Objection! That Courtroom Scene Sucks!
Most of us have seen a courtroom trial, either as a juror in the box or a visitor in the gallery. So we have a good understanding that the majority of what happens during a trial is relatively boring. Why then, if written...
The Curious Copyright Infringement Case of Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes
The Netflix movie Enola Holmes is based on a series of young adult novels by Nancy Springer, The Enola Holmes Mysteries, published between 2006-2010 by Penguin Random House. The series centers on Sherlock’s teenage sister Enola,...
Parody, Satire, and Fan Fiction: What’s the difference?
Parody, satire, and fan fiction are terms often confused and misused in the writing spheres. But when it comes to copyright law, these three forms of creative expression are treated quite differently. Understanding the...
Using Orphan Works – When A Copyright Owner Is Impossible To Identify Or Locate
Two weeks ago, a reader contacted me about copyright permissions after reading my Derivative Works article. The writer intended to use copyright-protected letters she thought would make a shocking exposé. After attempting to...
How To Use Copyright Protected Images (and not violate copyright laws)
A picture is worth a thousand words, but is it worth a copyright infringement lawsuit? Using images found on-line has become common practice. Photos, graphics, book covers, illustrations, charts — people constantly use images on...
Pre-publication Legal Review Of Manuscripts — Six Things To Consider
One of the most essential steps an author must take prior to publication is to review their manuscript for risk of liability and legally sensitive material, otherwise know as “vetting” the manuscript. Not all books require...
Legal Protection For Fictional Characters – What can writers protect and what can others use?
The Short Answer Copyright laws protect fictional characters provided the characters are sufficiently unique and distinctive. Legal protection for fictional characters is separate from the legal protection extended to the...