Libel tourism update
posted at 11:05 am on August 6, 2007 by Bryan
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MM rounds up the latest on Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld’s precedent-setting fight against libel tourist Khalid bin Mafouz, including links to Mark Steyn’s take and Stanley Kurtz’s latest.
On Amazon, you can now buy a review of Alms for Jihad, but not Alms for Jihad itself. In fact, probably due to searches for the book or some other search algorithm weirdness, the review is now the second find if you search “alms for jihad” (Dr. Ehrenfeld’s Funding Evil is now first); the actual book has slipped several places down. When I did the search last week, the book was the first item found.
Over the weekend, I’ve heard from more readers who have tried to buy or find Alms for Jihad, with one success at a library and a (so far) successful effort to buy it directly from the Cambridge Press. The latter probably just slipped through and will get flagged before it ships, but the library success raises an interesting question that I thought I’d put to any copyright lawyers in the audience: In agreeing to pulp the book, does Cambridge continue to own its copyright? Where does copyright go in a situation like this — does it stay with the publisher, revert back to the authors, or what? I suppose it depends on the language of the agreement that the authors signed with the publisher.
One thing is for sure: Khalid bin Mafouz’s attempt to suppress Alms for Jihad has turned it into one of the most sought-after books around.
Update: Hm.
Update: Hm again. I downloaded the demo and it works fine.
(cartoon by RedPlanetCartoons)
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I know I tried to find it this weekend with no success. My father-in-law deals with used books, I’ll see if he’s got it.
4shoes on August 6, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I was able to place an order at Tower.com last week. Now that book is unavailable at their site. I’ll give them a call when they open up and see if they will be able to ship it.
tlynch001 on August 6, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Robert Spencer and Alyssa A. Lappen have columns on this at frontpagemag.com
Jordan Yentsch on August 6, 2007 at 11:30 AM
If all else fails, perhaps they can leak the manuscript online.
Spirit of 1776 on August 6, 2007 at 11:34 AM
One thing I remember from school is that if a book goes out of print, you are allowed to photocopy the entire book from the library. I am not certain about that – but that was the rule laid down by the print shop at college when a textbook was found to be out of print. We printed a number of copies from the text in the library.
nailinmyeye on August 6, 2007 at 11:35 AM
how about explaining wtf you’re talking about? what is alms? don’t make me think for myself damnit.. that’s why I come here… I just want you people to do it for me…
Kaptain Amerika on August 6, 2007 at 11:43 AM
This shows it to be out-of-print in July 2007 =(
jediwebdude on August 6, 2007 at 11:50 AM
They have a couple of copies actually in Boston. One is out for 21 day loan and the other is in-library use only.
kiakjones on August 6, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Here is a for you Kaptain.
kiakjones on August 6, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Last week, Alibris.com had a copy for $41.00, but disappeared (they said sold) while I was right there. They had another copy listed for over $90.00…ah, capitalisim. Now they show nothing available.
nyrofan on August 6, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Oops forgot to write summary*. Sorry about that.
kiakjones on August 6, 2007 at 11:54 AM
I find lots of out of print books on campusi.com…I can’t recall a single book I couldn’t find…the really rare ones can be bought from overseas sellers, and cost a small fortune, but it’s worth a try.
JustTruth101 on August 6, 2007 at 11:57 AM
The thing is, you can’t copyright facts. The author could take the same set of facts he used in Alms for Jihad and write an entirely new book.
nobaloney on August 6, 2007 at 12:10 PM
…never thought I’d be intertested in what a lawyer has to say….but I’ll make an exception for this case.
A nice ‘nutshell’ graphic here.
(plus bryan quoted!)
locomotivebreath1901 on August 6, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Steyn is exactly right that this is the kind of crap that will have us lose the war and be overtaken by Islamonazis.
Warner Todd Huston on August 6, 2007 at 12:49 PM
I’m now fourth in line for this book at my public library. The other three holds occurred since last Friday. I asked the librarian if there is any chance that they would return this book to Cambridge. I was told no, but the librarian also showed me three hundred other libraries which have this book on hand. Thus, the database is there for Cambridge to determine all libraries which retain this book.
