Xenite.Org News

Fraudulent sales of Parma Endorion discovered on eBay

September 09, 2002 at 20:40:57

We have learned that someone has been selling unauthorized copies of Parma Endorion: Essays on Middle-earth, 3rd Edition, on eBay. It's available for free!

Anyone who would like a copy need only download the eBook from http://www.free-ebooks.net/fan_fiction.html. The only requirement is that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, and it's also available as a free download.

It is our understanding that several auctions, perhaps many, have already been concluded through eBay. We regret that anyone has been duped into purchasing copies of the eBook. If PayPal and eBay will allow you to file fraud claims and request refunds, you should do so.

Since PARMA ENDORION was published in January, 2002, more than 80,000 downloads have been recorded by free-ebooks.net. We have also learned that the eBook has been available on the Kazaa network. Although peer-to-peer distribution has not been authorized for the eBook, as long as the file is not altered and no money is exchanged, we have not raised any objections. Fighting illegal distribution on Kazaa and similar networks is, admittedly, beyond our means anyway.

These auctions are unfair to the people buying the books as well as to the author, Michael Martinez, the artists (Rich Sullivan and Anke Eismann), and the editor (Matt Tinaglia). The eBook was always intended to be distributed for free. No one should be profiting from its distribution, and certainly not without compensating the copyright owners.

If you should participate in discussion groups where people suggest bidding on Parma Endorion, please advise them of how to get the authorized free eBook.