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Dog Ear Publishing review: Ripoff is underestamating 32

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5:40 pm EDT
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Sadly I feel good to see I am not alone here!

I work very hard to write about my life to give hope to others, to find out that my editor and Dog Ear publishing have decided to contract between each other and not to tell me about it. the package I picked did included advertisement, naturally after (thank god) a short time with help of friend I found out about the contract, that was signed with out me been included.

Well, I put stop on production, since I am the only person with the copy right, but I still see my book been sold as new after even the publisher received a letter from attorney to stop any production of any kind!

According to Dog Ear my book did not sale at all, yet I see places in the web having my book in a new condition for sale such as amazon and Barns and the numbers I got from Dog Ears do not match!

I am shock to see it and wonder what is the meaning of copyright?

How many new book must be sold to call it infringement?
Why none of us authors has ever done anything about it, or is there anything we can do to stop them at all?
Personally I can not pay for the attorney fee, however I am determined to put stop on this and living in my car to save my rent (as little as it might be) money and pay a visit to one!

Lightning Source and Ingram are in to this and they are the one I am going after.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

32 comments
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E Drew
London, GB
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May 16, 2009 6:12 am EDT

I am 70 and after paying for my book to be published in four months doing all the hard work, paying out the first price quoted by Authorhouse
I then spent to have my work line read, I then re placed all the pics, then get told I must pay them yet more for work on getting my book ready, for printing and again for work to undo the mess they have made of my book that was ready in the first place.
So some 7 months later I still have not got my book and all they have managed to do is put a fin white line around my covers wording.
Full marks Authorhouse I to can press a format button at 70, so unpress it and come up with my book.

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Angee27
Brampton, CA
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Dec 31, 2009 11:33 pm EST

Keep searching for law suits against Authorhouse, I was published in 2005, had loads of troubles and expenses, every reprint, they'd change something else, re format or test size, and I have been reading other publishers have had major word changes done to theirs... now I see my book advertised on 6 different bookstores, in India and Japan..., different languages... I never said ok to that. Do not trust Authorhouse to put their best effort out for you.

I am gathering with other authors that have law suites pending against them, we must join forces, as like people gather, and power in numbers,

plainandsimples@live.ca

Angee

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no1blondemama
Kansas City, US
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Feb 17, 2010 1:35 pm EST

I got an email from them that had my friends name in the email title as if she had referred this to me. She knew nothing about it. So Im hoping they don't do anything weird with my debt card info! Apparently it took a phishing scam to send me their emails... yikes!

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no1blondemama
Kansas City, US
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Feb 17, 2010 1:37 pm EST

Also; sent them one of my poems before I realized this was not a good idea... looks like that one is not going to be mine anymore from what you all have said!

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G barton
Harlow, GB
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Mar 06, 2010 2:11 pm EST

Can someone tell me how we can know exactly how may copies of my books maybe sold through authorhouse? I am not sure if I am being cheated on. The info on sales is just not transparent enough andalthough they have promised me that they are honest, am notureif thy can be trusted. It is ashame that the ituation is like this. Is there like the freedom of information act that can beused or anything to know thetue figurs of sales?

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JustJoe2325
Topeka, US
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Mar 08, 2010 1:24 pm EST

AuthorHouse does a good job at what they do. Yeah it sucks that you had to pay extra fees EDrew, but maybe you should have read the fine print.

AuthorHouse is self-publishing, not a traditional publisher. You are responisible for your work. If you want the extra services they offer then you have to pay for it. Otherwise, figure out what to do on your own.

You pay them a flat rate to print and sell your book. If you wanted them to edit, design, read and comment on your book, then you either pay them, or go to a traditional publisher, but good luck with that. Most traditional publishers don't publish poorly written books.

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Adeomus69
San Jose, US
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Mar 08, 2010 11:16 pm EST

A Poor written book will not go well with any publisher either traditional publisher nor vanity publisher!
That by itself shows how low AuthorHouse is, that they are willing to do any job to gain some money!

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JustJoe2325
Topeka, US
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Mar 11, 2010 1:35 pm EST

Adeomus69, do you even know how self-publishing works? Self-Publishing companies cannot legally alter or change a manuscript of an author without written consent. AuthorHouse, which is a self-publisher, is not going to edit manuscripts for free. Would you want to do it for free?

Maybe you should get a dictionary and read the definition of the word "self" and realize that it is the author's responsibility, not AuthorHouse, to fix the manuscript. If you want AuthorHouse to make the changes, then pay the fees.

