creative writing; EN World; legalities.

[Aus_Snow]

Hi metapeople,

This is being written because my post in the appropriate thread received 0 replies. OK, that's fair enough (I suppose?), but I still need an answer to the same basic question.

I just need to know the copyright and other legal aspects of the whole Irom DM thing on EN World.

In the short term, it's the 'kiln-fired' variety I'm wondering about, as I'd like to have a go at it.

Also, if there was anything grievously wrong with my post in the Story Hour forum, or if there is anything wrong with this one, just let me know, please. Of course, I realise it might simply have been missed by the relevant parties.

Anyway, looking forward to finding out these important details, and hopefully writing something entertaining or even worthwhile on this site.

 

[orchid blossom]

I assume you meant Ceramic DM in your post, since you were referring to the Kiln-fired thread.

I would guess you didn't get any replies for a couple reasons. 1) The story hour forum being what it is, most people just open the ones they read and that's it. Plus, the kiln-fired thread has always been very slow.

2) Probably no one really knows the answers to your question. There is a sticky thread in General Discussion right now where Ceramic DM stories are being complied for a PDF, and some of the legality issues are there, but not with a lot of answers.

Do you want to know if you would retain rights to your stories? Or what the legalities are as for as copyright on the pictures used?

If I had the answers for you, I'd give them, but I just don't know. I've written in the Ceramic DM contest, but it's for fun with no thought of using the stories past the contest, so I haven't worried about it.

 

[Cheiromancer]

It might help if you make your question more specific. Just saying "the copyright and other legal aspects of the whole Irom DM thing on EN World" is awfully vague.

 

[BSF]

I don't receive notifications for new posts in Kiln-Fired Ceramic DM. I think you would be a bit better off posting in the Ceramid DM FAQ for Fiction thread. That being said, here is Aus_Snow's query.

So let's say I got bold all of a sudden and posted a story based on some pictures from Ceramic DM (post-judgement) - then what about copyright and all that stuff?

I'm sorely tempted, but I really need to know the legalese first.

First off, it is a public message board. Feel free to post if you would like!

Regarding copyright, I believe you retain all copyrights for anything you have written. Of course if you want true legal advice, consult a real lawyer.

There are folks that have reworked Ceramic DM stories and submitted them to publishers. Zhaneel comes to mind in this regard. However, some publishers may be leery of accepting works that have already been 'published' and they may consider message board postings as 'published'.

You cannot use the pictures in your story for any sort of profit without permission of the artist. Whether it is a photo, or a print, or whatever.

Does that give you something to start with? As I said, you might post in the FAQ thread and see if you receive a wider response. Heck, you could even post in the current Ceramic DM contest thread. Don't be shy. Stop in and say 'Hi'. Join the next contest and have some fun.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Well first of all, make that 'Ceramic DM', not 'Iron DM', let alone "Irom DM"!

Thanks for the info there.

I'm not a professional writer, and in fact I haven't written much of anything for a long time. So anyway, I got a bit spooked the other day when a friend of mine, who *is* an actual writer - like published 'n all that - started talking about the industry. That was all fine and dandy until she told me how easily your work on the 'net can get taken and used elsewhere - without your knowledge or permission, that is.

Seems like there's nothing to worry about here, though. Nice to know. Please excuse the unnecessary paranoia.

 

[jgbrowning]

It's not unnecessary paranoia, it's realistic paranoia. Before posting assume anything you say can be stolen from you and used by someone else. Are you willing to go to court to fight for your ideas? If you have an idea that's precious to you, don't talk about it in a public forum.

However, most of what ANYONE says is worthless to begin with. Me included. Or perhaps, me especially.

joe b.