This question raises the issue of internet theft - eBooks being offered by unknown people on unknown websites as FREE PDF DOWNLOADS

In the last decade plus, since near death and inevitable retirement from my profession as a psychotherapist, I have written books.

One is a past life novel 'Beyond Mercy' (whether you believe it or not, it's an interesting read), with a shortened version ' Richard Shaw's legacy. The rest are poetry books, for all ages ranging from 'Poems for 3-7 yrs.’, through to 'Twilight Years' for the oldest generation. More past life books will be written as/ when. Books, in other words, that you would think would not attract the attention of internet ‘ FREE download’ business. I published them all as paperbacks and then as eBooks for Kindle and ipad/ pc.

Recently, while browsing on the internet, I came across my eBook 'Beyond Mercy' for download as a FREE PDF.

I have since done further research on the internet and find that ALL my eBooks are being offered for free PDF download!

How has that happened? How is it done and why would anyone bother to do that with my eBooks – and, as yet unknown, author? It’s weird.

I thought I would try to download a couple of these PRNs just to see what happened. They take me to another site - one is called usenet.nl - where I must register first before download. I haven't done so! All, the 'download free pages, however, look similar.

I have read the DMCA of several of these sites and most say they don't hold any content, and decline responsibility for the ISP/ server that they use to download from. They also issue a warning of severe court action etc.  SHOULD ANYONE COMPLAIN OF INFRINGEMENT by their website - all in capitals! So a total cop-out from responsibility!

But, how do the sites get the PDFs to download? The only site I have put the PDFs on ( ejunkie.com(  try to prevent copying and sharing downloads. Most reviews assess this site as safe, hence I joined it – and no downloads of the books have been bought or requested  since I registered my eBooks with them.

However, my eBooks were put on Amazon Kindle. One day, several years ago, I noticed that ALL my books were bought on Amazon Kindle site in the space of about 24 hrs in one country, and then ALL were refunded the day after purchase - something that very rarely happens to my books! I note that Kindle books can easily be converted to PDFs using converter software. I notified Amazon who thought it was very unusual and would take action to investigate. I heard no more.

However, only one download would be enough to make copies - if this was the route chosen. I'm only stating true facts - but, if the free downloads are available, then they have to have been obtained from somewhere. The PDFs are nowhere else except on my own protected computer and there have been no illicit happenings or viral attacks etc.

There seems to be an increasing number of people wanting a free ride in the world today and the internet presents itself, as a fairly 'invisible', complicated for most, method of transaction where culprits can easily hide.

I read that there is apparently a lot of theft of eBook sales online - it seems that in every field the bad apples are appearing. However, as in the garden, 'bad apples' have little value, eventually fall off the tree and become compost without any outside intervention – so, in their 'badness ' can unwittingly help the underlying soil! But, it takes equipment, knowledge and intelligence to be a thief on- line - but how sad that the know-how and intelligence is used in this way when there is a great need for intelligence and innovation to  be used to help millions.

I shall therefore regard the infringements i.e. FREE PDF DOWNLOADS as free advertisement. I am old and am not ruled by the prospect of profit. I write for people to read and learn from my experience as a retired Consultant Psychiatrist and I am now 'working' via the written word.

However, having said that, writing takes a lot of time and effort, and, I object to thieving of any kind.

So, could I tell any who read this article that my eBooks, present and future, can be bought, cheaply, via my website. One, about my books, is only 0.25p, with a lot of content. This site is also the route to buy my paperbacks - whether directly (original prints of my first books, with optional autograph) or via Amazon published by Createspace.

So, to get my authentic paperbacks and eBooks please buy from –

http://www.mybooksaudreycoatesworth.com

Please note that any offered elsewhere as FREE DOWNLOADS are offered illegally and without my permission and I have no idea whether the content has been changed during any conversion or not. There are plenty poems and articles of mine to read on http://www.authorsden.com

However, I do strongly believe that people will ‘reap what they sow’ eventually, so maybe those who create such FREE DOWNLOAD sites without the authors consent or knowledge will not obtain their expected result!