Someone can't violate copyright just by reading and reviewing a book, at least from what I know.
After the book's release, no.
But anyone who gets an unreleased book/movie he's not supposed to have or got it legally but isn't allowed to publish an advanced review by the publisher yet posts publicly about the book's content in any way can be causing prejudice to the copyright's owner, its marketing campaign etc. Publishing bogus reviews is also causing prejudice. The publisher would be in its right to send C & D and worst - either you got the book illegally, break an agreement not to reveal something about it, or you invent things about the book and spread them among Tor's customers.
It would be different if Tor had printed ARCs or sent copies for review, but they have not, meaning what's around are illegal copies or - far more likely - invented ones. They used to send ARCs for previous WOT books - they used a more classic marketing strategy then, but for TGS they have not. They/Harriet don't want advanced reviews other than the ones they authorize down the line.
Legalities aside, it's extremely disrespectful to Harriet and Brandon and all people involved with the book to go against their expressed wishes. It's their book, their choices - to a fan it shouldn't even matter that this is illegal, that it's against the wishes of the creators and their publisher should be more than enough not to touch that.
Crafting faked reviews is worse in a way (and there's been several at Wotmania in the wake of Jason's real and by then only authorized review - from well-known posters of many years here who should know better - and that have been deleted by the admins. If it were my site, those idiots would have been banned). With those you create false expectations that could ruin the experience of fellow fans naive enough to trust you. A WOT fan should be ashamed to do this to other fans who've waited for 5 years for this book - people are all extremely eager for info about the new book and it exploits their weakness. And be sure details, even so called 'non spoilers' (faked or not) are gonna spread from here to other WOT sites not allowing reviews - giving a very bad name to RAFO in the WOT community.
Fan sites have been blacklisted by movie companies/book publishers for doing stuff like this (it's happened to several SW sites in the days). They can even be sued and closed down.
I really didn't. I assumed if someone had a copy there was a reason, like they were supposed to share their opinion.
Knowing this, I would like to change my vote. If we are specifically not supposed to then it shouldn't be an option. I hadn't considered some of these repercussions.
Do you guys want pre-release reviews on this board?
- 20/09/2009 08:40:03 AM
1958 Views
No, if people want to review the book, they can do it on their own blogs. *NM*
- 20/09/2009 09:27:18 AM
632 Views
Yes. Visitors who don't want them should simply avoid reading them. *NM*
- 20/09/2009 02:42:15 PM
699 Views
If it's going to be in a separate section, and it's spoiler free, why is "NO" even an option?
- 20/09/2009 05:04:11 PM
1172 Views
Absolutley! ^ If they don't want to read that section then it shouldn't be a problem. *NM*
- 21/09/2009 04:24:37 AM
645 Views
Re: Do you guys want pre-release reviews on this board?
- 20/09/2009 05:33:49 PM
1060 Views
Yes-- reviews are an essential part of any fanpage-- People have the option not to read them though *NM*
- 20/09/2009 06:53:42 PM
626 Views
Why is No even an option? there supposedly wont be spoilers duh *NM*
- 20/09/2009 11:40:37 PM
605 Views
Yes. If a review is clearly marked as such, please who don't want to read it don't have to. *NM*
- 21/09/2009 12:59:54 PM
1075 Views
If they are quarantined in an announced post, I don't see and problem for me, so yes I guess
- 21/09/2009 01:09:41 PM
1166 Views
No
- 21/09/2009 06:15:19 PM
1153 Views
I think you missread the rules...
- 21/09/2009 08:24:22 PM
1589 Views
so you want to give the admins all kinds of extra work?
- 22/09/2009 02:16:56 AM
1123 Views
I'm strongly against it
- 22/09/2009 05:06:13 AM
1311 Views
I hadn't thought about all that, you should have made some kind of pros and cons list
- 22/09/2009 08:53:39 AM
1231 Views
- 22/09/2009 08:53:39 AM
1231 Views
Re: I'm strongly against it
- 22/09/2009 11:45:26 AM
1127 Views
So are you going to be the one to enforce this?
- 22/09/2009 12:03:16 PM
1053 Views
Re: So are you going to be the one to enforce this?
- 22/09/2009 12:16:57 PM
1246 Views
Re: I'm strongly against it
- 22/09/2009 02:39:55 PM
1281 Views
I had no idea about these legalities.
- 22/09/2009 05:44:18 PM
1094 Views
Re: I had no idea about these legalities.
- 22/09/2009 06:25:20 PM
1008 Views
You're going to ban/forbid spoiler filled reviews? Weak.
- 22/09/2009 08:26:15 AM
1060 Views
Ever hear of Napster?
- 22/09/2009 12:11:02 PM
986 Views
But that only applies to piracy of the actual book itself.
- 23/09/2009 12:36:35 AM
1191 Views
Re: But that only applies to piracy of the actual book itself.
- 23/09/2009 07:33:11 PM
1338 Views

*NM*