You are simple minded morons with your misunderstanding of the AG position. The Authors Guild isn't upset that used books are bought sold and traded. The problem is this: If you try to buy a new book from Amazon, without a lonely thought of buying a used book, Amazon will pop up and say, "Wanna buy a used one?" That's legal, but it is not fair to the author or the consumer. It's a hair's breadth away from reselling used copies of books as "new." Don't think for a second that Amazon won't try to pull that stunt if it finds a legal way to fudge it.
Another poster raised the question about whether or not the "used" books in question are in fact used, since they turn up sometimes during the first week of publication. Many of the books in question, that early in the publication calendar could very well be stolen.
And finally, and this is the most important part. You all aren't going to like it, but there's a big difference between guys selling used books from card tables in the East Village, and Amazon putting its resources behind the marketing of used books. You all are carrying on as if the Authors Guild is picking on some poor little guy who's just trying to make a living. As if the guild is bullying poor little Jeffy Bezos. I'd wager that Jefferey Bezos is worth more on paper than the entire membership of the Authors Guild, even if you include authors like Michael Crighton. He's playing you all for suckers and bitches. Gettin' you coming and going.
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You are simple minded morons with your misunderstanding of the AG position. The Authors Guild isn't upset that used books are bought sold and traded. The problem is this: If you try to buy a new book from Amazon, without a lonely thought of buying a used book, Amazon will pop up and say, "Wanna buy a used one?" That's legal, but it is not fair to the author or the consumer. It's a hair's breadth away from reselling used copies of books as "new." Don't think for a second that Amazon won't try to pull that stunt if it finds a legal way to fudge it. Another poster raised the question about whether or not the "used" books in question are in fact used, since they turn up sometimes during the first week of publication. Many of the books in question, that early in the publication calendar could very well be stolen. And finally, and this is the most important part. You all aren't going to like it, but there's a big difference between guys selling used books from card tables in the East Village, and Amazon putting its resources behind the marketing of used books. You all are carrying on as if the Authors Guild is picking on some poor little guy who's just trying to make a living. As if the guild is bullying poor little Jeffy Bezos. I'd wager that Jefferey Bezos is worth more on paper than the entire membership of the Authors Guild, even if you include authors like Michael Crighton. He's playing you all for suckers and bitches. Gettin' you coming and going.