Can I copy my own content to an eBook?

1. 88

   SimeyCposted 13 years ago

   I'm experimenting with writing a small eBook - can I use my published hubs and copy some of the content from them into an ebook? I realize my Hubs won't get penalized, but is it a good idea?

   replyreport
   1. 70

      tritrainposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes you can, but as suggested, rewrite them a bit.
      
      It may be better for the ebook reader and it could be much better for you, as you try to not trigger any duplicate content filters.
      
      Yes, Google does crawl ebooks, unless they are encrypted/password-protected from viewing.

      replyreport
2. 0

   ryankettposted 13 years ago

   Yes you can, although there is the possibility that a buyer will upload to docstoc or somewhere, and if they do you will end up having to file DMCAs.
   
   But it is well within the TOS to publish your hubs as an eBook. Re-writing each of the articles may be a better option, I have seen eBooks with Amazon reviews that say:
   
   "just a load of stuff off of the net" and then the writer protesting his innocence claiming that it is his content. That is little consolation to somebody who has just paid $9.97 for it.

   replyreport
3. 0

   ryankettposted 13 years ago

   By the way, what do you think about the Excerptz changes Simey? Any feedback on that? Too strict or just completely necessary?

   replyreport
4. 70

   cindyvineposted 13 years ago

   I don't see why not, you own the content.

   replyreport
5. 71

   Eve Fossposted 13 years ago

   What are DMCAs?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      A DMCA is a formal notice that you serve on somebody when they steal your content and post it on their own site or own accounts.

      replyreport
6. 68

   lrohnerposted 13 years ago

   Hang on, I'm confused. I thought HP's new policy was no dupe content. Yes, we own the copyright and can do with our hubs whatever we want, but HP retains the right to decline to publish or unpublish the hub.
   
   This topic was discussed in another thread, with pretty much the same advice give to the OP as was given to Simey here. But isn't that just an end run around the no duplicate rule? Are we saying we don't want dupe content on HP, or are we saying just publish it here first and then have at it?

   replyreport
   1. 68

      bgamallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ebooks are ok because they are by subscription, not public.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      lrohner, if he publishes to an eBook then it won't be published online. My warning to him, and my subsequent suggestion that he should rewrite the content, was just in case a buyer decides to upload the eBook to DocStoc or a similar document based system.
      
      If somebody did do that (which would be theft) it would be indexed, and as such would trip the copied hub filter. He is fully within his rights to publish his content in book format, it is publishing on blogs or Hubpages alternatives which should (and will) create an issue.
      
      Therefore I believe that my advice was accurate, although ultimately I was telling him to rewrite it anyway

      replyreport
      1. 0

         ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Further to which, I can confirm that he is rewriting it all, as per email discussions

         replyreport
   3. 67

      NateSeanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      As I understand it, the policy is this: You can't copy something that is all ready posted on another site and publish it at HP. This includes posts or blogs you have all ready written.
      
      However, the Hub rules also clearly state that you will not be penalized if you originally published the hub here at HP and someone copies and pastes it elsewhere.
      
      It's nice little loophole if you're getting skittish.

      replyreport
      1. 52

         peacefulcarolposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I submitted a very personal hub and HP said it was a duplicate.  I had just posted my first hub a few days before and did not want to get into any trouble with anyone.  I was pretty shook up, so much that nothing made sense.  Someone on the answers page figured it out.  I had answered a question on Yahoo Q & A and then wrote it up into a story to post including the young man's question and my answer verbatim.  That was the duplicate.  I tried rewriting but it still came out duplicate so I deleted it.

         replyreport
         1. 83

            psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            NB: The person's question is not necessarily yours to use anywhere other than where he chose to post it.

            replyreport
7. 79

   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   There is one issue to look at - ebook preview feature which will trigger dupe content alarm. This is the reason bloggers like darren rowse, brian clark don't allow preview feature for ebooks.

   replyreport
   1. 68

      bgamallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nice tip. I think a snippet of one's work, even if it on a hub will not be a problem as Maddie has said that a large portion copied becomes a problem. An introduction is not a problem, most likely

      replyreport
   2. 0

      ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Good point too.

      replyreport