Hacker News Reader

Comment by adrr | Hacker News Reader

The authors really need to go after libraries, these hubs of piracy really need to be shutdown. Libraries distribute books to complete strangers with no compensation to the authors.

View on HN

Authors get compensated when I borrow books from my local library.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Lending_Right

Authors get compensated when their books are lent out through the Kindle Direct Publishing system too:

2.3 KDP Select Fund. We will establish a fund on a monthly basis and you will earn a share of that fund for each of your Digital Books included in the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library Program.

https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?ie=UTF8&topi...

LendInk wasn't about the Kindle Lending Library though: those are books that can be borrowed without ever being purchased first. These LendInk borrows were between a book buyer and a third party, fascilitated by, say, Amazon, but without additional financial compensation for authors. As an author I still think they're a good idea to allow, but then I understand technology unlike too many other authors.

If my understanding is correct, the KDP Select Fund is for the 'Kindle Owners’ Lending Library' program, where Amazon will loan one book per month to Amazon Prime members.

LendInk facilitated lends under the 'Lending for Kindle' program, allowing a one-time lend between Kindle owners.

https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A2JGI9S4...

PLR seems to be mostly a European thing.

You say that in a light hearted and amusing manner, but if real, honest-to-god libraries, lending books at no cost to anyone, didn't already exist, and someone tried to start one today, they'd never be allowed to get off the ground. Same applies to radio stations, playing music for free. Thank God they all got started decades ago, cause they wouldn't have a prayer today.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com