[sdiy] IP, copyright etc

[Rainer Buchty]

>=-  The author has to put the book in a format readable - this
>means PDF. This entails either working with a word proccessor and
>massaging the work to convince the word processor to create a
>good PDF file.
>- or - Paying About $1000 for a copy of Adobe Acrobat.

These days any decent word processor should be able to create PDF files 
as the format is *open*. Yes, Adobe is so kind to put that information 
online.

Personally, I'm a LaTeX addict, so I write all my stuff in LaTeX and 
therefore can instantly generate PDFs from that, either using pdftex or 
standard latex/dvipdf or dvips/ps2pdf.

For those who hate "programming" their texts, there is stuff like lyx 
which offer a nice wordprocessor interface to LaTeX. 

Or just go for OpenOffice.

There is no need to spend $1000.

>=-  The aurthor has to convince a service like Amazon to sell
>it. - or - Create a publishing company so that he can take
>Paypal. For me to sell in Florida, Paypal wants my Tax ID.

No need to create a company for that, or find a sales service. Put up a 
web site, and spread the word on mailing lists and web forums. If your 
product is considered good, word of mouth will do the rest.

Paypal never wanted my Tax ID and also didn't care whether I'm doing 
commerce or just having private fun, but that's maybe cause I registered 
from Germany. However, they forced me to upgrade to the "we make you 
bleed" status to accept card payments and not just cash.

>=- Figure out a way to lock the book, if he delivers it
>directly. - and - I've found far more information on the web on
>how to defeat the locks, then how to lock a PDF doc. without
>Adobe.

Locking the book is stupid. Personally, I hardly read documents 
on-screen -- I print them out, cause I want to scribble on it, make 
notes etc.

A friendly, unremoveable watermark will keep the inclined copyist from 
spreading his printouts: if you do include schematics or other pictures, 
render a visible but not annoying mark into it. Add owner/licensee 
information into the page headers, etc.

>Total cost: $2,000 to $3,000.

Not at all.

Rainer