In his first reaction to the controversy over his unpublished memoir, former army chief MM Naravane backed the stand of the book’s publisher Penguin Random House India (PRHI).
Former army chief MM Naravane shared the publisher’s statement on his official X handle. (PTI)Earlier today the publisher Dr A book announcement or its availability for pre-order is not the same as publication. It further clarifies that the book is not published and that no copies are published, distributed or sold and that any circulation of the memoir would constitute copyright infringement.
Sharing the publisher’s statement on his official X handle, Naravane said, “This is the status of the book.”
Penguin Random House India faced heat after an alleged circulation of PDF copies of Naravan’s memoirs, which the Defense Ministry is yet to clear.
Delhi Police Currently investigating Illegal circulation of copies. Controversy over the memoir erupted after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi quoted from the book to attack the government in the Lok Sabha.
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Penguin clarifies, publishes publication guidelinesHighlighting in its statement that circulation of any copies would be copyright infringement, Penguin clarified that it “retains the sole publishing rights to the book Four Stars of Destiny, the memoir of former Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravaan.” The publisher said it was Clearing his position In light of recent public discourse and media reporting.
It also said the memoir was not published, and “no copy of the book – in print or digital form – has been published, distributed, sold or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India.”
“Any copy of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, in print, digital, PDF, or any other format, online or offline, on any platform, violates PRHI’s copyright and must be stopped immediately. Penguin Random House India will use the remedies available under law against illegal and unauthorized publication.”
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Following his statement, Penguin published a “quick guide to how book publishing works,” stating that “an announced book, a book available for pre-order, and a published book are not the same thing.” An announcement by the publisher means that the publisher has shared that a book is planned, but not yet published or available for sale.
Regarding a book being available for pre-order, Penguin said, “Pre-order is a standard publishing practice. It allows readers and retailers to place orders in advance. The book is not yet published or available.” It also clarified that a scheduled “publication date means that the book is planned to be published”, but does not mean that it has been published.
“A book is published only when it is available in retail channels for purchase. We are committed to transparency and transparency in the books we publish,” the publisher said while concluding its statement.
