A number of Chinese writers have been accusing Apple for quite some time for condoning, or at least not effectively dealing with, ebook piracy. Three lawsuits were filed against Apple over these allegations and now, a number of more Chinese authors have joined the group. The total amount of the damages demanded by all the lawsuits combined is about $3.5 million.

The three lawsuits that have been filed against Apple involve at least 59 books which, the writers demand, are being pirated through Apple’s online app store. The writers also include notable figures from China, such as Han Han, who is an avid blogger, bestselling author and a well-known race car driver.

Although Apple has removed certain apps or books from its online store when they tried selling pirated content, the claimants are of the opinion that this is just not enough. According to them, even after removal, these apps or books re-appear and that Apple is not hard enough against the developers who indulge in ebook piracy. ‘”It is encouragement in disguise, because they did not punish the developers. The developers could have been kicked out. But nothing happened to them’ the lawyer for the group was of the opinion.

A representative of the group claims that since Apple has direct financial stakes in the gross earnings of the apps or books sold through its online store, 30 percent to be precise, it is reluctant in acting against them definitively. However, Apple has responded to this by saying that it deals with any complains involving copyrights infringement ‘promptly and appropriately.’ The company didn’t comment directly on the case.

Image courtesy Rob Boudon.

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