I’m left with the question if it makes sense to keep the book if I get it. I mean if the library really will end up returning it Cambridge, wouldn’t if it be better if I “lost” it. On the other hand, the place I’d really like for this book to be is in the library. Is anyone willing to give me a substantive answer to my dilemma? I haven’t the slightest interest in a simple-minded application of a single moral rule here and won’t even dignify such rubbish with a a reply. Nuance does matter here.
thuja on August 6, 2007 at 1:03 PM
That Red Planet cartoon site is a great find. That guy’s really good!
see-dubya on August 6, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Since publishers are in it for profit just like everyone else, perhaps we should remind them of how much money they stand to make from publishing these books.
Numenorean on August 6, 2007 at 1:37 PM
If I were you, after I got a hold of the book, I’d e-mail the director of the city/county library (assuming it’s a public library) and inform him of the situation: the book will not be returned until he can assure that it will not be destroyed.
Force him (or her) into making a choice between actually running a library for the benefit of the public or aqcting as a censor for the benefit of Saudi billionaires.
You might also inform your local city/county elected officials of the librarian’s response.
billy on August 6, 2007 at 1:48 PM
Just checked the Wake County Library system here in Raleigh, NC. No sign of it. FUNDING EVIL, yes. ALMS, no.
tickleddragon on August 6, 2007 at 1:53 PM
I’ve just got off the phone with the reference dept. of the Sacramento Public library. They have almost 25 library’s in the greater Sacramento area. I was told that there were “no copies” of Alms for Jihad in any of their locations.
I had her search under Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld…again nothing.
Dhimmitude in the heart of a free California?
Where’s the Govinator when you need him?
Sgt. Khe Sahn
1GooDDaDDy on August 6, 2007 at 2:06 PM
tower.com canceled my order. The book became unavailable after I ordered it.
tlynch001 on August 6, 2007 at 2:07 PM
Isn’t it time for “Alms For Jihad” to go into samizdat distribution? Somebody needs to scan a copy, put it in a pdf file, and set it free on the Internet. Then we can all take turns mailing copies to the Saudi bookburner Khalid bin Mafouz in his evil Wahhabi nest.
Tantor on August 6, 2007 at 2:22 PM
Wow — can’t find it anywhere. (Searched eCampus, half.com, buy.com, booksamillion, etc.) The closest I came was on eBay where thecrosseyed.cricket sold it to TimothyJones2157 on 8/3/07 for $135. I checked on the “out of print” question, and found:
Like Bryan said, it probably depends on the nature of the agreement with the author, but we can hope that these guys will have the option of marketing it on-line if the rights revert to them…
lan astaslem on August 6, 2007 at 3:04 PM
Just looked for the book on Half.com. They said they had one copy available for $22.50. When I clicked to purchase it, it said “The item you attempted to place in your cart is no longer available.”
I don’t know if that means it was already purchased or if it means they aren’t willing to sell it.
JadeNYU on August 6, 2007 at 3:21 PM
You can find a .pdf version at ebookimpressions.com.
Miss_Anthrope on August 6, 2007 at 3:47 PM
Cost to buy: $21.34
Miss_Anthrope on August 6, 2007 at 3:48 PM
I did it!
I think I found the one of the last copies in the Boston area!
I just got off the phone with the store and they are shipping it out to me by the end of the week.
When I told one sales person about the book being recalled and pulped because of a lawsuit she was very surprised, did some looking around on her computer and pointed me in the direction of the store that had one copy on the shelf :)
What a nice sales lady.
Laura02420 on August 6, 2007 at 3:48 PM
While Muslims stifle OUR free speech, they have no problems
paying for BILLBOARDS in Tulsa to promote illegal immigration (from Outraged Patriots):
PS: Michelle, where is your “HOME” button on your site??
fred5678 on August 6, 2007 at 3:53 PM
PS: Michelle, where is your “HOME” button on your site??
Just click on her name – the big banner @ top w/ the pen graphic and that will take you back to ‘home’
Spirit of 1776 on August 6, 2007 at 4:21 PM
I called Borders on School Street in Boston. The lady said someone had asked for the book today! Must have been you!
kiakjones on August 6, 2007 at 5:12 PM
yep, I couldn’t get into Boston this afternoon and after some slight pleading she agreed to ship it out to my home. Strange they couldn’t ship to another one of their stores closer to me.
