They Stole My Book & My Voice – Help Me Fight for Justice

For three years after college, I applied to job after job—always hearing ‘no.’ Because of my disability, doors kept closing. So, I built my own. I founded a children’s publishing company to make sure kids grow up knowing they are seen, valued, and capable of anything. Now, I’m fighting to protect that mission from trademark infringement, and I need your help to keep these stories alive and reaching children everywhere

I never imagined I’d have to fight to protect my own children’s book, but here I am. My trademarked title was taken, republished, and sold for months without my permission. Now I’m fighting for justice—not just for myself, but for every author who’s ever had their creativity stolen.

My name is Charity M. Harris, an award-winning children’s author, publisher, and disability advocate. I built my own publishing company from scratch to bring diverse, empowering stories to children everywhere. Living with a neuromuscular disability, Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, hasn’t been easy, especially after getting Covid for a third time, almost losing my life the first time, but I’ve dedicated my life to teaching kids kindness and resilience through literature.

Six years ago, August 2019, I published my bestselling book What If We Were All The Same!, a story that has touched thousands of children, promoted diversity and kindness, and was even recognized by ABC News, the San Francisco 49ers, Womens Insider, and the BBC.

https://whatifwewereofficial.com

Recently, another publisher released a book with nearly the same title and a strikingly similar theme and rhyming style as mine. Parents and teachers have been misled, thinking it’s my book. Even after I reported it and the distributor assured me that they were going to remove and return all the ASINs of the infringing book but they continued to sell on Amazon, Target, and other retailers for nearly 10 months—causing financial loss, brand damage, and emotional stress. The book has been selling worldwide without my knowledge.

I’ve hired a top intellectual property attorney to stop this willful trademark and copyright violation. We’re demanding full removal, compensation, and accountability. The parties involved have dismissed this very serious issue and even tried to blame me for not telling them to remove all versions of the book violating my rights, although their employee reached out to me on her own in January acknowledging that they have violated my rights and remove all copies. The first time they were notified, they admitted and acknowledged the copyright infringement, and yet they decided to place the same book back on Amazon. Now, after being very nice, I am prepared to take this case to federal court because they have chosen NOT to take accountability and compensate me for loss sales, statutory damages and the great stress this is causing. I am fighting to:

• Ensure full removal of the infringing book

• Recover damages for nearly a year of market harm

• Set a precedent that protects all authors and creators

CMHarrisBooks

Who I Am

I’m not only a children’s author, I am a publisher, and disability advocate who has dedicated my life to creating stories that uplift, inspire, and teach children the values of kindness, diversity, and acceptance.

Living with a neuromuscular disability, I’ve faced adversity, countless challenges and barriers—but I refused to let that stop me from pursuing my purpose of becoming an bestselling author. I built my own publishing company, Purple Diamond Press Inc from the ground up to give a voice to stories that matter and to ensure that every child can see themselves represented in books.

Over the years, I’ve spoken in classrooms, donated hundreds of books to schools, and worked tirelessly to empower children through literature. Writing isn’t just my profession—it’s my mission and purpose.

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Why I Need Your Help:

Legal battles are expensive, and as an independent author and publisher, I’m carrying these costs while continuing to create books that empower children worldwide.

Your support will:

• Cover legal fees and litigation costs to pursue justice

• Help pay for intellectual property protection for my future books

• Ensure that my voice and brand remain protected for years to come

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How You Can Help:

• Donate: Any amount helps fund this fight for justice.

• Share: Spread this campaign with friends, teachers, parents, and anyone who supports children’s literature and creative rights.

• Stand with Authors: Your support not only helps me—it helps protect all writers from losing their stories and hard-earned legacies.

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I’m deeply grateful for every contribution and for standing with me during this difficult time. Together, we can ensure that children’s authors are seen, heard, and protected.

Thank you for believing in me and in the power of storytelling.

~ C.M. Harris (Purple Diamond Press Inc)

Why This Is a Serious Trademark and Copyright Violation

What Happened

In 2019, I published my bestselling book What If We Were All The Same!, which became the foundation of my trademarked series.

Despite this, in 2024, another publisher released a book with an almost identical title:

• Title: What If We All Were The Same?

• Theme: Nearly the same message of diversity and acceptance

• Style: Uses rhyming verse, just like my original book

This could have caused confusion among readers, teachers, and parents, with many believing they were buying my book.

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Why This Is Infringement

This isn’t just a similar title—it’s a clear violation of my intellectual property rights:

• I hold a federal trademark for What If We Were®.

• The infringing book’s theme, tone, and rhyming style mimic my work, misleading consumers.

• Despite being notified in January 2025 and assuring to remove it, the infringing book remained on sale for 10 months across Amazon, Target, and other retailers worldwide.

This is:

• Trademark infringement – causing brand confusion and weakening my protected series.

• Copyright infringement – copying the creative expression, tone, and distinctive rhyming structure of my book.

This is not just about one book—it’s about protecting the identity, integrity, and future of my entire series and ensuring that no author has their creativity stolen or exploited without consequence.

This fight is bigger than one book—it’s about protecting creativity and the disability community. I refuse to be unseen, unheard and ignored.

Join Me in This Fight

This isn’t just my story, it’s a fight for creative rights and the voices of all authors who’ve been exploited.

Every donation, every share, every word of support brings us closer to justice.

Please donate and share this campaign