All Questions
334 questions
2
votes
1
answer
82
views
Is it legal to write a book about debates that I've participated in?
I was online and I didn't really see anything regarding this, I thought that if I made an informative book including debates that I've had, it would help out other debaters and speakers by providing ...
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
73
views
When are references a copyright infringement?
References to other media are usually not an infringement, but can they infringe copyright in some rare cases? Can I reproduce short quotations or slightly long phrases (prases around 9-15 words long)?...
user66536
20
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Do I have legal grounds against a book by an ex which depicts private details of my life, including some false events, without permission?
I recently found out an ex from 6 years ago recently published a book detailing all their past relationships leading up to their present wife. My friend read it and instantly knew when they were ...
- 201
0
votes
2
answers
133
views
Publishing anonymously; using a "proxy" author
I'd like to submit a short story for publication with (publisher here).
However, I'm a very private person and I'm not entirely happy with the protections afforded by a pseudonym.
If I were to sell my ...
- 101
1
vote
1
answer
322
views
Is it legal or illegal to print your fanfiction story into a physical book even if it's just for yourself only and not for profit?
I keep hearing all sorts of answers online about printing your fanfiction story into a physical book. Either it's okay or not okay to do as it is illegal and can break copyright. I can accept that it ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
109
views
Is it legal to print out a book in a different language?
Theoretically, let's say I have a friend who speaks in a foreign language and cannot understand English very well. That friend wants to read a popular English book, but they can't read it because they ...
user64012
3
votes
1
answer
127
views
An acknowledgements section thanking people you don't know
Acknowledgements sections that thank people you don't know and from whom you haven't asked permission are rare.
What are the pros and cons of including such thanks?
I suspect one of the reasons they'...
- 133
1
vote
2
answers
166
views
Will I be sued if I write about something that bears superficial resemblance to a real-world disaster, even when I add a disclaimer?
I am writing a story (actually a fanfiction) which I am serializing on Archive of Our Own, a popular site for that type of written works.
Actually I planned out the entire plot for that story since ...
3
votes
2
answers
74
views
Writing a short story set in a real museum - how much can I include?
I have written a short story set in a museum in Ireland. It is a private museum that contains various displays and sculptures. I am happy with the story and would like to submit it to a few journals/...
- 131
0
votes
1
answer
178
views
Am I legally allowed to expand someone else's short story into a novel?
For years I told a short story in my kindergarten classroom. It was written and freely shared by the writer. I rewrote the short story (2-3 pages) into a middle grade chapter book, expanding the plot, ...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
452
views
"Such" vs. "Said" vs. "The"
I'm a transactional attorney, but recently I've received some criticisms for my usage of the word "such" in lieu of "said" or "the" or "aforesaid" or similar ...
1
vote
2
answers
960
views
Is it okay if I use a historical figure's name for a work of fiction completely unrelated to history?
I was planning at some point to write a mystery fiction unrelated to history. I was inspired by writers who used literary figures as a name for their characters, yet the plot was completely unrelated ...
- 11
-1
votes
1
answer
96
views
I may publish a true crime non-fiction book... who is legally responsible of the accussations? Author or publisher?
I run a small imprint about a niche topic (in fact, I use POD services, so it may not be considered an actual imprint/publisher), but I was approached by an author who is writing a book about an ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
114
views
Seeking advice on safeguarding my manuscript
I'm an Australian writer who is contemplating sending my manuscript to a novel editor in America. I'm concerned about the possibility of my work being claimed by someone else. Given my limited ...
- 505
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
Can I publish a collection of poetry that alludes to other authors such as Shakespeare and Wordsworth without violating copyright?
I am a teacher. My students want to self publish their work as a collection of poetry and short stories.
Some of their assignments were to allude to other works and authors—like Wordsworth or ...
- 3
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Can I use more specific monsters and creatures legally?
To be specific, metallic or chromatic dragons for an example. I know mindflayers and beholders and such are way off the list. But is the concept of dragons in distinct categories like this too similar ...
