Six Degrees of Shanghai Girls

http://shanghai.talkmagazines.cn/issue/2012-03/six-degrees-shanghai-girls

In a culture not especially heralded for its innovation nor respect of intellectual property rights, mofang (copycatting) has become China’s ultimate cliché. But what does it say about the state of literature when writers are so desperate for readers that they resort to copycatting even the most superficial aspects of another author’s book: the title and cover art?

Comments

# 1.   

That's very common, though. http://readingthepast.com/gallery/reusable-covers.htm

Anna GC, February 28, 2012, 7p.m.

# 2.   

@Anna GC: Re-using classical artwork for historical and classic literature is quite common, sure, but I think the point of this article is to illustrate that the offending author shamelessly appropriated not just the cover art but also the TITLE of her competitor's book.

SN, February 29, 2012, 2:20a.m.

# 3.   

It's common even with covers for non-classics, since many designers buy photos from the same places. But Chinese writers do tend to "steal" not only covers and titles, they just love to follow trends. If one book about a wolf becomes a success, then everyone writes about wolves the next year. Or Tibet. Or whatever.

Anna GC, February 29, 2012, 7:35p.m.

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