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| Posted By : H.P. Lovesauce - 4/15/2008 8:56 AM | | How much sympathy does she deserve, and how much of a copyright violation is this proposed lexicon?
CNN said...
J.K. Rowling says the Harry Potter characters she created are as dear as her children -- too precious to allow an inferior Potter encyclopedia to be published without letting the world know the ordeal is draining her of her will to write.
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| Posted By : Hamstersbane - 4/15/2008 1:22 PM | It's her creation, her decision. That being said, I don't know how much sympathy she deserves, especially with that kind of over-the-top BS she's spouting there.
Jeff Parish
Jennings Grove, an online horror serial novel
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| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 1:40 PM | I think it would be a copyright violation if the lexicon contained actual passages from the books. It could also be a trademark violation, assuming that the characters are also trademarks. If I recall correctly, Rowling is suggesting it would be violation of copyright and trademark.
I'm torn. I certainly can see why Rowling wants to protect her actual work, but an encyclopedia? It sounds more like she's just upset because the lexicon author beat her to the punch. And "draining her of her will to write" sounds a bit over-dramatic.
From what I've read, a decision in favour of Rowling could set a dangerous literary precedent. Think about it - all writers and publishers of popular encyclopedias could face lawsuits of this nature if she were to win. And what about articles? Would it be extended to articles as well? Reviews, too? I say it's a slippery slope.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 4/15/2008 1:56 PM | I'm baffled that a bunch of writers aren't taking J. K. Rowling's side. She should be able to control her creative content. Period. Even Vander Ark knew it was wrong.
Jordan Lapp
Managing Editor
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| Posted By : Hamstersbane - 4/15/2008 2:52 PM | I support her in relation to her creeative content, Jordan. I just get more than a little irked by the "draining her of her will to write" bit. Never could stand drama queens.
Jeff Parish
Jennings Grove, an online horror serial novel
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| Posted By : Edward Knight - 4/15/2008 3:09 PM | As do I. She has every right to protect her property and should to the fullest degree.
Edward Knight
Editor
Journey Books Publishing
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| Posted By : Jared Evers - 4/15/2008 3:47 PM | The guy says he had substantial concerns about the idea. If he's such a huge fan, I would think that all that should've been needed was for Rowling to say, "Please don't publish this."
As for drama queens, there seems to be an equal amount of drama on both sides. |
| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 4:06 PM | But, but, but...I certainly support her wanting to defend her creation within her legal rights to do so. However, the fact that she wants to sue the author of a lexicon of the Harry Potter world worries me just a little. Where would this thinking end?
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 4/15/2008 4:09 PM | Where it naturall SHOULD end: People having control of their own creations.
Can you mention a few things you think might be dangerous about such a lawsuit, Richard?
Jordan Lapp
Managing Editor
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| Posted By : TL Morganfield - 4/15/2008 4:14 PM | I'd have more sympathy if a.) she hadn't come out earlier in her career and praised the work this guy was doing and endorsed it, and b.) if the work in question struck me more as fan-fiction rather than "scholarly" in nature (he isn't rewriting her universe after all. He's providing a guide to it, documented from Rowling's work like any English student would do in their college lit classes.). I personally think that Rowling's realizes that she screwed herself over by openly admitting that she consulted his "encyclopedia" while working on her later books and that kind of endorsement placed more credibility in the information he'd collected than in her own. Will she next try to sue folks trying to publish critical essays in lit journals about her work because "their misinterpretation of what I intended with my work is draining my will to write!"
www.tlmorganfield.com
The Feathered Serpent's Nest (Blog)
One World stories:
"Night Bird Soaring" in GUD, issue #3 (forthcoming)
"What Makes Us Strong" in Atomjack, November 2007
"The Last Arabian Prince" in Atomjack, November 2006
"Dedication" in Dragons, Knights & Angels, also available in Distant Passages 2.
Sixth Sun Rising stories:
"Ancient Artifacts" in Tales of Moreauvia (forthcoming)
"Love, Blood and Octi" in Paradox, October 2007
"The Divine Conquest of Mexico" in Sorcerous Signals, August 2007
Non-series fiction:
"My Sweet Andromache" in Nanobison, (forthcoming)
"So Weeps the Thunderbird" in Lilith Unbound, (forthcoming |
| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 4:17 PM | Did she create the lexicon this author is trying to publish? No, she created the characters and the setting, but not this particular work. She's suing because she wants to publish her own, supposedly superior, encyclopedia.
