copyright issues

1. copyright issues

   #1

   I'm currently working on a NPC submission based on a made-over from a character in an online Chinese novel that was abandoned. On the most part, this shouldn't infringe on copyright because I've substantially changed the character personality and his relationship dynamics with the other characters (as well as the personality of the other characters). However, there might be a problem cos I'm writing a blockquote that is basically short fiction on particular scenes of character interactions that involve the setting of the original work in form. In particular, there're the following 2 issues relating to this blockquote and copyright: a) given the length of the blockquote I'm planning (sort of 1 major scene and over a little), I don't think I will be delving into much specifics so it's gonna be showcasing the setting in its most broad sketches i.e. won't show much difference between what I write about the setting and how it is in the original work; b) this really started cos that online novel was abandoned by the original author and b/c it chimed with me one day I suddenly got the idea in my head to finish up the novel. Long story short, I abandoned this attempt but I'm still left with a bunch of characters that I had made over from the abandoned novel that are pretty much 'my own' and a setting with a lot more nuances but still pretty much the same as the original work.
   
   
   Clarification: I'm not reusing any text directly from the original work and I have different character dynamics. What is almost the same between what I would put in the blockquote and the original work is certain events/plots.
   
   I'm going to make due acknowledgements in my sub. but I just want to know about the Citadel's feeling on me posting such a sub.

2. Re: copyright issues

   #2

   So long as you don't reuse someone else's text or trademarks, you are probably okay, but I have 0 knowledge on Chinese Law (copyright). 

3. Re: copyright issues

   #3

   Val, can you see the actual votes up there? This poll is set to private i.e only forum admin can see the results, and I somehow can't change settings so that it shows results to everyone. Fixed by Muro
   
   I'm not re-using any text per se but just wanted to know abt Citadel attitude on this semi-derivative work thingy that I had concocted.
   
   For the record, currently got 3 votes for carrying on as normal.

4. Re: copyright issues

   #4

   My 2 cents: use the copywritten work in the very begining of the piece as a very long quote, but honestly as long as you are going to give credit ,I feel you can do it any way you want.

5. Re: copyright issues

   #5

   Yep, that's what I'm doing, Aramax. Thanks for the vote.

6. Re: copyright issues

   #6

   Normaly when people go to the lengths you have gone, they are feeling guilt and are looking for valadation and to relieve said guilt.
   Id like to state STRONGLY that you are on an ok path and shut down the poll. You are being WAY oversensitive about this and have NOTHING to be concerned with. The Fair use of US copywright covers this. PLEASE go ahead and do the piece that is burning in your creative soul. Somebody is going to have a problem with it. Let THEM deal with it.

7. Re: copyright issues

   #7

   I'm going ahead with it, no worries on that aspect, but I've always been an overly cautious person and hate conflicts in general . I just don't want to put up the piece with due credits and later still have someone come to me and say but this is not 100% original work and please take it off the site. I'm a mild tempered person normally but I think I would be quite cut in that situation so this is my pre-empting/preventative measure against it.

8. Re: copyright issues

   #8

   Fan fiction basically?
   
   Cite the source and follow your creative juices and don't worry about it.

9. Re: copyright issues

   #9

   Right, I usually think of fan fic as taking a setting from the original work as is and developing stories out of side casts but I guess taking a setting, adapting it slightly and remaking characters also fall under the same umbrella.
   Strolen, you think a note would be sufficient or do you want me to put up a link to the original work? but it's on a Chinese site so 90% of Strolenati wouldn't know what the hell I put up.

10. Re: copyright issues

    #10

    A link back, to me, is the sensible thing even if we don't understand it.

11. Re: copyright issues

    #11

    Copy that, will add.

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