Arbor Books Introduces Defamation Protection for Clients

Ramsey, NJ, February 16, 2007 --(PR.com)-- In response to the growing issue of defamation in the publishing industry, Arbor Books announced steps it has taken to protect its clients.

Arbor Books, a leading provider of self-publishing, ghostwriting and marketing services, announced an arrangement with one of the top defamation and intellectual property law firms in the United States, Henry R. Kaufman, P.C., to provide legal oversight and counsel against defamation for all their clients.

Henry R. Kaufman has more than 30 years’ experience in publishing, first amendment and copyright law and litigation. An expert on defamation and privacy law, and related content issues, he also counsels publishers and authors on contract and literary property matters.

Of counsel to Mr. Kaufman’s firm is Michael K. Cantwell, who held editorial and executive positions in the publishing industry in New York for 15 years before obtaining his law degree and a Master of Laws in intellectual property.

The growing issue of defamation claims has plagued a number of self-publishing firms, including several of the biggest names in print-on-demand (POD). One recent case resulted in nearly $500,000 in damages.

“The best way to safeguard yourself against defamation litigation is to work with a reputable self-publishing firm,” says Larry Leichman, co-owner of Arbor Books.

This new plan at Arbor Books affords five optional levels of protection:
1) Editorial review of all manuscripts
2) Prepublication legal reviews (“vetting”) of book manuscripts
3) Ongoing in-house training and education of writers and editors on rules of defamation, copyright and other legal issues
4) Insurance coverage in the event of any lawsuits
5) Direct access to expert legal counsel at reduced rates

“At Arbor Books, we have an expert staff of seasoned editors and managers to provide oversight, as well as other security measures to prevent or respond to defamation suits,” says Arbor Books co-owner Joel Hochman.

Mr. Hochman emphasizes the consequences of defamation: “Major lawsuits can involve potentially ruinous financial consequences, harm to the author’s reputation, and the stigma of an adverse libel judgment—all possible results of accusations of defamation,” he says.

A full-service, turnkey publishing company with a staff of 100 writers, designers and publicists, Arbor Books works with mainstream publishing companies, independent publishers and self-publishing authors throughout the process of manuscript preparation, cover design, illustration, printing, distribution, book marketing and author publicity.

With its well-deserved worldwide reputation, the Arbor Books ghostwriting division works with Fortune 500 companies, public relations firms, advertising companies, Hollywood celebrities, sports figures, politicians, businesspeople, public speakers, financial advisors and others interested in having their fiction or nonfiction books become reality.

National bestsellers, movie deals and selection by major publishing houses have all been the order of the day for many Arbor Books authors.

Arbor Books authors have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, ABC News and FOXNews, and have become columnists for major newspapers and magazines, including USA Today.

Arbor Books authors sell their books through more than 40,000 stores worldwide, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Costco, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, as well as through specialty catalogs, distributors and book clubs.

Cofounders Hochman and Leichman are publishing industry veterans and are listed in the Literary Market Place. Arbor Books is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

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