You don't see a problem intrinsic in this idea? What, any writer can now sue Britannica or Encarta if they publish something about that writer's work in an encyclopedia entry? Perhaps that's a bit of a stretch, but you never know...
Or, Britanica and World Book both have an entry, and one can now sue the other because they say their entry is better?
I bet some encyclopedia already has an entry about Rowling and/or her books,. Is she now going to sue each and every informational text that contains mention of Harry Potter?
That's what worries me about this whole thing.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 4:20 PM |
TL Morganfield said...Will she next try to sue folks trying to publish critical essays in lit journals about her work because "their misinterpretation of what I intended with my work is draining my will to write!"
Ah, yeah, I was wondering that, too. And thinking along these lines, would reviews also be subject to lawsuits?
"Your review hurt my pride as a writer, and has drained my creativity!"
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 4:45 PM | Here's a suggestion - if her proposed encyclopedia really is so much better, let the consumer decide which is truly worthy of purchase. I bet, even with certain national economies in shambles, there's room for at least two Harry Potter lexicons.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : TL Morganfield - 4/15/2008 4:47 PM | Since it's non-fiction about fiction, I think if she did win this it would set a precedent to call into question the legality of things like Cliff Notes and other such references, as well as literary criticism of copyrighted work. I personally don't think she'll win this and that the Lexicon will be deemed a scholarly work and therefore protected. But it's really quite sad to see her acting like this. She's only the richest woman in Britain and she's acting like she'll have to eat out of garbage cans if this reference book goes through (instead of doing the smart thing and just writing her own chocked full of stuff that never appeared in the books and releasing it as an "authorized" version and laughing all the way to bank--or better yet donating those proceeds to charities to make herself look wonderful and giving).
www.tlmorganfield.com
The Feathered Serpent's Nest (Blog)
One World stories:
"Night Bird Soaring" in GUD, issue #3 (forthcoming)
"What Makes Us Strong" in Atomjack, November 2007
"The Last Arabian Prince" in Atomjack, November 2006
"Dedication" in Dragons, Knights & Angels, also available in Distant Passages 2.
Sixth Sun Rising stories:
"Ancient Artifacts" in Tales of Moreauvia (forthcoming)
"Love, Blood and Octi" in Paradox, October 2007
"The Divine Conquest of Mexico" in Sorcerous Signals, August 2007
Non-series fiction:
"My Sweet Andromache" in Nanobison, (forthcoming)
"So Weeps the Thunderbird" in Lilith Unbound, (forthcoming |
| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 4:53 PM |
TL Morganfield said...Since it's non-fiction about fiction, I think if she did win this it would set a precedent to call into question the legality of things like Cliff Notes and other such references, as well as literary criticism of copyrighted work. I personally don't think she'll win this and that the Lexicon will be deemed a scholarly work and therefore protected. But it's really quite sad to see her acting like this. She's only the richest woman in Britain and she's acting like she'll have to eat out of garbage cans if this reference book goes through (instead of doing the smart thing and just writing her own chocked full of stuff that never appeared in the books and releasing it as an "authorized" version and laughing all the way to bank--or better yet donating those proceeds to charities to make herself look wonderful and giving).
Thank you. That's what I've been trying to say, but it didn't quite come out right. Been one of those days.
By the way, Rowling has already said that she had intended to donate the proceeeds from her own Potter encyclopedia to charity. I give her kudos for that at least.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 4:55 PM |
erazmus said...
This isn't the first universe o have an outside write a guidebook for it, but all the others I know of were approved by the owner of the property...
What about "unauthorized" guides? They seem to pop up all the time, especially when something is immensely popular.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : RHFay - 4/15/2008 5:47 PM | Well, my wife (who has a law degree, works in a law firm, and has seriously researched intellectual property law) just informed me that the lexicon author probably doesn't stand a chance if Rowling is not on board. So Rowling is apparently justified in her suit.
If the law's clearly on her side, then there's not much of an argument here, and I retract my previous concerns.
As an aside, the trademark for Harry Potter is listed as being under Warner Brothers on the official J. K. Rowling site.
