of the questions) and you’ll be entered to win a book of your choice from my prize book list. Since the poll is anonymous, I can’t tell whether you legitimately filled it out, so this contest will work on the honor system. And yes, I do see the irony in an honor-system giveaway entered by answering a poll about internet piracy. What can I say? I have a renewed sense of faith in humanity, today. 
The winner will be announced next Monday, and that’ll be the end of the contest, but the poll will probably stay up for a while, so I can get as many answers as possible.
Also, last week’s randomly chosen winner is… Ryan, who wrote, “I’d like to meet Cinda Williams Chima, as well as you, RV. If either ever come to the Baltimore, MD area, it’d be awesome!”
Ryan, please email admin1ATrachelvincentDOTcom with your shipping information and your choice of prize from the prize list, and we’ll put your book in the mail!
Doris
took the poll.
Kaci M
Took the poll
thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Keeley Smith
I’ve completed the poll but I’ve done it out of the goodness of my own heart as this topic really annoys me. I already have all your books so no need to enter me, let someone else win
Rachel Vincent
That’s very nice of you, on both counts.
Bailey
I took the poll.
Angie
Took the poll.
Sheryl Nyary
I took the poll
Amanda
I have answered the questions and they will make people think.
Kasi Hurley
I have answered the 5 questions. =)
Gaby
Yay! I took the poll
Kiri
Hi
I took the poll. You can tell mine by the extended rambling answers.
Ps All books I have of yours are physical copies bought from bookstores because nothing beats the feeling of a book in your hands.
Tammy Beck
I answered the 5 question poll on piracy. Please enter me in the giveway. Thanks!
amy mccool
Will You Do Me A Favor? Answer these 5 questions about pirated content.
Your response has been recorded.
done
Lea Krnjeta
I took the poll
It would be interesting to see the results .
FranJessca Papillion
Took the poll for you.
I’m a freelance photographer and I’ve had photos stolen from me before. I work hard for what I do and I do not appreciate someone stealing my photos without my permission.
-FranJessca
Rachel Vincent
I completely understand. My BFF is a photographer, and I worry on her behalf almost as much as I worry on my own. And I think that awareness of image piracy isn’t anywhere near as high as awareness of the other kinds is, unfortunately. ;(
FranJessca Papillion
I definitely agree.
Just recently a blogger got sued for posting photos from a Photographer they didn’t get permission from, was sued. It woke a lot of people up what the consequences could be for stealing images.
I can’t stand people who steal, especially when it come to books, music, movies, etc. I grew up when Napster was around and I could not stand them. People forget that Authors earn their living through their books.
Without Authors…I would not have books that got me away from reality for awhile. I’m happy to pay what ever the price is for the book.
I have my own paperback/hardcover library at home.
Melissa Mason
I took the poll.
Joe Pranaitis
I took the poll and thank you for the giveaway chance.
susan
took the poll!
Meg
I took the poll. I downloaded past TV episodes several years ago (about 3, I think) but always felt guilty. Now previous seasons come out so quickly I don’t have to do that.
I’m horrified that as an author you have to worry about this! What a world.
Rachel Vincent
I deal with it, but also, my best friend is a photographer, and I hate to think that her images could be stolen. That’s her livelihood just as much as writing is mine. Her graphic design symbol thingy has already been stolen once, and she had to deal with making the woman who stole it take hers down. ;(
kate t
I did it
I agree ,it is IRONIC :p
fe
Good survey. Was real short.
Midnight
Hi Rachel!
I took the poll although well, I’m guilty as charged!
Good luck in gathering more answers and thanks for the giveaway~ ^^
liezel
took the poll.
Ailbhe
Took The Poll
Cail F.
I took the poll. Thanks!
Nathalie
Also took the poll
I also have most of your books already, so no need to enter me either
Giedre
I took the pool
Laura R
Took the poll. Good questions!
Nicoletta
Hey I took you’re poll, i am interested to see what the results are.
Rachel Vincent
Since the Qs are all anonymous, I may post the results next week. So far, it looks like the most-oft pirated content (based on this poll) is images from the web.