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Adeomus6969
San Jose, US
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Mar 11, 2010 2:29 pm EST

I would be very careful; insulting one would show only your poor attitude. This is the place for people to complain, not to defend their employers. There must be a truth to all the complaints about AuthorHouse, all you need is to google it. Maybe you are the one in need to use the dictionary to find out what is the meaning of complain.I know exactly how they work and what law they break, I also know they are not giving out exact number for sold copy.It is not just Authour house, Lolo, Iunivers, Xlibris, and much more . They all have few packages to choose from, all advertisings and PR are absolutely on the author it self, no matter even if it was paid for.
Sorry love to chad, but since you are not the one I will face in court, and this is over your head to begin with have all the fun. I am going to make a valuable lesson out of your employer to all other selfpublishing Inc. By law.

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lynn thomas
rome, US
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Apr 09, 2010 8:28 am EDT

Just an FYI, Adeomus, but your initial complaint has horrific typos throughout, as do all your subsequent e-mail messages. This is not mean to insult, but you must be careful with how you type because it effects how seriously you are taken to the reader. Good luck to you and thanks for the heads-up about scam self-publishing companies.

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Magsusulat
Me, US
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Apr 15, 2010 7:24 am EDT

Are this accusation really true? I signed a contract at authorhouse last month to publish my children's book. I'm a published author in the Philippines. I published hundreds of books down there but since I migrated here in USA publishers considered me as a new author.
I would feel so frustrated if authorhouse is really a scam because every penny that I paid to them is very valuable to me. It's difficult to earn money nowadays I want to make sure that my money won't be wasted. I worked every day lifting heavy loads to make a living. It is so painful to know that I'm dealing with the wrong people. Can any one give me their contact number to prove that their complains are genuine and not fabricated?
Thank you so much!
Concerned author

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Dwain Powers williams
Fort Lauderdale, US
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May 25, 2010 10:03 pm EDT

My name is Dwain Powers williams. My book is called a possible ailment vs. a defiance of the judicial system. My book ISBN: [protected] and [protected], Author House appear to have lost control of the publishing industry. Under the office of the Indiana Attorney General office file number10-CP-52197. Allison Wolfe letters written to me on May 18, 2010 feels that our problems with each other may be a breach of contract or breach of warranty. You may abtain your own letter by contacting the Attorney General office. My book is currently being sold under Shelley Powers name also. Author house stated in writing that they are not affiliated or know a Shelley Powers. everyone whom have a computor could see these facts to be undisputable even by the pubisher. If any item in the public is sold or distributed under fales pretence then it is fraud and it is deception. Why does Shelley Powers good name has to be dragged through the mud for someone else benefit. She appears to be too popular to get involve in this type of scam. In additial, the public have to be protected from a scam of saying she wrote my book. If the same book is being sold under two authors' name with the same ISBN, then that is out right fraudand deception. It should show evidence that Author House is not in control of its industry. under some web sites and book stores, Shelley Powers name is over my book, and it has Author House as the publisher and that is an undisputable fact. look it up for your self.

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A.M.K/
CY
Send a message
Jun 19, 2010 4:23 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I feel a little anxious after reading the amount of complaints against Authorhouse, I printed/published with them in September 2009 and find the accusations of book sales theft alarming, although I personally feel disappointed with the results in sales of my own book I must confess that I am satisfied with the printing side of the agreement, I got involved and even used the image from one of my own paintings for the front cover and although there is always room for improvement the over all books image is a positive one, my humble suggestion to those who wish to sell copies of their publications to friends and/or colleagues is buy copies at a reduced price direct from the person dealing with your books print and progress and sell them on personally. Any way thanks for your attention and all the best, Anna-Maria Karaolis author of 'Their Own Skeletons'.

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Just_Because
Cecilia, US
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Aug 19, 2010 9:07 pm EDT

Whether or not your complaints are true, I would just like to complain about your complaint. You spend all your time writing about your life (I sure hope it's one heck of a life to be worth publishing; face the truth, you need to have the life of James Bond or Anne Frank to really be able to sell it) and yet you can not proofread your own comment? 'my book did not sale at all', 'I am determined to put stop on this', 'I still see my book been sold as new'. I'm not even going to highlight the grammar errors. Please, if you wish to be taken seriously (especially if you claim to be a writer), write like your a viable source for information.

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Dwain Powers williams
Fort Lauderdale, US
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Aug 24, 2010 9:01 pm EDT

A comment to the person who spoke about grammar errors or proof reading. No one is born perfect. that is the wonderful process of life. we all have a chance to be imperfect and to learn. You are under the illusion that you were born perfect. The human mind has so much more potential than what you are willing to use. You have shown your ignorance to the world by your petty comments on grammor or proof reading.

To your un evolve sense of your purpose toward humanity, we all are born unique. none of us were born to see all of our mistakes in life. We need people like you to point them out. The person whom you criticized may know how to completely take apart a car engine or conduct his own operation on his own head by removing a knot on youtube under Dwain Williams. I did not go to medical school and I use tools came from a hardware store. I may not know how to spell, know how to use grammor, or know how to proof read, but I am intelligent enough to recognize the genie of being imperfect and making an attempt at trying. Some people never make an attempt at trying.

