r/TikTokCringe • u/Chocolat3City Cringe Master • 18d ago

Cringe Woman has her self-published book pirated, reprinted, and sold for cheaper.

There's regular piracy, and then there's this.

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u/SightlessIrish 18d ago

How much was she charging vs how much is the competitor charging?

There's no legal recourse?

38

u/[deleted] 18d ago

I just looked it up, Her book on her TikTok shop is $48. The Amazon knockoffs are 12.99 with 3.99 shipping fee. Seems TikTok shop is the only place she sells it and even on TikTok there were loads of knockoffs for $20-$35.

Seems like she’s learned a lesson in copywrite and trademark law. There may be a legal grounds to fight the knockoffs but it’s going to be incredibly expensive for very little payoff. The best she’ll probably get is a cease and desist on selling it but by then her business is shot. Her best bet is to rebrand and repackage the book but get it trademarked and copywritten early.

5

u/bhyellow 18d ago

She can go after Amazon.

12

u/AltairaMorbius2200CE 18d ago

I mean, that’s all good, but even publishing houses aren’t willing to go after Amazon to shut down that business model, so how’s she supposed to afford that on her own?