Eric Roberts
i took the poll and never epirated before. hopefully people will stop such things.
i hope that for once, i’m chosen because i’ve never won a giveaway or a contest in my life.
Tyawna
Took it. Very intersting poll. I look forward to hearing the results.
ladytess
Done, im guilty
Rachel Vincent
Honestly, I don’t know of anyone who isn’t. Back when I started my blog, years and years ago, I had NO IDEA you couldn’t just take any image you found online and use it. I stopped that a long time ago, but I still feel guilty. ;(
Julie @ Bookaroo-Ju
Done. Looking forward to the results.
Kathy Fusto
I have taken the poll!!
Nic
Done
Cindy Barton
Took the poll, as far as I know, I have never pirated anything knowingly.
Kerry
Took the poll – thanks for the giveaway!
Heather Emery
I took the Poll. I would love to read your books:)
Nicole McCormick
Took the poll. Thanks for the giveaway!
Erin W
Took the poll.
April
Did as you wished.
Tracey
Done
Heather @ Red Headed Bookworm
Finished the poll! Thanks so much!
Diayll Sales
I took the poll! Thanks for the giveaway!
Suzan Lacey
I took the poll! As far as I know I haven’t ever pirated things, I avoid sites like Torrent cause I think a lot of illegal download sites can’t be trusted and often cause computer virus’ as well.
Kirsti
I took the poll, thanks for the giveaway!
Shaft
I have filed out your survey. I also include this link because I think it is relevant to the discussion about piracy in general.
http://www.hypable.com/2012/08/29/web-series-husbands-awkward-dr-horrible-network-television-free-online/
@shaftsword
Teri Herbert
Did the survey:) thank you!
Melissa
I took the poll.
Daisy Richeson
I took the poll.
Beth
I answered the poll
Jesse Lunsford
I took the poll and I must admit that I am ignorant to the whole internet piracy issue. Of course I knew it occurred but I guess I never considered it a big issue. I kind of thought it just went away in the days of napster.
Emma Harvey
I also took the poll, and also left long rambling answers… I don’t download and never have, but have to admit to watching the odd film I’ve been given… I always feel like book and music piracy is more like theft from the artist, because they are a real person, if that makes sense, not that this justifies watching pirated film. sorry, rambling again. Interesting poll questions!
Sharon Speck
took the poll but I think the choices in answers could have been more objective. Like the last question had an answer that read “I don’t have money to buy everything I want so I just take.” – sounds very….I dunno, like a subjective answer when I could have been more objective as “I can’t afford to pay the prices they charge.” Not saying that I answered as I download illegally just saying I found the choices to be one sided.
And I don’t download, I get from the library or wait until it is in a used book store.
Kristalynn
I took the poll. Personally, stealing is stealing. Some people might try to justify it by saying it was online and available for free but it is still stealing. It’s not right.
Kai Charles
Took the poll
Nancy L.R
Took the poll!
I’m guilty
When it comes to images. I don’t claim them as my own obviously, I have no creative bone in my body. Okay, now my conscience is really acting up. Is it still bad if it has the name of the person or company that is responsible for them? I feel dumb for asking.
As for music, book, and movie pirating, I don’t do it, I accidentally downloaded a book once when I was told about this site (I honestly had no idea it was a pirating site, I was new to reading at the time) but erased it right away when I started reading it and saw that the formatting wasn’t right, and it was all weird. My conscience was killing, also I studied Criminal Justice and I know some of the consequences when you take part in such activity. Which lets me know that I should know better. If I have, It’s not intentionally.
Rachel Vincent
No, giving credit and/or a link to the image’s owner doesn’t make using an image without permission okay. But there’s a big difference between using, say, the cover of a book to promote that book and using a photo or drawing you found online, just to have something pretty on your blog. Publishers intend for their book covers to be circulated. When they post the images, they’re basically giving the public permission to use them to promote their books. But when an artist/photographer/etc… posts an image, that image doesn’t come with permission to use it for free unless that permission is explicitly stated or given on a case by case basis. Make sense? Just because you’re crediting the artist doesn’t mean you have permission to use the art. Does that make sense? I feel like I’m not saying this very clearly. ;(
Alexa
Took the poll!!