Question - is Rowling suing on her own, or is Warner Brothers involved as well? They do apparently have a stake in this. Just curious.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : Steven the Git - 4/15/2008 6:52 PM | It does seem the law is on her side and this bloke, and the publishers, have been naughty, if maybe naive.
However to answer the question, I have no sympathy for her, and I don't think this would harm her or her world. I still think it is copyright and wrong, but I don't see how bad it would be. Certainly not draining her.
I maybe a bit of a cynic, but I do think this is more about clearing the way for her own cashing in, than setting the literary world to rights.
Again, if she is right to sue then she is right to sue, but I won't be cheering her on or feeling sorry for her. I've come across a number of writers who've had as tough or tougher lives than her, and still are, and she doesn't seem to do anything to help other writers or the fantasy world (in fact have heard her disparage it and Terry Pratchett seemed far from impressed with her in certain interviews).
As for giving money to charity, anything given to charity can be claimed back when paying tax, so not sure how selfless it would be.
Looking at the link, WB are in on it too. CNN even have to make their association clear at the bottom (Time Warner owning CNN and WB) Oh, and I think the Queen is still the richest over here. I know people say Rowling, but the Queen owns loads of land, besides the other assets. She's still queen of the block. 
“Hello, I am William Burton, Head of Recruitment and Integration for the Agency for Peaceful Regulation and Definitive Cooperation of Extraordinary Existence.”
spinetinglers.co.uk Bakemono will not stop! |
| Posted By : Jim Stratton - 4/15/2008 7:43 PM | I agree with Jordan. She created the tale and universe. She's entitled to protect it from poachers. And that's all the encyclopedia is. It was one thing when this was posted online for free. It's something else when the author/publisher are trying to make money from someone else creative work. Legally/commercially, they need to pay her for the right before they publish. I cannot believe they didn't think they needed to, that they could just publish and she wouldn't mind.
Jim S
Jim Stratton
Forthcoming publications:
“The Heretic” in Tower of Light Online Magazine in Issue #5 (March, 2008).
“Living With Miracles” in Big Pulp Online Magazine in October, 2008.
“One Life, One Arrow” in “Paper Blossoms, Sharpened Steel” due out in late 2009.
“Your Duty To Your Lord” in Morrigan Books' “Age of Blood & Snow”, due out Winter, 2008. |
| Posted By : TL Morganfield - 4/15/2008 8:13 PM | Well, my wife (who has a law degree, works in a law firm, and has seriously researched intellectual property law) just informed me that the lexicon author probably doesn't stand a chance if Rowling is not on board. So Rowling is apparently justified in her suit.
I stand corrected as well. But I still think she's handled this all wrong.
It was one thing when this was posted online for free.
But if we're talking copyright infringement, monetary gain isn't a criteria. He was in violation the moment he posted it on the web, which is why Rowling's claims of infringement now that she wants to write her own encyclopedia doesn't sit well with me. She knew for years that it was posted there and in fact endorsed it (and consulted it for her own work, so it could be said that she benefited monetarily from his work), but never did anything about it until there was potential money involved. If the interest was truly about her intellectual property, she would have had her lawyers nip that website in bud right away (along with all the other Potter websites of a similar ilk). Suffice it to say that neither party has clean hands in this and while Rowling has the law on her side, it will undoubtedly tarnish her image with a segment of her fan population.
www.tlmorganfield.com
The Feathered Serpent's Nest (Blog)
One World stories:
"Night Bird Soaring" in GUD, issue #3 (forthcoming)
"What Makes Us Strong" in Atomjack, November 2007
"The Last Arabian Prince" in Atomjack, November 2006
"Dedication" in Dragons, Knights & Angels, also available in Distant Passages 2.