Laura02420 on August 6, 2007 at 5:30 PM
I found a copy at the Nashua, NH Borders Sunday. It was the only one on the shelf though.
Not any more. The link took me to the home page and when I typed in the title it came back “no results found.”
I hope someone does put a free pdf version on the internet. And everybody who objects to this censorship should put a link to it on their websites.
NoSquids on August 6, 2007 at 6:26 PM
A WorldCat search shows that there is a college or university that has a copy near just about everyone but me. Over 20 copies reside in Texas school libraries — unless you live in the buckle of the Bible Belt, strangely enough.
Mephistefales on August 6, 2007 at 6:28 PM
It’s like a Cabbage Patch Doll!
I just want the part about Mahfouz put up on Hot Air.
see-dubya on August 6, 2007 at 6:36 PM
Here’s another place, which has an Adobe Reader version of Alms for Jihad… Maybe I ought to grab a copy…
– Kat
http://www.CatHouseChat.com
Kat on August 6, 2007 at 7:31 PM
As
says. In fact, there are 319 libraries worldwide that have a copy. You should probably be able to find one close to you that’s available through your local library’s ILL.
The fact that our Denver Public Library didn’t have a copy wasn’t surprising but I was able to reserve a copy from the library at… that’s right… the library at the University of Colorado! You know, that bastion of Ward Churchill apologists located in the nearby city we locals fondly refer to as the “People’s Republic of Boulder.’ Good grief!
Now, what one does – see thuja and billy – with the book after it’s borrowed – well, I’m sure there are some creative ideas out there.
rocksandbroncs on August 6, 2007 at 7:54 PM
What a dumbass apology they made, too!
http://www.cambridge.org/about/apology.htm
“Substantial damages?” And “UNICEF?”
Let the capitulation continue as jihad marches on.
MsUnderestimated on August 6, 2007 at 7:55 PM
I managed to pluck the last one off the shelves of our local Borders the day of the story. I am sorely tempted to scan and distribute via PDF.
pesawattahi on August 6, 2007 at 8:02 PM
Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld has signed up with Brigitte Gabriel on her site ACT. http://www.americancongressfortruth.org
just fyi.
shooter on August 6, 2007 at 8:50 PM
My library in Orange County says they have it (online), so I’ve placed a hold on it and as soon as they call me, I’ll advise,however, if they tell me they don’t have it I’ll pitch a small fit. Islamofascism and they’re beating the sh** out of us with our own damn money WE PAID FOR THE GASOLINE!!!!!!
sharinlite on August 6, 2007 at 8:57 PM
Bryan, is there a short list of the charities, companies and people that Mafouz is financially involved with, here in America?
oakpack on August 6, 2007 at 9:26 PM
Have you seen this? Cambidge’s APOLOGETIC, BOOTLICKING, ADMISSION that it paid SUBSTANTIAL damages to Sheikh Khalid…this is dhimmitude: http://www.cambridge.org/about/apology.htm
JustTruth101 on August 6, 2007 at 11:16 PM
I went to ebookimpressions.com to purchase, and it’s not there anymore. It’s a UK company.
Needless to say, I sent them a scathing email asking them to tell me how accurately-referenced evidence is worse than “Behead Those Who Insult Islam”…then demanded they remove my membership, as I didn’t want to send my money to anyone interested in becoming a Dhimmi.
We’ll see what they say…Books-a-Million responding apologizing for disappointing me as a customer when I told them how I felt.
We need to get a solely US-based printer to take this head-on and begin the reprinting effort.
Miss_Anthrope on August 7, 2007 at 1:25 PM
Thanks! Too obvious!
Now – where is the Hot Link from Hot Air back to Michelle???
fred5678 on August 7, 2007 at 2:47 PM
Laura02420, will you send me a scanned copy? I’ll pay you for it…I’m in law school and this is an area of interest for me. If you will do this, I will set up an anonymous hotmail account, you do the same, and we can communicate that way to protect our privacy. (I tried to get the ebook version as well as a copy from Japan, no luck…)
JustTruth101 on August 7, 2007 at 3:30 PM
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