Archive for copyright
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Diane
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Protecting your intellectual property is a big deal these days.
Master copywriter John Forde, whose email newsletter is always worth reading, wrote an article about plagiarism I’d like to share. While he’s speaking to copywriters (those who write persuasively, to sell), what he shares is very applicable to authors of content in general.
Take it away, John! (Oh, and let me add this: John said I could use this with his blessing, as long as I tell people to go on over to The Copywriter’s Roundtable to get $78 worth of free gifts. Which I’m happy to do!)
Warning: You Might Be a Copy Thief And Not Even Know It
by John Forde
“Good writers borrow.
Great writers steal.”
- Oscar Wilde… er… Mark Twain… uh
Are you a copy thief?
Forgive what sounds like an accusation … but there’s a chance you might be and not
even realize it. Read More→
Posted by:
Diane
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Got a great question from Chris Marlow about copyright. (Important notes: You can only copyright your particular expression of your ideas, not the ideas themselves. You can’t copyright titles, oddly enough, but you can possibly trademark them.)
Chris mentioned that her students add “all rights reserved” to their copyright notices. Is that necessary, or redundant?
Well, both.
Any time you create a work, it is Read More→
Posted by:
Diane
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The questions have been pouring in for Publishing Coach Weekly! (Get the call-in information and ask your question up here.)
Here’s a question recently asked by Loretta:
“As a first time published author, is it possible to get an approval from another author to use their quote in your book, or is it best to avoid quoting other sources on the first try?”
Yes, it is quite possible, but it depends on how extensively you are quoting the person. Read this article on the interpretation of fair use of other people’s works.
Once you determine whether your quoted material falls into “fair use,” the next step is to contact the author. Most authors would be very happy that you found their work important enough to quote, and are glad for the extra exposure.
I’m assuming, of course, that you will be giving full credit to the author (name, name of the work from which you’re quoting, publishing info such as who published the book, and date).
One of the keys of “fair use” standards is
Read More→
