The Lazy Man's Way To Riches

9 replies
Hi!

I learnt that Joe Karbo's book "The Lazy Man's Way To Riches" has been updated, revised by Richard G Nixon and then self published.

I think Joe has passed away by now, but has richard g nixon actually bought rights to his mentor's publication before revising and updating it?

do i have to acquire rights to his book if i want to self publish it myself as an ebook or paperback in case of legal complications brought on by his family?

Thanks!

P.S. I know that Think and grow rich, the science of getting rich etc has been published under new revised editions, however, these works have been at least 50 years after the author has passed away for it to become public domain...
#acquiring #lazy #man #riches #rights
  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Originally Posted by DesmondTan View Post

    ... but has richard g nixon actually bought rights to his mentor's publication before revising and updating it?

    do i have to acquire rights to his book if i want to self publish it myself as an ebook or paperback in case of legal complications brought on by his family?
    Maybe you can contact Nixon and ask?

    If you get through, I imagine he'll help you out. At least answer your questions.
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    • Profile picture of the author DesmondTan
      I think that will not be possible since Nixon has also passed away...
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      • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
        Originally Posted by DesmondTan View Post

        I think that will not be possible since Nixon has also passed away...
        I see.

        The questions you ask are best directed toward an attorney.

        Don't you think so?
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          The website for the book clearly explains how Nixon acquired the rights from Karbo's estate.

          There is no reference I can find to Nixon's death - where did you find that fact? Are you sure you have the right person?

          Factual info about copyright terms:

          Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States

          You don't seem to have read the info on the book's website or to have researched public domain as it applies to this book. Shouldn't that be your first step?
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          • Profile picture of the author Steve B
            Desmond:

            The only way you can legally re-publish Karbo's book is if it is in the public domain.

            It appears that Mr. Nixon purchased the publishing rights as his is the only "updated" copy I can see currently for sale on Amazon. A book of this type would have lots of competing copies (and different covers) on Amazon if it were still in the public domain.

            Regardless of whether Mr. Nixon is dead or not, if he owns the publishing rights, and has published his copy after 2002 (it looks like that was done in 2004?) then his copyright lasts for 70 years after his death.

            If you really want to publish this book bad enough, IMO, you're going to have to secure publishing rights from Mr. Nixon (or his estate).

            I own a copy of this little book - purchased it many years ago - and the copyright for my 1st edition is 1973.

            Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    I would not go forward with this unless you have written permission that you can do this. Maybe someone in his family has the RIGHTS to this book.

    You want to be safe then sorry later.
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    I just looked at my copy of the original Lazy Man's Way..., and its copyright date is 1973. So even if Karbo's family had not sold the rights to Nixon, the book would NOT be in the public domain.

    About the time Nixon acquired the rights, I was kicking myself for not having purchased the original book back in the 70s. I wrote to the address in the original book's newspaper ads to inquire about the book.

    Whoever was living there at the time forwarded my request to Nixon, and he sent me a gratis copy of the original. His phone number was on his letter, so I called to thank him, and I bought several more copies for friends.

    In talking with Nixon, I learned he had just purchased the rights and was coming out with his updated version, and a workbook based on he new version. We talked for a while, nice guy. He had also purchased the rights to the Ginzu knives about the same time. He also sent me copies of the new versions.

    A few years ago I was saddened to hear he had died.

    This is on his website...

    "He was excited about this new journey in his life, when tragedy struck in the winter of 2006. He was out riding his motorcycle when a 12 year old boy cut out in front of him. He swerved to avoid hitting the child, causing his untimely death after fighting for his life for 5 weeks in ICU.

    He led an amazing, wonderful life, he practiced what he wrote and was loved and adored by his 3 children, 6 granddaughters, and especially by me, his wife.

    There is no better role model for being a Success at Life than Richard G. Nixon!"

    So, I guess his family now ownes the rights, and is keeping the website online.

    Richard G. Nixon: The New Lazy Man

    I am not an affiliate.

    :-Don
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    • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
      Originally Posted by Don Schenk View Post

      I just looked at my copy of the original Lazy Man's Way..., and its copyright date is 1973. So even if Karbo's family had not sold the rights to Nixon, the book would NOT be in the public domain.

      About the time Nixon acquired the rights, I was kicking myself for not having purchased the original book back in the 70s. I wrote to the address in the original book's newspaper ads to inquire about the book.

      Whoever was living there at the time forwarded my request to Nixon, and he sent me a gratis copy of the original. His phone number was on his letter, so I called to thank him, and I bought several more copies for friends.

      In talking with Nixon, I learned he had just purchased the rights and was coming out with his updated version, and a workbook based on he new version. We talked for a while, nice guy. He had also purchased the rights to the Ginzu knives about the same time. He also sent me copies of the new versions.

      A few years ago I was saddened to hear he had died.

      This is on his website...

      "He was excited about this new journey in his life, when tragedy struck in the winter of 2006. He was out riding his motorcycle when a 12 year old boy cut out in front of him. He swerved to avoid hitting the child, causing his untimely death after fighting for his life for 5 weeks in ICU.

      He led an amazing, wonderful life, he practiced what he wrote and was loved and adored by his 3 children, 6 granddaughters, and especially by me, his wife.

      There is no better role model for being a Success at Life than Richard G. Nixon!"

      So, I guess his family now ownes the rights, and is keeping the website online.

      Richard G. Nixon: The New Lazy Man

      I am not an affiliate.

      :-Don
      Interesting, Don. I once had a long telephone talk with one of Karbo's contemporaries, Mark Haroldson. He told me that he and Joe had attended the same marketing seminar where they learned a brand new strategy, the Infotorial.

      That's what Karbo used to market Lazy Man's Way. It's also what Haroldson used to market his series of 'nothing down' type real estate books and seminars. Our conversation was back in the 90s. Haroldson was kind enough to coach me through writing my own first infotorial.
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  • Both of them passed away. RIP. We can remember them by their books.
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