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Copyright Infringement Ulimately Hurts More Than It Helps

by | Nov 1, 2024 | ComLine, Fellowship News

ACA WSO is working diligently to protect ACA by removing copyright-infringing websites, online pdfs of our books, and counterfeit sales of ACA literature. These efforts involve considerable legal expenses and staff time but are necessary, so the copyrights are protected. According to our legal counsel, if a copyright holder does not proactively defend its intellectual property against infringements, the publication can be considered in the public domain. That means anyone could print our books and sell them and there is nothing we can do about it.

While some may share ACA materials online or sell them with good intentions of helping others, it ultimately causes more harm than help. These unauthorized actions reduce the essential revenue needed to support WSO’s mission of spreading the ACA message to thousands of people worldwide.

Many may not know that before the publication of the Big Red Book in 2006, ACA WSO faced significant financial challenges. The office was closed, and our fellowship nearly voted to fold, as 7th Tradition donations alone were not enough to sustain us, and no books were available to generate additional revenue. The first Big Red Books were distributed from storage facilities by a small team of part-time workers and volunteers until we could generate enough income to reopen the office.

Today, the revenue from ACA literature sales covers many important expenses: printing, shipping, office operations, website development, legal fees, translations, and outreach to hospitals, institutions, and incarcerated individuals. It also supports the development of new literature, provides starter kits for new meetings, and enables us to serve groups and intergroups worldwide.

Every time a free PDF of ACA literature is shared, it impacts our ability to continue this important work. The ripple effect of unauthorized sharing means fewer people purchase books, which directly reduces the resources needed to support the fellowship.

This is not about greed, but about protecting the resources that allow ACA WSO to continue its mission. There are many ways to support newcomers without resorting to sharing illegal copies. You can direct them to the free resources available on adultchildren.org, tell them where they can purchase books, or even gift them a copy. Engaging with newcomers at meetings, becoming a sponsor, or volunteering with WSO are all meaningful ways to contribute.

We kindly ask that you help us protect ACA by respecting the copyrights that keep our fellowship thriving and report any infringements to the ACA WSO office..

Bill D

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