Another Copyright Question

[Ophelia]

I write short stories on occasion, and two of GL's, "Home From The Forest" and "Now and Then," have given me ideas for new ones. But I wonder about copyright infringement? Does anyone know? Thanks! :)

[Auburn Annie]

If they've just given you ideas, no problem. There are only so many basic plots to choose from - see http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/plotFARQ.html for specific kinds.

The only copyright issue I can think of with Gord's songs are either using the music itself, or more than a few words of any lyrics; then you'd need permission. Even titles can be used. You wouldn't believe, for example, how many books have the exact same title but there's no copyright violation. The English language only has so many words to be used in so many combinations.

[The Rez]

Annie's counsel is true. A title cannot be copyrighted. If you wished to write a song called "Satisfaction" you could. In other words, the body of the work is what counts when it comes to infringement or, as the NY Times knows well now, plagerism.

I, personally, adore short stories. And, as you know, they are quite hard to write. Each word matters more than in a Tolstoy length novel.

You can also use a quote, if it is correctly attributed in footnotes. As in tunes, there is a limit to how much of a quote you may use w/o either permission or a fee to the copyright holder. In music, that has grown from seven notes to a full eight bars. Likely, literarly guidelines have become more lenient, also.

But, truly, I don't know regarding the written word as weel as I do with the song package. I do have a very close friend who extremely well versed in that subject, as that is her living. I'll contact her and see if I can get a more precise reply. Acctually, I can't even spell precise.

The Rez