Thank you to our Writer’s Fun Zone Guest Writers of 2018
As part of my wrap up for 2018, I want to thank all my Writer’s Fun Zone guest writers for past year. Thank you! Thank you for your sharing your passion with us! I’ve...
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For the term "Kelley Way".
Count Your Blessings: Celebrate Your Accomplishments
Many authors live in the future, in a time when their stories are written and readers are clamoring for more, or for a time when you have already written and are enjoying the fruits of your labor. I know I fall into this category. LOL
Licensing for Authors
You know you’ve hit it big when someone approaches you, asking for a license to use your work. And you also know (or at least you should, if you’ve been reading my articles) that if you’re borrowing heavily from someone else’s work, you should really get a license from them if you don’t want a cease and desist letter from their lawyer. Those are not pretty. Even if they’re polite, they still use scary words like “lawsuit” and “infringement.”
Using Real People in Stories: Part 3 of 3, By A Copyright Law Attorney
In Parts 1 and 2, we covered defamation and privacy rights, and how they applied to literary law. Today we turn to the right of publicity, which is a favorite among celebrities.
Using Real People in Stories, Part 2 of 3, By A Copyright Law Attorney
In my last article, we talked about defamation and how to avoid a defamation suit. While it’s important to know, it’s not likely to come up unless you actually lied and used the person’s name. In most cases, the average citizen will sue on the basis of violation of the right of priacy.
Using Real People in Stories – Part 1
One of the more frequent questions I am asked is whether an author can use a person’s name, life story, or attributes in his or her novel. It’s a thorny issue, which is not surprising when a person’s reputation, privacy, and/or identity is involved. To make matters worse, there are few, if any, federal laws on this subject, so what claims an angry plaintiff can pursue, and the nature of those claims, will vary from state to state.
How to Register a Copyright
I’ve been asked several times to help someone register his or her copyright. At the risk of inciting the wrath of my fellow copyright attorneys, I’ll put in print what I’ve told these people: while I’m happy to do so, you don’t need an attorney to file a copyright.
Copyright Protection for Fictional Characters
Welcome to the monthly series on artist entrepreneurship. Today we focus on copyright protection for fictional characters from our monthly guest columnist, Kelley Way, a lawyer specializing in literary law and other aspects of...
5 Legal Mistakes Authors Often Make
Welcome to the monthly series on artist entrepreneurship. Today we focus on 5 mistakes writers and story tellers make using criminal law in their stories — from our monthly guest columnist, Kelley Way, a lawyer specializing in literary law...
What is Copyright?
Welcome to the monthly series on artist entrepreneurship. Today we focus on writers and literary law specifically and on an important issue to be aware of in today’s world — what does copyright mean and...
What is Trademark?
Welcome to the monthly series on artist entrepreneurship. Today we focus on writers and literary law specifically and on an important issue to be aware of in today’s world — what is trademark and...
The Perils of Internet Posting
Welcome to the semi-regular series on artist entrepreneurship. Today we focus on writers specifically and on an important issue to be aware of in today’s electronic world — what you can or cannot post...
Top 10 Things Authors Need to Know About Contracts
The day has finally dawned! After all your hard work and endless rounds of submissions, you have a publisher that wants to publish your book. But when the publisher hands you the contract, should you just sign on the dotted line, or should you look it over first? If you did look it over, what would you be looking for?
Turn Your Writing Hobby into a Side Business by Linnea Gradin
Let’s welcome back Linnea Gradin as she shares with us “Turn Your Writing Hobby into a Side Business.” Enjoy! *** As an aspiring novelist, it sometimes seems impossible to find time to write, let...
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