Eli R.
I took the poll! I agree this is a bigger topic than people think.
Alyssa
Took the poll!
Andrea
I took the poll!
Sarah M
I think it’s interesting that many people don’t see it as stealing. Though, I wonder how many of them understand royalties/commissions as a source of income. Ignorance isn’t an excuse. People should be aware of the consequence. If they’re unsure, figure it out. Do they realize that pirating can also be a reason to increase the cost of the books even more? Everyone loses. I took the poll & am curious to see the results…
Nikki
Took the poll, but please let someone else win, as I already have all of your books.
Nikki
took the poll! =)
Kim
I took the poll
khn21
One thing cross off my list of “what not to do” Took the poll
Nadia Hassan
Took it! Oh I seriously hope I win it would be the first time I’ve ever won anything in my life!!
Courtney D
I took the quiz.
Kendall McCubbin
I took the poll! I now feel horrible as I used to do it until I actually found out that it was illegal but I definitly don’t now!
Carissa
I took the poll. Hope it helps
Tabitha
Took the poll. Love your books.
erinf1
done! I don’t deliberately download copies of anything… but if someone offered me a copy I don’t usually turn them down
so my cheapskateness still makes me guilty.
erinf1
to clarify, I meant only close family/friends. and that’s usually a copy of a CD or movie and just a few e-books. But the e-books are always purchased from a legitimate retailer and we share amongst ourselves only. (she’s B&N, I’m Amazon)
Amy @ Book Loving Mom
I took the poll. I hope that you get a good amount of people taking it. I think the piracy issue is way out of hand and it really gets to me.
Stella (Ex Libris)
I also took the poll! Looking forward to seeing the results.
Tiffany Webb
Just took the poll.
D
JessyJ
Took the poll!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Alexis J.
Took the poll
Anubha
i took the poll…
Mel Thomas
Took the poll. Thank you for the opportunity!
Sabrina Owensby
Done:) I seen your post on this a while back. And I can understand why this makes you so upset. Can’t exactly feed yourself or pay your bills if people keep stealing from you. I, for one, enjoy your work and would love for you to be able to continue writing….
Sabrina Owensby
Oh and good luck on your new book, can’t wait to read it:)
Brandy
I used to download music the most but now I try not to do any of it. If anything I’m guilty of images
I took the poll…
Sabrena
I took the poll as well, thanks for this chance!
Maria Rodriguez
Took poll
Kristine
Took the poll!
Maria Rodriguez
Took the poll
Stacey
I took the poll
Jessie
Done. Took the poll. Looking forward to hearing about everybody’s view.
Lori B
Rachel,
I took the poll. Your post reminds of an article written by Bob Sullivan with the Nbcnews.com. He wrote a very interesting article about how he didn’t really want to support the SOPA bill but how people were making it hard for him when they kept copying his articles from nbcnews.com.
I think people also need to remember that when you are sharing stories from online places, that you can’t take a whole article, post it on your blog, and give the author credit. This is still stealing because the original author and site doesn’t get the royalties with you do this. You should always link back to the article so that the person gets compensated.
It is the same issue, if you don’t buy the content such as books, movies, and music or read it at the orignal source place such as internet only articles, the artist still doesn’t get credit for it. Without getting credit for it, their publishers, labels, employers, etc. can’t gauge the public’s interest and might end up dropping that person because of lack of sales.
Natalie Cleary
Filled out the survey
I look forward to seeing what the results are. I HATE piracy of any type myself!!
Amy (@SimpleLoveBlog)
The poll has been answered.
Jwb52z
I took the poll.
Caroline Ward
Took the poll!
Evett Ashby
Poll complete. Thanks for the chance.
Taina
I took the poll.. Not a fan of pirating but I do see the allour people have with wanting to do it.. No excuse for those losing out in profits but maybe if items were easier to handle economy wise no one would have a reason to download anything illegally
Rachel Vincent
Yet somehow, people manage to afford the devices to store the pirated content on, and the highspeed internet needed to stream/download. That’s the part that frustrates me. How can you claim poverty if you have an iPod and a computer, and high speed internet?