You should be a shame for improperly using your intelligence. No one should be criticised for making an attempt at using our human spirit at succeeding. The person who is begging for a hand out should be criticised by you. when you realize how to use your mind properly, they you will have realized that it is impossible to know everything!

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Mick Lestrade
Santa Barbara, US
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Sep 01, 2010 10:43 pm EDT

AuthorHouse is so inefficient that after two and a half month, I still haven't gotten any answer to any of my simple questions. The only thing they are really good at, is getting your money.

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Mick Lestrade
Santa Barbara, US
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Sep 01, 2010 10:45 pm EDT

AuthorHouse is so inefficient that after two and a half month, I still haven't gotten any answer to any of my simple questions.
The only thing they are really good at, is getting you money.

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dave2010
New York, US
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Oct 26, 2010 7:29 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I HAVE NOT PUBLISHED ANY BOOKS YET BUT I HAVE 3 MANUSCRIPTS THAT ARE EDITED, FULLY ILLUSTRATED AND COMPLETE. I HAVE BEEN DOING LOTS OF HOMEWORK REGARDING LITERARY AGENTS, PUBLISHERS, POD, ETC. I'M DISCOVERNG THAT IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME IN AT SUBMITTING YOUR WORK THEN A LITERARY AGENT IS PARAMOUNT! DO NOT PAY ANYONE ANY MONEY FOR ANYTHNG! NOTHING! IF YOUR MATERIAL IS GOOD ENOUGH THEN IT WILL SELL ITSELF AND PUBLISHERS WILL SEE ITS WORTH AND BE WILLING TO PAY YOU FOR IT. GO TO REBECCA BRADEWYNE'S WEBSITE SHE IS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER'S LIST AND SHE WARNS WRITERS OF THE OUTRAGEOUS DISGRACEFUL THINGS THAT ARE BENG DONE TO AUTHORS TODAY. IT WOULD BEHOOVE YOU TO TAKE HEAD TO WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN HERE SO THAT YOU TOO WILL NOT BE TAKEN FOR A RIDE. A WISE WRITER ONCE SAID "KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS BUT KEEP YOUR FEET PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE GROUND" REGARDING THIS WHOLE PUBLISHING FIASCO. BE CAREFULL MY FRIENDS .. DO RESEARCH, RESEARCH, [redacted].COM, BBB, AND MORE RESEARCH BUT WHATEVER YOU DO SAFEGAURD YOUR WALLETS!
DARRELL A. WILLIS SR.
dwillissr@gmail.com

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raison1234
Bartlesville, US
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Nov 04, 2010 2:24 am EDT

I work in the book and magazine market for 20 years. My work was never lifted by anyone. If you want a life in publishing start small get some writing credits with your local newspaper. Write about what you know. With fiction the Universities have small publications you can get published in. You do it for credits.
The agents will do a catch 22 on you. If you have no credits they aren't interested. If you have one book under your belt they will come to you.
I have contributor credits in 28 books, over 1, 000 magazine articles and have two screenplays I am working on. If you have a book file a copywrite on it other wise you will have to pay a lawyer. If you have a lawyer ask about there no pay if theres a copywrite on it.

All books are printed in the same place. To print your own book it will run you about $3.50 for 500 copies. If you need a editor, if you cant sell your book on your own, then a place like dogear is a good place. I strongly advise filing copywrite protection in Washington DC.

May the force be with you.

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Daniel Asamota
Little Rock, US
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Feb 07, 2011 8:44 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am Daniel Asamota and I have several complaints already on this board. I'm getting ready to start my own board because the people we're complaining about, AuthorHouse/Dog Ear/ Xlibris, have put their people on this board to try and scuttle sentiments and divide our resolve. They know they are stealing our royalties and ripping us off and they're so good at this they know we'll be years in court trying to prove it. Well the only way we can get anything done is through solidarity and filing a class action against these rotten companies! AuthorHouse alone owes me probably a couple of million dollars and that's just for my first book! That's how they're able to buy up other companies so handily when to many complaints get filed against one of them COZ THEY DON'T PAY NOBODY THEIR ROYALTIES! It's time to bring the curtain down on these [censor] and the only way to do it is if we ALL join forces and file a major class action suit! They'd love to take us on individually coz' they could keep us wrapped up in court forever with no resolution in sight. So lets get wise to their game and hopefully we have some amongst us who have government influence coz' they seriously need to be investigated and thrown in jail for THEFT!

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Bruce_Leiter
Hudsonville, US
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Mar 09, 2011 7:43 pm EST

Dog Ear has an "A" rating at BBB with only seven complaints, all resolved, over the past 36 months. Either they are doing a good job, or not enough of you are complaining to the BBB!