Sixth Sun Rising stories:
"Ancient Artifacts" in Tales of Moreauvia (forthcoming)
"Love, Blood and Octi" in Paradox, October 2007
"The Divine Conquest of Mexico" in Sorcerous Signals, August 2007
Non-series fiction:
"My Sweet Andromache" in Nanobison, (forthcoming)
"So Weeps the Thunderbird" in Lilith Unbound, (forthcoming |
| Posted By : SherylNantus - 4/16/2008 7:50 AM | *looks up*
actually, I'd be more miffed if I were one of the contributors to the webpage - as stated in court by the owner (author?) there's no plans to PAY those people who helped write the entries for this encyclopedia unless it "is successful" - in other words, this fellow's going to not only take a huge hunk of Rowling's work and try to sell it under his wing but also the work of fellow writers who contributed their work for free with the understanding that it'd be accessible to everyone.
it's one thing to put up info for free, another to start charging for it.
supposedly this fellow also approached MANY other publishers before finding this small house willing to risk the legal system. Big red flag there, IMO.
I figure she's going to win. But I could be wrong... |
| Posted By : HTKuehl - 4/16/2008 8:44 AM | I'm tired, so this may come out rather chopy. I tend to side with Rowling on this. Knowing that she had plans to come out with an encyclopedia to begin with, Vander Ark should have proposed merging the two ideas into one rather than try to beat her to the punch. I do believe that it's a voilation of her copyright and trademark. And as CNN points out, if Vander Ark wins this, it could mean that authors will have to surpress the creative output of their fans. (Think Anne McCaffrey if you wish).
Besides, Vander Ark obviously thought it was wrong to begin with:
From CNN:
He said he initially declined proposals to convert the Web site into an encyclopedia, in part because he believed until last August that in book form, it would represent a copyright violation. After Rowling released the final chapter in the Harry Potter series that same month, Vander Ark was contacted by an RDR Books employee, who told him that publication of the lexicon would not violate copyright law, he said. Still, to protect himself, Vander Ark said he insisted that RDR Books include a clause in his contract that the publisher would defend and pay any damages that might result from claims against him.
"Learn to paint pictures with words." ~ Brian Jacques
"I never considered that I wouldn't make it. Ignorance is bliss sometimes. If I had known how hard it would be, I might have given up." ~ Kim Harrison
------------------------
Forthcoming:
"Wayward Magic" and "Tone Deaf." Strange Worlds of Lunacy: The Galaxy's Silliest Anthology, April 2008.
"The Voice Within the Book." DemonMinds, April 15, 2008.
"The Magic Word." Flashshot, April 17, 2008.
"Blythe's Vengeance." Fantasy Gazetteer, May 2008.
"Raising the Dead." Bewildering Stories: Issue 288, May 5, 2008.
"To Have and to Hold." Flashshot, May 10, 2008.
"The Final Goodbye." Ruins Metropolis. Hadley Rille Books, 2008.
"Dalamar's Quest." Flashing Swords, February 2009.
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| Posted By : strange behaviour - 4/16/2008 11:27 AM | | When this first hit the news a little while back, I heard that one of the issues with the Lexicon was that it was basically the website in book form, and that it contain vast quantities (and I'm not talking fair use amounts) of the text of the novels. If that's the case then it's certainly copyright infringement.
That said, doesn't copyright law state that you can't copyright an idea only it's execution?  Although that's a moot point since Warner Bros are involved to protect the TM.
While I sympathise in terms of Rowling trying to protect her work, she doesn't get an awful lot of sympathy from me because the whole thing comes across that she's only doing it to protect sales of a book that hasn't even been written yet. Plus I agree that scholarly works should be protected from authors' tantrums, so for me I suppose it all hangs on just how scholarly the Lexicon actually is. |
| Posted By : TL Morganfield - 4/16/2008 4:11 PM | It looks like the publisher and Rowling have agreed to settlements in parts of the case (including the trademark issues, though that agreement is still in the works), but the copyright infringement issue continues to rage. And the publisher is taking the "scholarly work" position, and the judge thinks that American copyright law is vague enough that this argument could see this case all the way to the Supreme Court.
Here's some links to articles:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24160527/
blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/04/16/notes-from-the-potter-trial-after-a-partial-settlement-the-defense-digs-in/?mod=WSJBlog
www.tlmorganfield.com
The Feathered Serpent's Nest (Blog)
One World stories:
"Night Bird Soaring" in GUD, issue #3 (forthcoming)
"What Makes Us Strong" in Atomjack, November 2007
"The Last Arabian Prince" in Atomjack, November 2006
"Dedication" in Dragons, Knights & Angels, also available in Distant Passages 2.