Sara Palmer
I was young it was napster. Not many people my age can say they haven’t done this.
Joy Kenney
I took the poll
Linda P
I took the poll.
Alaiel Kreuz
I took the poll. Actually, I liked how you show all the types of answers you can get when asking these kind of questions. But I do miss one that I’ve heard before and I really wonder what do everyone thinks about this:
Is it okay to buy the paperback or hardcover of a book and download the same book for free just to be able to read it in a device? A friend of mine does it and although I don’t agree with her it keeps me wondering…
Anywho, looking forward for the results!
Rachel Vincent
I guess that depends on how you look at it. If you buy the hardback, are you entitled to the paperback for free? It’s more convenient, and fits in most purses.
Personally, I think it’d be great if all hardcopies came with a free e-version. But they don’t, and that’s not up to the authors, unless they’re self-publishing in which chase they can sell their books to customers however they like. Those of us with mainstream publishers have no control over the format.
Lori B
I don’t think it is right. Paper/Hard back books are one medium and e-books are another. If you like the book so much that you want it in both formats, then buy both formats.
Tanya Prophet
I have taken the poll. This is a very interesting topic because of so many people these days that do this on a regular bases. Thank you for the oppurtunity to win one of you books.
JodieCJ
I’ve taken the poll. Must say I do find it very confusing, I can’t afford books often these days so go to the library to borrow books. Any books I’ve bought if I no longer need them, have no room or imperfect set I’ll sell these on or donate to said library. People lend me books etc too, I guess the issue is on a larger scale when media is shared on a larger scale this is an issue. I’ve read news articles about pop stars going bankrupt due to the costs of manufacturing, they really don’t get much apparently for their work? I”m really not qualified to talk about this really. I don’t like ebooks, prefer to have pages to scroll through…wouldn’t mind winning a kindle though. No idea if online streaming of programmes is aloud or not? Rambling now…!
Rachel Vincent
It can be confusing. The difference between borrowing from a library (which is awesome, btw!) and downloading an illegal copy is that downloading isn’t borrowing a single copy–it’s making a new copy. And there’s no limit to how many times that can be done, unlike a print book, which can only be borrowed so many times before the library has to buy a new copy. Publishers and authors aren’t paid for illegal downloads (making electronic copies) of their books. That’s why it’s illegal. Make sense?
Alicia
My sister and I both read the same stuff so when we buy paper books we share. As for ebooks we both have nooks and since we dont want to buy the same books over and over we have both nooks set up under the same account so we can read the same copy on both devices. Is this wrong since it is the same account?
Rachel Vincent
Hmmm… I honestly don’t know! My personal opinion is that there should be a “household” allowance for electronic files. So that those who live in the same house (families, mostly) can share content, even if they don’t share devices. I feel like that’s a great compromise on the issue. But I don’t know if that’s actually legal or not. It may be. I believe Apple lets you download the same content on up to…what, five devices? So that you can listen to your songs on your phone, your iPod, and your iPad. Right?
Denise Roberts
My neice read alot of the same things, so I just set her and my Nook up on the same account. Just like apple all content on one is on the other. You can also do the lend me thing for some books.
Katy
I took the poll
Carrie
Done
Laura
I took the quiz
Amber @ Amber's Supernatural & YA Reviews
I took the poll!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Shanna Roberson
Done!
Dottie Taylor
polled
Danielle
Done, however, I get your books the day they come out, no need to include me.
Melissa Robles
Hi Rachel, I took the poll!
smiling_ina
I took the poll as well.
They were some great questions, and maybe some people will think twice now about what they’re doing.
Christina T
I took the poll. More than happy to help you out, Rachel =^)
Alicia
I took the poll
Alicia
Also I have a blog and I try to not use any images found online. I review books so is it okay to put the book cover up on my blog or should I contact every publishing company or author to get permission? Also what about the book summary?
