Can You Give Away Another Author's eBook for Free?

Understanding eBook Distribution and Copyright Laws

Now, you might have encountered the question, 'Can you give away another author's eBook for free?' The answer is complex and depends on various factors. Let's break it down and explore the nuances of eBook distribution and copyright laws.

Using the 'Give as a Gift' Feature

Amidst the digital age, sharing eBooks has become easier. However, it's crucial to understand the limitations when it comes to distributing another author's content. For instance, if you want to give an eBook as a gift to someone in a foreign country, you might face restrictions. In the absence of a direct connection to the recipient, the sharing feature may not work as intended.

Recommendation vs. Distribution

There's a fine line between recommending an eBook and giving it away for free. While you're allowed to recommend and review other authors' works, this does not extend to giving away their eBooks without permission. A constructive approach is to link to the eBook on platforms such as Amazon and encourage readers to purchase or download it themselves.

Free Books Section Plugin

To smooth out the process of recommending eBooks, you can leverage plugins like 'Free Books Section.' This tool allows you to embed book recommendations on your blog or website and potentially earn a commission on book promotions. While this doesn't give you the right to distribute the eBook freely, it’s a win-win situation for both you and the author.

Seeking Written Permission

The most stringent rule in this domain is that you must obtain written permission before giving away another author's eBook for free. Permission is oftentimes denied, but there are exceptions. These unique situations largely pertain to premium sales, where the right to distribute an eBook comes at a cost.

Premium Sales

Let's consider a scenario in which you're selling large corporate software systems. If there's an eBook about transitioning from 'Old Popular Package A' to your system, you might secure permission to give a copy of that eBook with every installation of your package. This could be beneficial if the cost is less than 1 percent of your profit or if it reduces your customer support costs by 10 percent.

Collaborative Promotions

Another, albeit less common, scenario involves collaborative promotions between authors. For example, two authors who write series with similar target audiences and have distinct readerships might agree to promote each other's work. An author might give away a copy of their first book with every purchase of the other author's latest book. This promotion can expand the reach of both series without immediately impacting their sales.

It's important to note that collaborative promotions are often the result of rare coincidences, which explains why offering an excerpt at the back of the book is more common. This practice is more prevalent among publishers who own the same rights.

Conclusion

In summary, you cannot give away another author's eBook without explicit permission, and this permission must be in writing. While it's challenging to secure permission, the potential benefits make it worth pursuing, especially in scenarios like premium sales or collaborative promotions. By understanding these nuances, you can navigate the complexities of eBook distribution while respecting copyright laws.