- 61
2
votes
3
answers
313
views
Recreating public domain children's stories and using the original illustration?
Personally, I love old children's books. The artwork is phenomenal. Recently I saw more than one person selling Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. I do not intend to take public domain stories from one ...
- 53
0
votes
1
answer
101
views
Copyright question?
Can I use the phrases "what do you see?" and "I see--" that is used in Brown Bear, Brown Bear in a children’s book, or are those phrases copyrighted? My book is about Halloween ...
1
vote
3
answers
229
views
Do I need to ask real locations' permission to use them in my story?
I have written a children's book about dragons and the things they do in Texas. Do I need to ask i.e. the Lubbock Arboretum if it's okay that I mention them in my story? So my question is: When do I ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
81
views
Unpublished manuscript
I found some stories my mother wrote and they were never published. She is deceased. I know I can send them in but can I edit them before I do? She wrote them in the 1960s on a manual typewriter and ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
709
views
Can a 17 year old take NSFW Commissions? [closed]
As a 17 year old, am I allowed to write NSFW for commissions? If so, how extreme? Actual s*x, blowjobs, tits, etc lol, what would be allowed?
- 19
0
votes
1
answer
169
views
I paid for illustrations, now they want more money for copyrights for each illustration: do I owe them this?
My contract says that I paid for illustrations for a book and for its front and back covers. (I've completed the payment) Now they want more money and are saying that I need to pay for each copyright ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
102
views
Publishing copyright with regard to novels and comics
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I have a couple of questions about copyright law regarding written and illustrated works.
If I traditionally publish a novel and maintain the copyright, can I ...
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
59
views
Are runon sentences more permissible in legal writing?
In a legal filing, as long as the meaning is not at all ambiguous which seems to be the cardinal objective of legal writing, are runon sentences which may be more cumbersome to read less undesirable ...
- 111
5
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Are deity/god names protected by copyright or trademark?
If yes does this apply to historical deities/gods or only to fictional ones?
user57758
2
votes
2
answers
102
views
Should I change the name of fictional companies when they were created after I published my book?
Should I change the name of fictional companies when they were created after I published my book?
Let's say that one of my company names is "Cetus Industries" and Cetus Industries is ...
user36239
1
vote
1
answer
183
views
How far can the characteristics of a character be copied?
For instance, when Dota (Defense of the Ancients) was a Warcraft mod it had a character called "Lina Inverse" that was named after the character from the Slayers anime series, and that three ...
user57255
-1
votes
1
answer
334
views
How do I give attribution to pictures in a powerpoint slide presentation?
How do I give attribution to pictures in a powerpoint slide presentation? I use several images in a powerpoint slide presentation I prepared, and they're from Google Image Search, what are some proper ...
user36239
0
votes
1
answer
89
views
Is it illegal to take the story of someone who told and continued your story and tell it in your own way?
Is it illegal to take the story of someone who told your story and tell it in your own way?
Let's imagine an alternative Universe. In that universe, I am George Martin, creator of Games of Thrones, I ...
user36239
1
vote
0
answers
116
views
How do Fair Use and Copyright laws apply to allusions in writing?
I'm working on a novel where one of my main characters is young, and supposed to be obsessed with anything under the brand name "Star Wars"(Especially pertaining to the movie.) When talking ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
227
views
Writing a story based on parts of greek mythology
I'd like to write a story that uses bits and pieces from the myth about Ambrogio. Can I do that legally? I have my own version of this so-called myth and don't want to get myself in trouble if I use ...
- 11
3
votes
2
answers
126
views
Truth in Fiction, Liabilities
Are there guidelines for characters who are based on real people in a fiction novel? For example, I have a character who is patterned after an eccentric local elected official. Of course, different ...
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
645
views
Can we get sued for copying the same drawing style?
Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball & Square Enix's Dragon Quest share the same art style, but it's because they were designed by the same artist, Akira Toriyama. I am wondering if we can get sued for ...
user36239
2
votes
1
answer
525
views
How do you posthumously credit the authors of public domain content in your adaptation?
