Comments on: Who Is the Authors Guild and Why Don’t They Want You to Smell Your Electronic Books?

By: Smell of Books Fails the Sniff Test | Medialoper

Smell of Books Fails the Sniff Test | Medialoper — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:30:41 +0000

[...] In an unfortunately, but not entirely surprising, twist the Authors Guild has threatened DuroSport claiming the company is violating author’s olfactory [...]

By: zipthwung

zipthwung — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:02:29 +0000

There was a lawsuit a while back where the US Mint sent a cease and desist order to the makers of “The Smell of Money” air fresheners. What is interesting about that is they weren’t suing for the use of the “money” image (you can make play money) but rather, were worried that the makers were implying that the masking scent was actually money (an alternative form of currency with intrinsic worth – scent rather than gold). In effect, this is what I think the Authors Guild is worried about (i.e. clarity) What if people get hooked on a scent that gets branded like “Tom Clancy” or “Danielle Steele” – stories that may smell like expensive red herring, or worse, like the authors themselves.

Let us hope this gets resolved – I am no fan of air fresheners that merely mask the scent of the bakelite case of the e-reader.

By: The Smell of Books | UNC Press Blog

The Smell of Books | UNC Press Blog — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:39:12 +0000

[...] very first day of April started off badly for the company. The mails brought a somewhat threatening letter from The Author’s Guild that read, in part: ” While the Authors Guild supports efforts [...]

By: v1m

v1m — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:23:47 +0000

If they outlaw third party smells, then only every third in a party will smell!

By: Authors Guild Continues Overreaching. Claims Olfactory Rights Belong to Author | Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:48:33 +0000

[...] From the Authors Guild statement: It is important to note that in the digital era, books, and the smell of books, have been decoupled. In the future we expect authors to participate in the development of custom aromas for their books. These olfactory rights constitute a derivative right to be licensed separately. The preservation of these rights is essential as authors explore new markets and distribution channels. [...]

By: Stephen Peters

Stephen Peters — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:53:40 +0000

I can’t believe this. Those guys would steal the pencils out of our hands if they thought we’d use them to write “the,” “or,” or any of the other important writerly words that are already protected and cannot be said out loud!

Hey, where’s my pencil?

By: Authors Guild attacks Smell of Books; Dear Author responds | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:56:35 +0000

[...] calling itself “The Authors Guild” has demanded that the Smell of Books line be removed from the market. Here is an excerpt from their [...]