Rachel Vincent
Great questions. Technically, those images belong to the publisher (who either commissioned them or bought them from an artist), so they are under copyright. But all books, music, images, movies, etc… are under copyright in the US the moment they’re created. That said, publishers design covers specifically to draw attention to the book they’re promoting. I can’t imagine a publisher not wanting its covers to be seen as many places as possible. I think you’re perfectly safe (and encouraged!) to post book cover images. Just don’t alter them or claim that they’re yours.
As for the back cover blurb, I honestly have no idea whether or not those fall under copyright protection, but I don’t really think it matters in that case, for the same reasons listed above, regarding cover images. Publishers and authors want their book images to be seen and the blurbs to be read. We want/need the exposure. That’s what those are there for. Fear not.
Alicia
Thanks I’ve been worried about posting book stuff ever since I started hearing about the image problem. This makes me feel better!
Jessica S.
Took the poll!
Lisa Evans
I took the poll. I also have all your books so if I win, please choose another person!
Viki S.
I took the poll and let’s just say it makes me furious that peoples work is not respected.
Denise Roberts
I took the poll. I hate to think of artists of any kind (books, music, etc.) not continuing to do what they love because of people stealing their work.
Tyler-Rose
Took the poll
Hope it helps!
Stephanie W
I took the poll.
I would also be curious to see the results on your site.
Taylor @ Marked By Books
I took the poll, but I had no idea that re-posting pictures online was piracy. Would it be fine if you gave the author credit?
Courtney N.
I took the poll. I really wish all of this e-piracy would stop, but I think it’s going to be a tough thing to battle unless the government (all governments) truly works hard to get behind it and crack down.
casse
I took the poll but boy, I need you to not group 29 with 40 in the ages. It took me a few mins to pick myself off the ground and stop sobbing. LOL
Fizza M.
I took the poll. I hate when people download things online illegally. haha and love the how it’s an “honor-system giveaway”
Anyways, looking forward to your With All my Soul!! 
<3<3
Jessy W
i took the poll
Jesse Lunsford
Finished the poll, very interested in the results.
Courtney Gulbis
I took the poll.
Kaila
I took it. Great idea for a poll, by the way!
BreanaM.
I completed the poll.
Shalynn
I took the poll.
Shannon B.
Be very curious to see the results!
Jen K
Took the poll!!
Jo
Filled the pole in!
Vivien
Took the poll
Sophie
Taken the poll!
Isabel
I took the poll, it surprised me what people think is piracy.
Jennifer A
I answered the questions. Can’t wait to see the results.
Georgeana
I took the poll.
chasity martindale
Took the poll :0) thanks!
Lindsey Frydman
I took the poll.
Crystal M.
I took the poll.
Paige W-F
All done!!
Lisa R
I did it!! I honestly don’t understand what people don’t get. Its frustrating…
Katy
I took it. I don’t know much about this stuff, but I do know that it is wrong. And you don’t suck because you forgot about the giveaway
Grace Lo
Honestly, pirating irritates (understatement right there) me a lot, too. Artists, authors, and whoever work hard to get their work done and should be compensated unless they state that they’d let their stuff go for free. So even if there wasn’t a contest, I’d still take the poll.
Bre M
Hi!
Hope all is well. I took the poll! Thanks for the weekly giveaway!
Sarah Ann B
I took the poll.
Love your books!
Lacey T
I took the poll!
Haley Lively
I took the poll. I think it will be interesting to see the results of this.
May
I took the poll!
Khalia
Took the poll
Laurie
I took the poll
Brent
Took the poll.
Holly C
took it. i have never downloaded pirated books. there are so many free ones out there that are wonderful and and illegal to download!
Tammy
I took the poll. I have always have been against epiracy. I think it is so wrong. I have watched you fight for this and stand up for yourself and try to spread the word out on piracy. I am very proud to say that you are one of my favorite authors. I love how you stand up for what you believe in. I love how you fight for what is right. I love how you are not afraid to fight for what you worked So hard for. Even if sometimes it may feel like a never winner battle and you may get very frusterated you never give up. I admire that in you.
