Attention, Smashwords shoppers

Um.

I’m not sure what’s going on, but the Smashwords Content Team has apparently taken sudden exception to “Liaden Universe(R)” and are asking me to remove the (R) from the product description.  I have previously modified ®, which is the grown-up typographical form, to (R) at Smashwords in order to comply with a previous request No, I’m wrong — It was because ® turned into so much gibberish when the product page was uploaded.

Steve and I own the registered trademark “Liaden Universe®”.  It must always, by law, appear just that way, the two words and the ®.  If I cannot use ® or (R) when referring to the proper series name, then…let’s just say bad legal things would happen.

I have written my second letter to the Smashwords Content Team, asking WTF? (since, yanno, the books have been up there since late May/early June),  and also Why?

I don’t know how this is going to play out.  If we can’t reach an agreement — which is to say, the Content Team remains adamant and I remain constrained by law — then all Pinbeam Books will have to come off of Smashwords.

Which is a long way to say to those of you who prefer to shop at Smashwords, and who have perhaps put off buying Liaden Universe® material there — you might want to buy now.

Thanks for listening, and fingers crossed for a mutually agreeable resolution.