Sixth Sun Rising stories:
"Ancient Artifacts" in Tales of Moreauvia (forthcoming)
"Love, Blood and Octi" in Paradox, October 2007
"The Divine Conquest of Mexico" in Sorcerous Signals, August 2007
Non-series fiction:
"My Sweet Andromache" in Nanobison, (forthcoming)
"So Weeps the Thunderbird" in Lilith Unbound, (forthcoming |
| Posted By : Steven the Git - 4/16/2008 6:06 PM |
SherylNantus said...
*looks up*
actually, I'd be more miffed if I were one of the contributors to the webpage - as stated in court by the owner (author?) there's no plans to PAY those people who helped write the entries for this encyclopedia unless it "is successful" - in other words, this fellow's going to not only take a huge hunk of Rowling's work and try to sell it under his wing but also the work of fellow writers who contributed their work for free with the understanding that it'd be accessible to everyone.
That's a very good point. It was done by fans and they do seem to be losing out.
Looking at those two links, I have to say the main impression I get is that this lexicon is pretty poor. In a way, I see why they have taken this to court, yet I can't help but think, if she puts out her own book, the OFFICIAL guide to Potter, that fans won't be torn between the two. She would sweep that paltry effort aside.
Then again, the defending lawyer's main argument seems to be, we ain't doing any harm, which is a pretty weak case.
One other thing, the suggestion was some genres need this type of book to make things more clear. Also, that fantasy is the one that needs it most.
I don't know, but my heckles rose at that one. Seemed to say to me, fantasy is fair game for this as it is all weird like. 
“Hello, I am William Burton, Head of Recruitment and Integration for the Agency for Peaceful Regulation and Definitive Cooperation of Extraordinary Existence.”
spinetinglers.co.uk Bakemono will not stop! |
| Posted By : Jim Stratton - 4/16/2008 9:28 PM | There is a dilemma for authors these days dealing with fan sites. What do you do? The problem with the fan sites (especially if you're a successful author) is that they are too numerous to chase down and shut down. Witness the many web sites out there that actually post whole novels online. I gather most publishers will ignore these sites. The cost of suing can be huge. But what to do when they start publishing hard copies? And especially in competition for the author's own work, whether planned or published? This is the author's property folks. That is what copyright is all about, giving the creator exclusive rights to their literary works and any derivative works for life plus. And they get to say who can use it, not the fan author or publisher.
Jim Stratton
Forthcoming publications:
“The Heretic” in Tower of Light Online Magazine in Issue #5 (March, 2008).
“Living With Miracles” in Big Pulp Online Magazine in October, 2008.
“One Life, One Arrow” in “Paper Blossoms, Sharpened Steel” due out in late 2009.
“Your Duty To Your Lord” in Morrigan Books' “Age of Blood & Snow”, due out Winter, 2008. |
| Posted By : Kuroboshii - 4/17/2008 1:16 AM | I think J. K. Rowling is right--creating a fan site is one thing, publishing a book for profit is really another. But her hissy fit earns zero credit with me. Maybe this is just me being naive, but. . .can't she manage this without gushing about how her characters are "like her children"?
Sean T. M. Stiennon (AKA Kuroboshii)
Check out my author page at www.sfreader.com/authors/seanstiennon |
| Posted By : strange behaviour - 4/17/2008 3:52 AM |
Kuroboshii said...I think J. K. Rowling is right--creating a fan site is one thing, publishing a book for profit is really another. But her hissy fit earns zero credit with me. Maybe this is just me being naive, but. . .can't she manage this without gushing about how her characters are "like her children"?
I think that's to get the non-writer sympathy vote, because any writer reading it knows full well the kind of cruel things they can and will do to their characters. 
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| Posted By : Steven the Git - 4/17/2008 6:40 AM | Is she going to turn into the new George Lucas?
Maybe years from now she'll write the prequels and the grown up kiddie fans will rant at her! 
