Books to Film: The Option Versus The Shopping Agreement
Most writers dream about their book becoming a movie. It’s exciting to think about seeing our creative endeavors on the big screen or television. Plus, who doesn’t like receiving more money? But adapting a book into a movie is a...
Transfer of Copyright Ownership
One of the automatic perks you receive when your creative work is fixed in a tangible form of expression is a bundle of exclusive rights, courtesy of the U.S. copyright laws. A copyright provides the owner the exclusive rights to...
Copyright Permissions — Ask for it. Don’t beg forgiveness.
I tend to operate by the old adage, “It’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission,” provided my actions are well-reasoned. But when it comes to using copyright-protected work, that rule is not such a great idea. Use of...
The World of Fan Fiction — Where Creative Expression and Copyright Collide
Popular books, movies, or cable shows often inspire devoted fans to write their own fictional stories about beloved characters, settings, or plots. Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Captain Kirk and Spock, Harry Potter, Edward and...