Rachel Vincent
Oh, thank you! I take a lot of criticism for being…outspoken, so that’s very nice to hear.
Kathleen SB
i took the poll. I hate the whole epiracy thing. Its one of the reasons i pretty much read in paper form rather than electronic but more and more content or ebook only content is becoming available by authors. With book in bookstores if you steal one you are shoplifting. Stealing an ebook is the same no ifs and buts. Cuz in both cases you are supposed to pay for it. In reality you pass by the checkout being a sneak in both cases. And crying poor doesnt work because you need internet or a device to get an ebook and you have to have money to get those things. If you want to read the books of authors you seem to love, do what i do, budget for the books you want. Shop around (from a genuine retailer) for a good price, ebook or paper. Sometimes its cheaper to buy the paper format than the electronic. I’ve never illegally downloaded an ebook but i have read part of an ebook i was looking for online. In my defense i thought i was just reading an excerpt, a chapter as i thought the site was genuine. I stopped as soon as i realised id ended up reading a lot more than a chapter. I believe there are some that might end up making a similar mistake to me but i i think majority of people know its wrong. But i didn’t realise saving cool or pretty pics on the internet was illegal! Ive never claimed them as mine but im in doubt as there are places where you can download free wallpapers. Does that mean that some of those sites are illegal. Also ive never downloaded illegal music or movies. I tend to get my them in dvd and cd format. That way i can never lose them if my computer crashes! I hope this poll helps would love to see the results.
Teresa
I took the poll.
Kit
I took the poll, got me thinking cause all of your books i read on my kobo but still i don’t understand how they got a hold of it in the first place….
Rachel Vincent
You don’t understand how who got hold of what?
Matching Socks (LeNore)
Took the poll.
Just yesterday I had another teacher ask me to email her a song. I purchased it from an artist, who I know, and purchasing it entitled me to use it my classroom (it’s an instructional song). It was awkward telling her, another grown woman, that I couldn’t give it to her. I sent her the link and told her she could get it legally for $1.29. It is my understanding she opted not to do that. This is a tough battle!
EmilyD
I took the poll:-)
Crystal Z
Ohh, I love surveys ^^ Completed
Maggie
Took the poll! (didn’t even know images could be pirated D:)
Meg
I have taken the poll. I would be interested in the results.
Maria
I took the poll… thanks for the giveaway
Randy Johnson
Took the survey, thanks for the giveaway chance.
Stephanie P.
I took the poll
Kristina D
Done! Mine is the same with images and being a new blogger. I now try to only use from the free use sites but find myself questioning even those sometimes
Robin K.
Took the poll Rachel. I find it very sad that people feel the need to steal content like that. If you want to read a book for free, visit your local library. There’s nothing like having a physical book in your hands. When I find a book/series I fall in love with, I buy the actual books. I want the oppurtunity to pass them down to my daughter; and my granddaughter when she is old enough to read them
Cindy S
I took the poll!
Mark
Just took the poll.
Shannon Ryan
I took the poll!
Denice Mae
Took the poll… Thank you for this chance!!!
Amanda Collins
Took the poll:)
Patti Pursley
Done
Hai-Yen Huynh
I have completed the poll. Thank you for the giveaway!
Sue S.
I took the poll!
Susan S.
I took the poll.
Shannon
I took the poll. (:
Serena
I took the poll, there were some really good questions on there and it made me realise that some stuff I thought was ok is actually illigeal.
PamM
took the poll. Should be interesting to see the results.
Jen @ Midnight Book Thief
Done taking it! Though honestly, I never knew there were copyrighted images too… I just learned about that recently. :/
Rachel Vincent
Yup. Content always belongs to the person who wrote/drew/photographed/designed it. Some people are okay with others using their content without permission. Some aren’t. We can’t assume content is intended to be free. Often the people offering it for free don’t have the *right* to offer it, because it doesn’t belong to them.
Alyssa
Took the poll.
Atmika
Done!
reading mind
took the pool!!!
Tami
Thanks, took the poll. I find it all so confusing with what images are illegal to use and which aren’t…but books, movies, music all seem pretty straight forward.
