Klarinet Archive - Posting 000059.txt from 2009/04

From: Oliver Seely <oseely@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Orchestra parts Errata - "The reprint rumor letter"
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:05:44 -0400

I would add to Dan's posting that the "Stravinsky Strategy" is used
routinely in the college textbook industry of the U.S. A publisher
and author get royalties on first purchase only. When the student
sells the textbook back to the bookstore and the book is resold, no
royalties go to the publisher or author. I believe that this is
called the "first sale doctrine." The effect of the doctrine is that
publishers track their profit and after a couple of years the author
is told that it is time for a "new edition." The author, not
surprisingly, says, "But very little has changed." The publisher
then says, "Would you like to have a philosophical discussion about
epistemology and pedagogy, Professor X, or shall we discuss the sale
of your textbook?" So the author cranks out a new edition, changing
words here and there, rearranging paragraphs, very likely writing
another chapter and/or cutting out some stuff. Copies of the old
edition disappear from the bookstore shelves and the new edition goes
on sale. There is always the traditional cocktail party with the
author offering signed copies. This unholy alliance between authors,
professors, bookstores and publishers routinely forces students to
pay well over a hundred dollars per new textbook.

Oliver

At 03:35 PM 4/6/2009, you wrote:

>As for changing notes in an edition to preserve the copyright, I belief that
>this was done by Stravisnky. He would change this or that note for bassoon,
>and another here and there for a trombone, and he would do it in perhaps
>half an hour's time. Then he claimed that he had made a new and improved
>edition. Go ahead an copy the old one, he would say, the new one is the one
>that will sell. That man was no fool. He knew full well how to work the
>copyright laws to his benefit.
>
>Dan Leeson

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