“Hello, I am William Burton, Head of Recruitment and Integration for the Agency for Peaceful Regulation and Definitive Cooperation of Extraordinary Existence.”
spinetinglers.co.uk Bakemono will not stop! |
| Posted By : SherylNantus - 4/17/2008 8:43 AM | yep, the hissy fit ain't gonna win her no new allies.
the problem as I see it is that the website owner (let's NOT call him a writer, since the contents of the website are mostly quotes from the Potter books and contributions from others) thinks that he can take a property he's offering for free to the public, slap it on the page and between two covers and sell it.
that's just not going to happen.
at least, I hope not... |
| Posted By : Jared Evers - 4/17/2008 1:30 PM | | Agreed with the hissy fit. I think she's right to take action against this guy and his publisher, but I don't care much for her as a person. She's been pretty condescending toward the fantasy genre in the past, for one thing. For another, sure--your characters are your children. I think most writers can sympathize. But by this point I would think she could be professional enough to get her writing done despite being sad about the lawsuit. |
| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 4/17/2008 2:34 PM | Yeah, but it would have her name on it, and it looks like it's an amateurish production...
Jordan Lapp
Managing Editor
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| Posted By : Jaqhama - 4/29/2008 5:51 AM | Harry who?
You can read some of my stories here:
Swamp Story. Down South. Florida Haze.Wild Justice...
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| Posted By : RHFay - 4/29/2008 10:13 AM |
Jared Evers said...
Agreed with the hissy fit. I think she's right to take action against this guy and his publisher, but I don't care much for her as a person. She's been pretty condescending toward the fantasy genre in the past, for one thing. For another, sure--your characters are your children. I think most writers can sympathize. But by this point I would think she could be professional enough to get her writing done despite being sad about the lawsuit. You have to admit, it is an interesting excuse for writer's block.
"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions
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| Posted By : Hermit - 4/29/2008 2:40 PM | Hope I don't get sued for this . . .
Is Rowling even a professional author? Or did she just kind of get lucky?
How many rejections has she gotten? I guess what I'm getting at here is that whining over 'my precious children' is a very good sign of an immature writer. I sympathize with her totally. Even while finding it rather feeble of her to do publically.
As for the lawsuit . . . she has the right to protect her children! It's obviously not about money - and all about money. But money isn't the end so much as the means. The end is power and influence - and ownership. It seems obvious to me at this point that the lexicon in question falls very shy of qualifying as a scholarly work. I'm thinking JKR's publisher should have picked this up before it ever got anywhere - should have investigated him as a candidate for collaboration. If they had some reason to reject him, it is likely that he was not on the level.
Is it possible that Rowling is fighting as much on her fans' behalf as on her own? If so, would she be afraid to admit it at this point due to how petty she's being portrayed?
I agree with Jordan that we should sympathize with her - or shut the heck up any time we think to do any whining of our own.
And with Richard: that is an interesting excuse for writers block. 
Read me soon in The Return of the Sword!
Blog: http://bitterhermit.wordpress.com
Buy wine: http://fringemonkey.org
Poetry Blog: http://fringemonkey.wordpress.com |
| Posted By : SherylNantus - 5/1/2008 6:55 AM | IIRC the person in question AND his publisher asked for permission from Rowling's publisher and were told "NO"... and then went ahead and planned it anyway.
aside from just being impolite it's a darned nice way to make the lawyers some money - I suspect that the small publisher figured that they'd get paid off to go away or something along those lines and are surprised that they're still in court.
I think the problem is that the guy (I can't call him an author since he's basically taking the work of OTHERS, including those who donated their time and articles to the site and who he has no plans to pay...) figures that somehow if it's online that it's okay to make money for it.
if he locked up the website and charged admission/membership it'd be the same problem - you can't make money on something that's not yours. Period. And there's a big difference between putting a resource online for everyone to see and access for free and slapping it between the covers of a book and making money off of it.
jmo, of course... |
| Posted By : cussedness - 5/3/2008 11:40 AM | There is a lot of difference between scholarly works and a lexicon. In scholarly works, snippets are quoted (Fair Use has some very specific definitions of limits to the size of those quotations).
I think that the fan fiction rules are closer to what is involved here.
Janrae Frank
I have no skeletons in my closet, they are all hanging from the yardarm.
Once there were three brothers, Brandrahoon the vampire, Isranon called the Dawnhand, speaker to spirits, and Waejonan the Accursed, first of sa’necari. Isranon defied his brothers and was destroyed, his descendants forced into the darkness.
The Shadowed Princes
www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook64690.htm?cache
website
www.janraefrank.com
Darkzone
darkzone.yuku.com/ |
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