Tanisha
I have completed the poll. Hope that the answers helped.
I also believe that schools should incorporate lessons on piracy into their Language Arts and English classes. Perhaps near the lesson with which the students learn about how to cite certain things?
Alba
I took the poll and I too share my books with my sister but I definitely don’t feel that’s there’s anything wrong with the same email in both our reading devices… As for all the other piracy questions on the poll… Now I’m scared of a lot of things that I might be doing wrong but unintentionally… like book covers on blog posts,… author pictures… Argh…. I hate piracy… truly truly despise it… T_T But now I think I’m even more confused than before… not with the obvious ones but with the images… That thing is truly delicate with the piracy problem.
Anyway.
I love that you’re still doing all this about the piracy thing.
Rachel Vincent
I truly don’t think you have anything to worry about with author bio pics and book covers. Those things (as long as you don’t alter them) are intended to help promote books. That’s not the same as taking the work an artist is hoping to sell and using it without licensing the image.
Victoria Johns
I took the poll…. It made me realize that i should probably stop downloading random stuff…
Jeniffer
Took the poll! Wow, piracy sucks. :/
Sam
I took the poll and answered honestly, which for most of them meant typing my answer in the other section.
abi
I have answered it honestly..!!! so it was seriously change me up, better if I win!!! but having never won, I always enjoy only and mainly in being a participant!!
Jenn H
Done!
Just finished the poll, hope my results help you!
Helen R-S
Took the poll. I’ll be interested to see the results when you post them
Lucille
I answered the poll.
Thanks for the giveaway, RV! You get more and more awesome each time a book of yours comes out. Please don’t change!
Irene
I took the poll.
Alicia
Hi,
I completed the poll. I have a feeling you are going to get a lot of “other” responses because the issue is so complex.
I am currently in a Copyright Law class so I will be very interested to see what your results look like. While there is a lot of legal protection for original works (even for images as you mentioned a friend who is a photographer) it is much more difficult to actually enforce your rights – especially if someone is willing to go to court over the issue. Plus, I have a feeling that not everyone (especially those who are not affiliated with a larger organization) do not go through the registration process for each one of their copyrightable works and in the USA without a proper registration a work by an American author/artist/creator cannot be litigated.
Alicia B.
I’m replying to my own comment to change the name to “Alicia B.” – I didn’t realize there was another Alicia – that rarely happens
Tara
I took the poll. I love the fact that you actually answer a lot of the people who comment here. I like to go through and read all of the comments and reading an actual conversation is much more interesting. Thanks for having this give away and thanks for your interest. Most authors don’t ever respond to their fans.
Ginger
I took the poll! I think it’s horrible that some people take things that others have worked very hard on. It’s just not right!
Kristina
Poll has been taken
elaing8
Took the poll
Linda W.
I took the poll.
Jessica Etches
Took the pool
Jessica Etches
I meant poll. sorry
Osh
took the poll!
Jamieson Wolf
I took the survey. As an author, I take ePiracey very seriously. But, as someone pointed out to me recently when he found my books on a server and pirate site “at least people think your stuff is good enough to steal”. Not that this makes it right, by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a nice ego rub. LOL
Rachel Vincent
I hear that all the time, and that one doesn’t fly with me. I should be grateful that people think my work isn’t worth paying for? That sounds more like an insult. At least, it’s hard for me to see that any other way. ;(
Pavan
Took the poll, thanks for the giveaway!
Beverly Gordon
I took the poll only thing im guilty of id dl images for free when i probably shouldnt but i dont stake any claim to them
Anna Davila
I took the poll. Thank you
Stephanie Ehmann
I commented:) Sorry I’m guilty for takin photos off the web, I just would love a Great book cover wallpaper for my Facebook account
Jordan White
i took the poll.
Sass
Took the poll
Rachelle
I took the poll-better late than never!
Megan Bowie
I took the poll. Thanks for the extra day!
Nicole O
I took the poll. Thank you for the giveaway!
Janet Walden-West
Done.
Vivian M
I took the poll
Patty Quintas
Took the pool
Katie
Took the poll!