7 - Sunday, January 3], 1988 - North Shore News LAKES, STRAITH & RODGERS MLAILBOXx * Lawyers PUBLIC USE PAYMENTS l‘riter criticism unfair Dear Editor: As a North Shore writer who participates in the Payment for Public Use (PPU) program, 1 would like to respond to Walter Block's criticism of the program which appeared Dec. tl in your newspaper. Mr. Block presents three argu- ments against the PPU, a program by which authors are compensated when libraries use their books, His first point is that ‘‘some’’ book publishers charge libraries more for their books than individual buyers and that this double-pricing system is already a form of com- pensation. I do not have the figures but this practice certainly is not common enough to affect the income of many writers in Canada. 1 have written several books, none of which to my knowledge has ever HOMEOWNERS _ Dolumpsum insurance payments oud lumpin the threat, bringa tearfotie eye, andputadent in your pocketbook? Then read on, Because The . Dominion has the ideal solution. The Ideal Monthly Payment been sold to libraries at an inflated price. Mr. Block’s second point is that there is no logic to compensating only authors. What about the whole support staff of editors, printers, etc. that contribute to the publication of a book? The dif- ference, of course, is that these people are paid a salary for their work, whereas the author receives a royalty, a percentage of the cost of cach book sold. There is no basis for comparing the two func- tions. Mr. Block’s main argument is by analogy. He compares libraries to any other rental business, [f Hertz does not compensate car manufac- turers every time it rents a car, he wonders, why shauld writers be compensated when libraries lend oa their books? Hut writers are not the manufac- turers of books, publishers are, and publishers are not being com- pensated by the PPU, writers are. The point is not that libraries are doing publishers, or writers, out of additional sales. The point is that writers are unique because ihey receive pay- ment for their work by royaltics. It thercfore limits our livelihood when people can enjoy our work without paying for it. If writers were paid salaries while they were writing their books, perhaps Mr. Block would have a case. But they are not, so he doesn’t. Daniel Francis North Vancouver CONCORD is Back! CX 10 STATE OF THE ART CAR STEREO cCoNnconn “" 8499 Come on down and check out our stereos, radar detectors, car alarms and CD. players. PERFORMANCE CAR STEREO INSTALLATION © SALES © SERVICE ISO PEMBERTON — 986-1171 Real Estate Wills and Estates Corporate Law Commercial Law Personal Injuries Family Law Civil Litigation Criminal Law #202 - 1217 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND BEDSPREADS SLIPCOVERS TRACKS “IN-HOME SERVICE” Labour $6.50 per panel unlined. $7.50 Ilned All blinds 40% off list prices Phone for FREE estimates call 987-2966 Serving the North Shore for 16 years. HEA TER HEA TING? OAL Plan “ . _— wo r . Your car heater won't last forever if you are getting inte. yout Cal on these cooler tall mormnings an. ian Gi mand finding that yout windows wil not clear up. it could will be due ta a faking heater. Ths § Itallows you to pay for your has the eflect of a stearning kettle banesth yout Gashboard, and ng amount of wiping and {iki insurance premium with 12 ng with your deltoater will fh it, Your Cooting system should be SOIWICE every “2” years to monthly instalments. With an q Dtavenl unnecessary damage t Vide a Come in tor a HEATER TUNE-UP and enjoy clear satling this fall and winter absolutely no carrying charges. ; Just how ideal is the Plan? who needs it? | |NOPEST Rabiarons 984-0374 STEAM CLEAN IT =a : NORTH VAN UNDERCOATING LTD. FOREXAMPLE, IF YOUR MONTHLY YOUR ANNUAL. PAYMENT PREMIUMIS..., WOULDHE.... $240 $480 | $40 $720 & 1311 Pemberton Ave. & North Vancouver rel Sussex en Insurance “ abe SHOULD BE WITH A PYLON NOT A CHILD! Young Drivers of Canada is the only Driver Training Programme & that teaches “YD Emergency Manoeuvres” to new drivers. While # the training is simple, safe and effective it is a vital skill that every % A driver will need sooner or later. : VAN EAST KITSILANO | | KERRISDALE : 872-1266 734-1266 263-1655 ir NORTH VAN WEST VAN RICHMOND g 986-1084 986-1084 273-9743 Young Drivers of Canada Training centres coast to coast e Free pick up ¢ Special apt. & commercial rates e Take down & re-hanging service available THREE LOCATIONS 10 SERVE YOU 136 WEST did STREET NORTH VANCOUVER 988-6344 3053 EDGEMONT BLVD. NORTH VANCOUVER 988-6337 1578A MARINE DRIVE WEST VANCOUVER — . 925-2833 ty: shirt: serv! CHARGE:AC PINE CASTER AAI POA SA EAST NSE ELIE ERE 987-3431 987-3233 | Roy's 648 Queensbury Ave., North Van