My question concerns the author Ben H. Winters who has recently published several books with himself listed as Jane Austen’s co-author. Sense and Sensibilities and Sea Monsters is one such novel ...
- 1,122
6
votes
1
answer
221
views
Do I have to attribute Apache font license when using it for e-book and print book?
I'm currently in the process of writing a book, and I'm using mostly OFL fonts in it, but I also find some Apache licensed fonts very attractive and would like to use them.
The condition for using ...
- 61
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Should you include all documents when you send a script to the writer's guild for copyright protection?
If you're writing a movie script and you want to protect that script as a copyright, should you send other documents along with it, or is the movie script more than enough? I am thinking whether other ...
user36239
0
votes
2
answers
80
views
Taking suggestions from your readers on how to progress your story without being liable to legal damage?
Taking suggestions from your readers on how to progress your story without being liable to legal damage? Is there a way to navigate this, or this should be a no no at all times, because the risk of a ...
user36239
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What are the fair use rules in the USA for short quotes from books or song lyrics in a novel?
What are the fair use rules in the USA for short quotes from books or song lyrics in a novel when they are explicitly quoted and attributed to their source? I'm looking at self-published work (...
- 469
2
votes
1
answer
146
views
What are the copyright laws on writing books about living artists?
I was wondering if I wanted to write, illustrate, and publish children's books that is about an artist and their life (their journey as a child to an adult but in a simple whimsical childlike story), ...
- 21
0
votes
4
answers
277
views
What are the legal protections for fictionalized autobiographies?
Suppose an author is writing a novel that is heavily based on autobiographical material and is based in the USA and Canada. What steps would need to be taken for the author to avoid being sued for ...
- 469
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
using a word for another meaning
Sorry if it sounds stupid but here's the question:
I have a character who thinks the Italian word "pronto" has a similar meaning as "stupid" no matter how much others tell him the ...
- 177
0
votes
2
answers
135
views
Parallel Universes With Real people [duplicate]
I'm writing a story where the main character is going into different parallel universes.
Can you get in trouble for referencing a real person or thing if they’re in one of those different universes?
0
votes
1
answer
146
views
How do you ensure people don't plagiarize a work you've submitted to the writer's guild?
I found that there's a writer's guild registration system, but it made me wonder what allows you to prevent people from reading work submitted to the writer's guild association and plagiarize it? Is ...
user36239
0
votes
1
answer
220
views
How do you timestamp a written document?
How do you timestamp a written document? So that it can be used in a court of law if you seek to get compensation for a stolen intellectual property?
user36239
3
votes
1
answer
191
views
Can I use the brand name of a drug?
More specifically I want to mention the drug Dexedrine, however, if that can lead to legal problems, I could simply describe it as an Amphetamine prescription.
- 83
3
votes
2
answers
168
views
Publishing Contract - Unsure about the legal wording
So I've just been sent through a publishing contract for my debut novel. I don't have a literary agent as I submitted straight to the publisher. They liked the manuscript and have sent me a contract ...
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
What permissions do I need for publishing a story with a chapter requested by somebody else?
In my story I have a chapter that was requested by another person while I was accepting requests. Now as I am getting a second draft and Betas, I was wondering what kind of legal stuff I would need to ...
- 2,981
1
vote
1
answer
184
views
Is magical factions story too similar to Harry Potter?
I have and idea for a story where everybody has magical potential and at a certain age they must choose a style of magic of where they will base their learning from. Is this too similar to Harry ...
0
votes
1
answer
152
views
Non-Fiction References/Copyright
I’m writing a non-fiction book and I want to use authors and books as supporting references.
Does anyone know if this sample below represents a copyright infringement?
Copyright is a legal protection....
- 1
2
votes
3
answers
134
views
When is it better to use a real life versus a generic fast food company name when talking about a regional chain?
So, I know that questions regarding the usage of real-life company names has been brought up before, but this is a really weird example that I've run into that doesn't seem covered by the previous ...
- 4,664