A question regarding copyright infringement.

[DoctorObviously]

While I was writing, I was struck by a very haunting question: "What if someone else, someone quite unknown, has writting almost the exact same book like I did?" So, how DO I know my book/movie/artwork/etc... is something quite original (it doesn't have to be 100% original) and not stolen? See, I don't want to be punished for a crime I didn't knew I was commiting.

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

That's no way to live. Be a man, get sued by somebody. It's the American Way.

 

[Rakkana]

It's just likely that the publishers won't take it.

 

[wasalp]

the only time this can be an actual problem is if your book becomes popular.

 

[The Procrastinated End]

You take it the a publisher (or wherever you want to take it) and they'll be sure to tell you if theres another book like yours.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

I wouldn't worry too much. The truth is that many stories have been told again and again so many times that the reason we read them again is to experience their presentation. Unless you're blatantly ripping off someone else's book, and by that I mean just going through and changing up the wording to their plot, then you shouldn't have to worry too much.

 

[skitzo van]

Well maybe your the reincarnation of Alexander Graham Bell. So just publish it

 

[Anarchemitis]

I thought of that a while ago once. Truth is the System believes in first-come first-serve, so even if two people have identical ideas by entire coincidence, the first person to get it copyrighted is the Original author by Law, and the other guy is a rip-off by Convention, even though in reality they both conceived the idea at the same time.

 

[Queen Michael]

I came up with the premise for the Discworld book Night Watch on my own, and then learned that this excellent book had already done it a lot better than I ever could, so I see your point. But it's very hard to copy a book so much that it becomes a problem, especially unintentionally.

 

[Kif]

They have to be the same to a measurable degree, I can't remember how it's measured but it's a pretty flimsy case if they can't measure the points where it's the same.

 

[Blueruler182]

Nothing hasn't been written before. The only ones likely to sue are the ones who have big names, and if you rip them off I'm assuming it's deliberate.

 

[JSDodd]

That's no way to live. Be a man, get sued by somebody. It's the American Way.

What he said

 

[Kagim]

You shouldn't worry.

When you get a book published generally the publisher is the one more at risk fro ma law suit then you are. So upon considering publishing your book they will research and make sure that publishing your book will not result in a law suit.

Also note that when it comes to literary works its really damn hard to prove copyright unless you are blatantly ripping sentences out of the other persons book.

Chances are even if you write a book with the exact same premise and idea. There will still be enough key differences that the worst you will face is die hard fans of the other book saying your a rip off.

 

[Matt_LRR]

For the record: this kind of thing seems to happen pretty regularly in the music industry, and often without any real intent to infringe.

Typically the publisher just settles with the copyright holder, in exchange for retaining the rights to continue publishing the infringing work.

The benefit to the publisher of continuing to sell the work outweighs the cost of just paying off the claimant.

-m

 

[Ken Sapp]

Submit for copyright as soon as possible. between the copyright office and the publishers you should be able to find out pretty quickly whether or not you may be "infringing" someone elses' copyright.