You propose an interesting question, Webbie. Of course I don't know the answer. But talking with another writer today brought to mind how weak copyright protection really is. Some -- quite a few, actually -- years ago I published a book through iUniverse. For a variety of reasons I didn't like the way they did business, so I took the book away from them and ordered them to cease any use of the book.

Hah! They are still peddling the book in bizarre markets like China. Considering people ignored it in droves here where English is pretty much a first language, I have to wonder what is the point of breaking the copyright to peddle it in China?

Of course I don't have enough $$$ to sue them, and I suspect they have enough lawyers on hand to stifle any suit I would bring.

So, rather than protecting authors beyond all logical considerations -- like the Disney-Mouse item with Mickey under copyright for the life of the planet Earth if not longer -- the laws we have do not even discourage such willful scroungers as iUniverse.

Sigh.

      -- Jean
PS -- Has anyone else had such annoying legal problems with publishers?

It seems that if it makes money it's a big deal, if not, do whatever you want.
The music industry comes to mind as a good example of that.
Oddly enough I have seen some talk on the net that the US Dept of Justice has more than a few ex-music industry lawyers working for them now.

Funny how coincidences work isn't it?