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robert collier letter book in public domain?

by murraygray
15 replies
is "robert collier letter book" now in public domain?

just stumbled across it on the amazon kindle store.

been hoping for this for a long time.
#book #collier #domain #letter #public #robert
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    According to the description at amazon.com for the hard cover, it's still protected. Here's what the description says:

    THIS IS AN AUTHENTIC WORK DISTRIBUTED BY THE FAMILY OF ROBERT COLLIER. BE SURE THE NEW TRADEMARK RC LOGO WITH "AUTHENTIC ROBERT COLLIER WORK" APPEARS ON THE COVER. The Robert Collier Letter Book is under copyright with Robert Collier Publications, the family of Robert Collier, the author.
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    • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
      I think the heirs are bluffing with their copyright statement.

      The Robert Collier Letter Book was originally published in 1931 and for it to still be under copyright, Mr. Collier (or his heirs) needed to renew the claim in the 28th year after publication (1959.)

      I don't find any record of that in the US copyright renewal records. (Copyright renewal records)

      There IS a 1978 renewal covering only the new material included in the 6th edition, originally published in 1950.

      If the copyright on the original edition HAD BEEN renewed in 1959, the material in that 1931 edition would enter the public domain in 2026.

      If this is something you want to republish, spend a few hundred to get a copyright attorney to confirm this information, just for your piece of mind, but it looks pretty certain that the 1931 edition is fair game.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

        I think the heirs are bluffing with their copyright statement.

        The Robert Collier Letter Book was originally published in 1931 and for it to still be under copyright, Mr. Collier (or his heirs) needed to renew the claim in the 28th year after publication (1959.)

        I don't find any record of that in the US copyright renewal records. (Copyright renewal records)

        There IS a 1978 renewal covering only the new material included in the 6th edition, originally published in 1950.

        If the copyright on the original edition HAD BEEN renewed in 1959, the material in that 1931 edition would enter the public domain in 2026.

        If this is something you want to republish, spend a few hundred to get a copyright attorney to confirm this information, just for your piece of mind, but it looks pretty certain that the 1931 edition is fair game.
        I'm not inclined to impugn the motives of people I don't know.

        Alex
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        • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
          Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

          I'm not inclined to impugn the motives of people I don't know.

          Alex
          Is it the word "bluffing" that you object to?

          OK, I retract it.

          How's this?

          The copyright statement of the heirs of Robert Collier regarding The Robert Collier Letter Book is not factual according to the records of the United States Copyright Office EXCEPT as it pertains to previously unpublished material added to the sixth edition, published in 1950, and to previously unpublished material added to any subsequent editions.

          Better?

          Honestly, If I had known a 99 cent decision was riding on this, I would have been more explicit in the first place.
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  • Profile picture of the author murraygray
    hope pusateri is correct on this.

    but either way i just grabbed the kindle book at 99c LOL ))))
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    Robert Collier also released a booklet called Million Dollar Sales Letters where he commented on 15 different sales letters. Some claim it is now public domain but I have no idea.You can see it here:

    Robert Collier Million Dollar Sales Letters... - SOWPub Small Business Forums
    Signature
    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Joe Ditzel View Post

      Wasn't this ^ Gordon Alexander's website? Although if memory recalls correctly, he is no longer running this now. Do correct me if I'm wrong.

      Smoking hot,


      Mark Andrews
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    • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
      Originally Posted by Joe Ditzel View Post

      Robert Collier also released a booklet called Million Dollar Sales Letters where he commented on 15 different sales letters. Some claim it is now public domain but I have no idea.You can see it here:

      Robert Collier Million Dollar Sales Letters... - SOWPub Small Business Forums
      I got these a couple of years ago and copied of all them out by hand... several times... each.

      Made a huge difference to my writing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
    I got mine from Carl Galletti.

    Robert Collier Letter Book

    One of the best books in my library.


    Bill


    .
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    I'll just put this here:

    The book is currently in print in a nicely bound edition with
    stitched signatures in both hardcover and softcover at a
    reasonable price.

    The book is printed and published by Robert Collier's
    descendants who also run a non-profit called the
    Robert Collier Institute. I doubt they make a lot of
    money at it, but they honor their grandfather and
    great uncle with it. You can learn more about it
    at Robert Collier Publications.

    When I bought the book, I think I sent a check to
    them in the mail and got the book in the mail
    with a note from his grand-niece.
    Signature
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