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For public domain content first search results are usually non-profit online libraries like Wikibooks and Project Gutenberg. In Russia where illegal book shari

For public domain content first search results are usually non-profit online libraries like Wikibooks and Project Gutenberg. In Russia where illegal book sharing is widespread most popular piracy libraries now are non-profits like Flibusta and Library Genesis.

graeme 11y ago
How does that help the original author monetize their work? I don't care whether the first result is non-profit or not. I care whether it's me. If I can't monetize works, I won't make them, I'll do something else. Are their Russian authors making money with working business models under their system of non-enforced copyright?
- anonymfus 11y ago
  I incorrectly thought that your problem was that somebody else could monetize your work. Copyright is enforced here, sites are banned and people go to jail for installing unlicensed software. Piracy is widespread because of many cultural, historical and economical reasons. There are 3 main business models Russian authors use: crowdfunding (there are few platforms specialised on books), appealing to audience without internet access, and receiving support from the government.
- throwawaymaroon 11y ago
  It's bizarre how you think people would stop making art if they didn't get paid for it. It's the kind of warped perspective that comes from being happy with the scraps you get, I guess.
- scotty79 11y ago
  Selling copies is insane way to monetize something. When I want to make money programming I'm looking for a person that needs a program and write it for him often requesting at least portion of money up front. Writing programs in hopes of selling them in the future is like trying to strike gold. Even if you are not horribly wrong and someone will buy copy of your stuff and not immediately request a refund it will most likely be insanely cheap (from your point of view) and expensive for the people who can get that copy for free because it is almost as easy (often easier) than paying for it.

graeme 11y ago

How does that help the original author monetize their work? I don't care whether the first result is non-profit or not. I care whether it's me. If I can't monetize works, I won't make them, I'll do something else. Are their Russian authors making money with working business models under their system of non-enforced copyright?

anonymfus 11y ago
I incorrectly thought that your problem was that somebody else could monetize your work. Copyright is enforced here, sites are banned and people go to jail for installing unlicensed software. Piracy is widespread because of many cultural, historical and economical reasons. There are 3 main business models Russian authors use: crowdfunding (there are few platforms specialised on books), appealing to audience without internet access, and receiving support from the government.
throwawaymaroon 11y ago
It's bizarre how you think people would stop making art if they didn't get paid for it. It's the kind of warped perspective that comes from being happy with the scraps you get, I guess.
scotty79 11y ago
Selling copies is insane way to monetize something. When I want to make money programming I'm looking for a person that needs a program and write it for him often requesting at least portion of money up front. Writing programs in hopes of selling them in the future is like trying to strike gold. Even if you are not horribly wrong and someone will buy copy of your stuff and not immediately request a refund it will most likely be insanely cheap (from your point of view) and expensive for the people who can get that copy for free because it is almost as easy (often easier) than paying for it.