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dave2010
New York, US
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Mar 10, 2011 6:27 am EST
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I would agree regarding the class suit additionally, all those who have been taken by these companies should also file formal complaints with the attorney generals office in your particular state. I also agree that it is theft... I believe the legal jargon is Theft By Deception among others. Keep you minds folks as well as the contents of your wallets.

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super4me2000
Petaluma, US
Send a message
May 04, 2011 1:45 am EDT

I had an idea for a book. I found a illustrator and made it happen. This happened in 2005 and I had some problems when sombody fell off a ladder on top of me taking me out of work. Project halted. Just picking up where I left off I went to Amazon.com and found a book
eerily similar in Title and content to my book. I did copywrite my book in 2005 when I finished to avoid a problem. I found the publisher Dog ear probably looked up the title in the copywrite database and changed the words around just a little and the story around just a little. I don't know what to do. The book that is now selling has used and new books for sale.That means it was a good idea and it is
selling.What do I do? I can't afford an attorney. Is anybody going to get a class action going. If so please post the attorney's name so I can
call them. Rock and a hard place. No that was NOT the name of my book.
david

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dave2010
New York, US
Send a message
May 04, 2011 2:59 am EDT
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Contact the attorney general's office in your state. You can email your complaint on-line. All of which can be google and is easily accessible.
Good luck and more over be patient as Rome was not built in a day.

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vested
Carmel Valley, US
Send a message
May 12, 2011 3:28 am EDT

Most comments are full of errors. A writer must re-read, edit, AND have others proof read the material.
The excuse of "not being perfect" doesn't fly. Do your homework and correct and learn before submitting.
There must be at least one self-publishing company that is reliable, produces on time, and is responsible
about fulfilling promises! Which one is it?

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dave2010
New York, US
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May 12, 2011 4:11 am EDT
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PublishAmerica has been good for my project thus far believe it or not!

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NMRC
US
Send a message
Jun 15, 2011 12:38 am EDT

I just got off the phone with a publicist that said I had made a poor choice in self-publishing with AuthorHouse. She suggested that I try to break the contract, get the book professionally edited and submit it for sale as an ebook at a low price. She also advised me to move on to the next book and find a small publishing house, or, even better, get an agent for the next novel.

After reading all your stories, I must say, I am so very disappointed at myself for not reading more into the AuthorHouse reviews. Does anyone know how to break the publishing/printing contract with this horrible company?

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NMRC
US
Send a message
Jun 15, 2011 1:05 am EDT

Does anyone know how to break the contract with AuthorHouse?

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BMHJ
FR
Send a message
Aug 18, 2011 1:39 pm EDT

WOW! I have been in contact with Author House as late as yesterday about submitting my manuscript. Thanks for the warnings. Rodney

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TheWriter
New York, US
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Aug 25, 2011 2:03 pm EDT

After a very careful and lengthy research, I decided to publish my first children's book with AuthorHouse. At first, I thought they were so professional and so efficient. Then, when the publishing started, I realized that some of the important issues that I stressed on several times in my numerous conversations with them, were completely disregarded. I was devastated as the whole harmony of the book was destroyed due to these mistakes. Of course, they wanted more money to fix the problem. I chose not to pay. It has been 3 months now and my book is published but I am still waiting to receive my free copies and the rest of the items that I payed for. Throughout the entire process I have dealt with numerous representatives and each tells me a different story, putting the blame on someone else. I am glad I went through this experience as I have learned a great deal. I will never go for a self-publishing company again. Believe in yourselves, if your material is good there is a good chance, that someday, it will get published the traditional way. Good luck to all!

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dave2010
New York, US
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Aug 25, 2011 9:37 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The traditional way of publishing seems to be the best and most respectable, efficient way of getting your work placed before the masses. However, we s humans tend to want instant gratification which leads us to make hasty decisions. The predators in the publishing world feed of of that very weakness we tend to have and create money pools for themselves. I have gone with PublishAmerica for my first book. From the beginning they were very professional, concerned and remained in very close contact throughout the publishing phases. At no time did they ask me for any for money, in fact, they offered me an advance. The book has been published but I have not received any royalty monies as of yet. I will keep you updated with my progress. One other good publishing firm I heard of is Black Hawk Publishing so you all may want to check into it. I did send them a query letter but did not get a response of any kind as of yet and it's been 4 weeks so far. Get your copy of "St. Moses, Handicapped Hunter" today at www.barnesandnobles.com or www.amazon.com and everywhere else fine books are sold. Enjoy!

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Michael Kostroff
US
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Mar 27, 2019 7:18 pm EDT

Attention all victims of Dog Ear Publishing. I'm trying to get us all in touch so we can pursue our overdue royalties together. If you're interested, email me, Michael Kostroff, at TheRealKostroff@gmail.com. I'm consulting with several attorneys and have some very effective resources.

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