It’s worth noting that paying retailers and publishers books is actually a very inefficient way to compensate authors. They typically only see a small fraction

It’s worth noting that paying retailers and publishers books is actually a very inefficient way to compensate authors. They typically only see a small fraction of this revenue. The piracy debate often simplifies the issue as one of pirates vs authors. But pirates vs publishing and retailing businesses is closer to the truth, when you look at where the money goes.