Lucas Torpedoes STAR WARS Expanded Universe

[Space Commander]

Do you have any way of dating your original idea?

I'm not sure if the files are electronically date-stamped or not... I'd have to look at the disc again. Who knows? But I've DEFINATELY got the letter from Garrick "Biggs" Hagon saying that he enjoyed reading it. THAT has a date on it.

However, everyone I've spoken to about this has said that, as the licence holder, Dark Horse would DEMOLISH me in a Court of Law, so maybe I'd better stick to writing other stuff!


SPACE COMMANDER

[The Baron]

I'm no expert, but isn't this the whole point of copyright law? If you have dated evidence of your idea prior to their printed publication, combined with a return letter from the same company, you could probably sue Lucas himself.

[SteveD]

you could probably sue Lucas himself.

Should we? For a laugh?

[The Baron]

You're our legal rep., man. Go for it.

We'll also sue him for nicking the bottom of the SatDef for his Aluminium Falcon.

[Sundance]

generally, this is why company's don't accept unsolicited storyline ideas and why any talk of plots beyond 'i'd like to see a Romulan series' is banned on the trekBBS' books forum*. avoidance of similar ideas being used and potential lawsuits.

*the TrekBBS lit forum has several authors as members, you can say general stuff like the above example, or 'i'd like to see a novel done which explores why the Romulans gained bumpy foreheads in TNG', but you can't get into details like 'they should do a story explaining how the Romulans got bumpy foreheads and tie it into the explanation of bumpy vs smooth forehead Klingons that was shown on Enterprise'.

[Lady Jaye]

It is not illegal to use somebody else's idea if it is not protected. It is highly unethical, but not illegal.

There is not much you can do if you have not copyrighted it officially. If the story is not 100% identical, it is not very likely to be copied. Finally, they can always say it is coincidence. And since this has been a while ago, consider the ods of you winning very small.

I am a master in design & marketing communications, so I have dealt with issues "was this mine idea or yours" more than once. My professor taught me at university: if you have a brilliant idea and have no funds to copyright it officially, put the in a sturdy envelope that you can only open by ripping it, seal it and send it to yourself by registered mail. That way you will have at least some sort of proof in case sh*t hits the fan. Even this method is not foul proof, but at least it will give you something to slap with in court.

[Space Commander]

It's cool guys, I've been over all this before. And I'd like to remind everyone that this all happened before the internet was in everyone's homes ! I sent it to Dark Horse because I knew they had the copyright which I couldn't get; they stood a greater chance of getting it in print than I did. I was quite young when I wrote it and simply didn't have access to the kind of information that we all take for granted now. It's cool.


SPACE COMMANDER

[SteveD]

My professor taught me at university: if you have a brilliant idea and have no funds to copyright it officially, put the in a sturdy envelope that you can only open by ripping it, seal it and send it to yourself by registered mail. That way you will have at least some sort of proof in case sh*t hits the fan. Even this method is not foul proof, but at least it will give you something to slap with in court.

I believe lots of authors and the like still do that these days too. Amongst other things.

[Space Commander]

Nevermind old stories, Steve! Go home and read something NEW! (hint hint)






SPACE COMMANDER