Smashwords vs. PayPal, again

[scribblesinink]

I just got the Smashwords Alert for this week. It addresses their clash with PayPal. This, however, sounds rather different from their earlier releases as discussed here on DW.

2. PayPal Censorship
________________________________________

PayPal, the online payment service we use to process credit card payments, has asked Smashwords to remove fiction that contains themes of bestiality, rape and incest. They tell us they are compelled to do this to remain compliant with the rules of the banks and credit card companies. Regardless on one’s opinions about these objectionable topics, we view this attempted censorship as a bad precedent. Fiction is fantasy. It’s not real.

PayPal’s request has caused a firestorm of debate on the Internet about censorship, and what this means for the future of ebook publishing. Most people are horrified at the thought of any censorship, while others believe such content should be restricted. It’s a contentious debate.

This story, out today by TechDirt, does a good job of summarizing the timeline of events and the issues involved: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120301/17363217939/paypal-pressured-to-play-morality-cop-forces-smashwords-to-censor-authors.shtml

The case has even spawned a brilliant and hilarious $.99 parody ebook titled, TWO PEOPLE HAVING SEX https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/139100

There’s a petition at Change.org if you wish to sign it: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-censorship-2

A few independent privacy-rights and anti-censorship organizations have stepped in to challenge PayPal on their policies, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC). More are likely to sign on. Here are some quick links:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/02/legal-censorship-paypal-makes-habit-deciding-what-users-can-read
ABFFE/NCAC: http://www.ncac.org/NCAC-ABFFE-Send-Letter-To-PayPal-eBay

Our view at Smashwords: We believe it’s wrong for credit card companies, banks and other financial institutions to censor legal fiction. We believe this censorship is targeting a small subset of erotica fiction. The same censored themes are prevalent in much mainstream fiction. We believe it would be unfair to authors and readers alike for any organization to censor what writers are allowed to imagine and what readers are allowed to read. If the PayPal restrictions were taken to the extreme, many mainstream classics including Nabokov’s Lolita or Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with The Wind could technically be banned. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with its depiction of rape could be banned. Even the Bible could fall under the net since it contains scenes of rape and incest. Although such extreme censorship is unlikely, what about moderate censorship? Therein lies the danger of censorship. Where does it stop, and where do we draw the line? It’s difficult for Smashwords or any other retailer, distributor or publisher to assume the role of moral arbiter when there’s so much grey area. We’re engaged in ongoing discussions with our counterparts at PayPal to reach an equitable solution.

If you’re interested to learn more, or learn what you can do to help fight censorship, you can read my most recent email to Smashwords authors on this topic here: https://www.smashwords.com/press/release/30

Comments

[stormcloude]

Wow, that does seem to be quite a different stance from his first press releases. And I'm glad to see the EFF is getting involved.

[elf]

I know nothing can *make* PayPal release info, but I'd love to see enough pressure brought that they had to either point at the banks they claim are demanding this, or admit that no, no bank or credit-card processor has said, "graphic rape is fine in a murder mystery, but not in a romance story."

Nice to see Coker fighting for author's rights. Would love to see an apology for the previous statement implying that anyone writing or reading the new forbidden topics is just a pervert and Smashwords has no interest in supporting such vile tastes.

[snottygrrl]

you know when i got the above in my email yesterday, i thought, hm, someone knows he stepped in it and is trying to get back in folks good graces.

i haven't been around much but wanted to thank you for your earlier thoughts on the subject.

[terraplan]

Thank you for this post, looks like Smashwords is coming to its senses.

[jumpuphigh]

I wonder what happened to make Coker change his tune so dramatically.

[princess]

I'll believe Smashwords is coming to its senses when it addresses things like this:

http://zoewhitten.com/2012/03/03/bye-smashwords/

(Note, in the linked entry, she mentions that it was her "mainstream fic" that was pulled down, while her erotic title was left standing.)

[jumpuphigh]

Ouch!