Brought to book: when publishers go to court

A writer has just won a legal battle with Marvel and DC, but how do publishers usually fare in the courts?A writer scored a significant victory over publishers this week, when comic book giants Marvel and DC – who had tried to block Graham Jules from using “superhero” in the title of his self-help manual Business Zero to Superhero – backed down after more than two years, just before a hearing in London. Their double shame (first coming across as bullies, then failing) raises the question: how well do publishers fare when they sue or are sued – are they legal superheroes or zeroes?Regina v Penguin, AKA the Chatterley trial (1960)The crown sought the banning of DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover under the Obscene Publications Act, and equally ill-advisedly the prosecution was led by fuddy-duddy Mervyn Griffith-Jones, who notoriously urged jurors to reject the book as one they would not wish their “wife or servants to read”. They backed Penguin’s right to publish instead, in a case seen as heralding 60s permissiveness (or, as portrayed in Larkin’s “Annus Mirabilis”, the arrival of “sexual intercourse”). Publisher win Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Comic Book Publisher Sees Creators as Partners, and Stockholders

DSTLRY hopes to improve the treatment of creators in the industry by offering an opportunity to reap the benefits of their characters and content. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-04-13 16:26:24 UTC ]
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Dogger to the rescue: how my mother’s books brought joy to the children of Ukraine

After the death last year of children’s author Shirley Hughes, her son took hundreds of her books, including the award-winning Dogger, to libraries in Ukraine, where reading is helping to heal the children traumatised by warThe National Library of Ukraine for Children in Kyiv, a city at war for... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-09 07:00:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library network #shirley hughes #beloved author #real thing #russia launched #famous character #libraries


Arcadia Publishing Acquires Applewood Books

Arcadia Publishing continues to build on its presence in the local nonfiction and regional history market with the purchase of Applewood Books, the Carlisle, Mass.–based publisher with a backlist of 2,500 titles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In England: Children’s Book Publisher Peter Usborne Remembered

The founder of England's Usborne Publishing, Peter Usborne, is said to have died 'unexpectedly but peacefully,' surrounded by family. The post In England: Children’s Book Publisher Peter Usborne Remembered appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-03 17:12:06 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Events

The Geneva-based International Publishers Association is represented by speakers in a number of London Book Fair events. The post London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Events appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-31 19:43:11 UTC ]
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Book Publishing's Bilingual Boom

Bilingual families, dual-language classes, and libraries serving communities with a large number of Spanish speakers are driving demand for dual-language titles for young readers in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishing #bilingual families #large number #young readers #libraries


Children’s books publisher Peter Usborne dies at 85

Publisher pays tribute to ‘genius’ who was an ‘inspirational leader’Peter Usborne, the founder of the children’s books publisher Usborne and the co-founder of Private Eye magazine, has died aged 85, the publisher has announced.He died “unexpectedly but peacefully” surrounded by his family this... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-30 18:46:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #peter usborne #died unexpectedly #bookseller reported #bookseller #books publisher


Internet Archive violated publisher copyrights by lending ebooks, court rules

A federal judge has ruled against the Internet Archive in its high-profile case against a group of four US publishers led by Hachette Book Group. Per Reuters, Judge John G. Koeltl declared on Friday the nonprofit had infringed on the group’s copyrights by lending out digitally scanned copies of... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-03-25 16:46:29 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #early days #doors due #copyrighted works #legal challenge #maria pallante #global scale #google books #penguin random house #libraries


7 Newsletters That Will Help Get Your Book Published

For writers at every stage, the publishing industry can feel inaccessible. There are so many steps between drafting a book and seeing it out in the world. Especially for debut hopefuls, it’s more than a little intimidating: how do we know what we don’t know? Meanwhile, those who’ve already... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-03-24 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Trump to publish book of letters from Kim Jong-un, Oprah Winfrey and others

Letters to Trump will contain 150 private letters written over more than 40 years, including correspondence with North Korean leaderDonald Trump has not yet announced a deal to write a White House memoir but he will publish a second post-presidential book next month – reportedly including... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-09 12:58:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #kim jong- #oprah winfrey #including correspondence #north korea #richard nixon #memoir #publish book


Women Now Publishing More Books Than Men — And It’s Helping Sales

According to data, women are now publishing more books than men are, and it's affecting the publishing world in a big way. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-03-07 17:36:00 UTC ]
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Regnery Publishing Buys ISI Books

As part of its effort to deepen its backlist, the Washington, D.C.–based conservative publisher has acquired the ISI Books imprint from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative higher education nonprofit. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels, after criticism of cuts and rewrites intended to make the books suitable for modern readers Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-02-24 14:04:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #roald dahl #rewrites intended #books suitable #modern readers #publisher penguin


Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels, after criticism of cuts and rewrites intended to make the books suitable for modern readers Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-02-24 14:03:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #roald dahl #rewrites intended #books suitable #modern readers #publisher penguin


Roald Dahl publisher announces unaltered 16-book ‘classics collection’

Series will be released alongside controversially amended versions to leave readers ‘free to choose which version they prefer’A collection of Roald Dahl’s books with unaltered text is to be published after a row over changes made to novels including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-24 13:26:39 UTC ]
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Bookshop.org to Sell E-books, Publish First Print Title

Andy Hunter, Bookshop.org CEO, told 'PW' that the online retailer is developing an e-book platform for indie bookstores from scratch, and will launch it in beta late this year. In addition, the company is publishing its first book, a collection by Lydia Davis, who did not want her book available... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Publisher of Roald Dahl books in French has ‘no plans’ for rewrite

Gallimard says it will not be following English example and making any changes to the textsThe French publishers of Roald Dahl have ruled out any changes to the late British author’s translated books after it emerged that English editions were being rewritten for modern audiences.Gallimard said... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-21 17:50:05 UTC ]
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British publisher removes language deemed offensive from Roald Dahl children's books

Critics are accusing the British publisher of Roald Dahl's classic children's books of censorship after it removed some language from works such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda to make them more acceptable to modern readers. ... Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-02-19 19:08:29 UTC ]
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Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy will be publishing a book about his 50 favorite songs.

Beloved dad-rocker Jeff Tweedy is no stranger to publishing: he has two previous titles under his belt about his life in music, one a memoir of his time with Wilco, the other about the art of songwriting. (Perhaps my favorite bit of Tweedy literalia, though, is his appearance as a character in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-02-09 16:20:44 UTC ]
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Haymarket Book Publisher Offering Free eBooks on Black History

A Chicago-based independent publisher has responded to the recent attack on Black History by offering free books. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-02-08 16:46:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #black history #recent attack #independent publisher #ebooks #book publisher