Copyright Infringement Steps

Copyright Infringement Steps

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Please note: do not open or run any EBooks you download from these sites, as they may contain a virus.

While it is not uncommon to stumble across what appears to be a digital version of your book online, more often than not it is not a cause for concern. Often times malicious sites will use the promise of free EBooks to bait a user into downloading a virus or a program against their will, as such it is important to determine if the EBook being hosted is legitimate. When coming across one of these sites ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is the file listed as a “Torrent”?

-When a user downloads a torrent file, they pull bits and pieces of the file from many different sources until they are able to compile the entire song / game / ebook for use; as such tracking and/or completely shutting down a torrent is practically impossible. Fortunately many sites that claim to have a torrent of your book are actually fake and do not contain your book at all.  It should be clear when browsing the suspect site that the download being advertised is a torrent, you should see the word torrent on the site or on the name of the file itself. Once you confirm that the file being hosted is not a torrent, move on to the next steps.

2. When I attempt to download the file, can I only do so through a paid download service, by completing a survey, or by registering for another site?

- If so, the file is most likely fake, this simply is a ploy to get you to pay money or subscribe to a service. Please note: Only attempt to download this file, if you are able to actually download, note the size of the file (see below) and leave the site.

3. Is the EBook being hosted smaller than 500kb (kilobytes)?

-In general, an PDF version of an EBook ranges from 500kb to 150mbs (150,000kbs), if the file is significantly smaller than this it is likely a malicious program and should not be downloaded. As mentioned above PLEASE do not download anything you find on these sites, you should be able to determine the size of the file without actually downloading it.

If you have confirmed 1) it is not a torrent 2) you are able to download the file without paying for a service or completing a survey, and 3) the file is larger than 500kb, please contact Alex Rixey at Alex.Rixey@FWMedia.com who will then file a DMCA takedown notice and have this file taken down.

FW Media Author's FAQ

FAQ—Contracts & Royalties Group

Q: Who do I contact if I have a question about my royalty statement or my contract?

If you’re having trouble reading your statement, you may first want to refer to the Royalty Statement Reference Sheet. If the reference sheet does not answer your question, or if you have questions about a clause in your contract, contact one of the team members listed below:

F+W Media (Writer’s Digest, North Light, Popular Woodworking, HOW, Betterway)-- Alex.Rixey@fwmedia.com, (513) 531-2690 ext. 11251

Martha Pullen and Interweave--Sharmayne.Townley@fwmedia.com, (513) 531-2690 ext. 11586

Krause--Bonnie.tetzlaff@fwmedia.com, (715) 445-4612, ext. 13421

Adams Media, Tyrus, Crimson Romance--Chris.duffy@fwmedia.com, (508) 427-6733

Q. If I’m due an advance, when can I expect to receive it?

The first half of your royalty advance is processed after we receive your signed agreement, and should mail approximately 30 days later. If more than 35 days have passed and your check has not arrived, contact the appropriate representative listed above.

The 2^nd half of the advance is usually submitted by your editor once your final materials have been received, reviewed and approved. Once they submit the payment request, the check should mail in 30 days. If you have questions about delivery of the second payment, please contact your editor.

Q: When should I expect my royalty statement/payment to arrive?

The mailing schedule for Adams Media is March 31^st and September 30^th. The schedule for most of our other authors is February 28^th and August 31^st. If you have questions about these dates, please refer to your author contract or contact the appropriate representative as listed above.

Q: Who do I contact if I want to order copies of my book?

Call 1-800-289-0963 and identify yourself as an author to place an order or check the status of an existing order. Standard shipping is free for prepaid orders shipped within the US, but for non US orders, a shipping fee may apply. Likewise, additional fees may apply if you require expedited shipping or have special shipping/handling instructions.

Q: My book has been released but I haven’t yet received my gratis copies

Please send an email to fw_cin_gratis@fwmedia.com stating your full name, mailing address, book title, and the number of copies you are expecting to receive. Please note that your gratis copies are placed on backorder, using the address you provided on your contract, approximately 1 month before publication date, and back orders are released as soon as the inventory arrives at our warehouse. You should receive your books no later than 2 weeks after publication date for domestic orders, however non US addresses will require additional time. If your address changes, please notify us immediately to ensure books are shipped to the correct location.

Q: I’ve moved. Who do I need to notify?

For mailing address and name changes, we will need you to complete and submit either a W9 (US citizens) or a W8 (non US citizens). Please send completed forms to Shar or Alex.

We will occasionally contact you via email if we have urgent news to relay, so don’t forget to notify us about any email address changes as well. Email address changes can simply be made by notifying Alex or Shar via email.

It’s important to keep in mind that author address information resides in several different systems within F+W, including the royalty system, the ordering system, and our accounts payable system. If you simply send an address change to your editor, it is not likely to get passed along to all those who need to make the update. As such, it’s very important that you submit the address change to our department. We will then take steps to make sure the other departments are notified.

Q: What do I do if I suspect someone is infringing my copyright?

This has become a rather complicated issue, so we’ve drafted some guidelines to help you. Please refer to the Copyright Infringement Steps .  

Q. Will I be sent a 1099 form?

1099s mail each year by January 31^st and any questions or concerns should be directed to ap.inquiry@fwmedia.com.

We are sometimes asked by authors how taxes should be filed for these earnings. Questions of this nature are better left to a tax professional.

If you experience any problems, or need additional assistance, please feel free to contact Suzanne Lucas, Manager, Contracts & Royalties Group at Suzanne.Lucas@fwmedia.com, or by phone at (513) 531-2690 ext. 11251.