Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
1–10 of 16 posts
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#2>I am not “the writer” of this book. I own the copyright of the manuscript, which was written by Andrew O’Hagan. By publishing this draft against my wishes Canongate has acted in breach of contract, in breach of confidence, in breach of my creative rights and in breach of personal assurances. The US publisher, Knopf, withdrew from the deal when it learned of Canongate’s intentions to publish without my consent. This book was meant to be about my life’s struggle for justice through access to knowledge. It has turned into something else. The events surrounding its unauthorised publication by Canongate are not about freedom of information — they are about old-fashioned opportunism and duplicity—screwing people over to make a buck.
Not to repeat "what's good for the goose is good for the gander"...but this complaint:
>This book was meant to be about my life’s struggle for justice through access to knowledge. It has turned into something else.
Stolen creative property aside, this a complaint that can be made by anyone who has ever been the subject of a story. Or who has ever has had their embarrassing secrets leaked.
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#3>I am not “the writer” of this book. I own the copyright of the manuscript, which was written by Andrew O’Hagan. By publishing this draft against my wishes Canongate has acted in breach of contract, in breach of confidence, in breach of my creative rights and in breach of personal assurances. The US publisher, Knopf, withdrew from the deal when it learned of Canongate’s intentions to publish without my consent. This…
Famous people often have to deal with unauthorized biographies.
Unauthorized autobiographies are a little rarer and less excusable.
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#4>I am not “the writer” of this book. I own the copyright of the manuscript, which was written by Andrew O’Hagan. By publishing this draft against my wishes Canongate has acted in breach of contract, in breach of confidence, in breach of my creative rights and in breach of personal assurances. The US publisher, Knopf, withdrew from the deal when it learned of Canongate’s intentions to publish without my consent. This…
> "what's good for the goose is good for the gander"
Assange is not, as far as I know, in favour of widespread breaches of privacy. He is in favour of breaching the privacy of governments and non-state organisations, etc for the public benefit.
Assange spent a large amount of his life (before wikileaks) working on technology that enables individuals to maintain their privacy and protect their personal information. It's important to understand that wanting to control his own autobiography is not a contradiction with respect to his work on government and corporate leaking.
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#5Assange received an advance for this book which he has declined to repay. He could hand the money back and then have a morally defensible position with regard to it's publication. As it is the publishers are entitled to recoup their investment and Assange is a whining hypocrite.
EDIT publisher's side of it here http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/22/julian-a...
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#6"You reap what you sow", "Live by the sword, die by the sword", et cetera...
I understand Assange's distinction between goverment/corporate privacy and personal privacy. But did someone who's placed themselves in the position he's in expect anything different? By being the public head of Wikileaks, he put himself out there. He's made himself a target to those he attacked.
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#7Private Eye has a good piece here on the self-aggrandising nature of Assange:
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=stree...
Wikileaks has become his personal toy - he's long given up the original mission of what was a worthy organisation.
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#8The BBC reported earlier in the week that he received £500,000 as an advance, and later wanted to cancel the contract but had, by that point, spent the money (and didn't intend to repay it).
The reference to that amount has been removed since - I don't know why. Either way, if the above is true it's laughable that he should have any complaint. Enjoy your half a million (and royalties - they are honouring the contract you signed).
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#9Private Eye has a good piece here on the self-aggrandising nature of Assange: http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=stree... Wikileaks has become his personal toy - he's long given up the original mission of what was a worthy organisation.
Are you sure the original mission was not to have it as a self-promotional toy?
Re: Assange: Statement on the publication of an unauthorized "autobiography"
#10>I am not “the writer” of this book. I own the copyright of the manuscript, which was written by Andrew O’Hagan. By publishing this draft against my wishes Canongate has acted in breach of contract, in breach of confidence, in breach of my creative rights and in breach of personal assurances. The US publisher, Knopf, withdrew from the deal when it learned of Canongate’s intentions to publish without my consent. This…
> "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" Assange is not, as far as I know, in favour of widespread breaches of privacy. He is in favour of breaching the privacy of governments and non-state organisations, etc for the public benefit. Assange spent a large amount of his life (before wikileaks) working on technology that enables individuals to maintain their privacy and protect their personal information. It…
I really hate when people attack him with this. Personal privacy and government secrecy are not the same thing at all.