Books for Kids

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Idea Theft!!

What do you do when you think someone has stolen your story ideas? After all, there is a saying that there are only six basic story ideas in the world; so did our own ideas come from one of them? Of course they did.

However, if you write a story from an idea that just seemed to pop into you head, then some time later (and I stress the 'sometime later' point here) find someone has used that idea to create another story somewhat different but still the same basic plot and ending, should it make you mad? Damn right, it should!

Then when you find that same person has used another of your ideas, well, it's downright cheeky in my opinion. People who steal story idea just go to prove they have no imagination. So it begs the question; are all their stories unoriginal? I think it does, there is an old saying 'monkey see, monkey do' and people without original thoughts or idea will always jump on a good one; if they think they can make a buck or two out of them.

Read this excerpt from a news article by Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES — “Pirates of the Caribbean.” “The Matrix.” “The Last Samurai.” “Broken Flowers.” “Amistad.”

Success isn’t all these films have in common. Each was also challenged by a lawsuit claiming “idea theft” — a common Hollywood problem that lawyers say is likely to continue as long as huge movie studios wield enormous power.

But why would movie studios, with every resource at their disposal, steal stories? Are these writers just cranks, frustrated wannabes with delusions of creativity?

No, says attorney John Marder, who specializes in representing aggrieved writers. Many are victims of a system that favors studios and networks and offers little protection for writers and ideas.

“It’s a small group of people that have all the juice, and if you’re not in that crowd, you’re really at their mercy,” he says. “There’s a real lack of moral compass on the issue in Hollywood. And there’s an ego-driven arrogance about it, like how dare you challenge this producer, this director, this studio? They’ll spend $10 million fighting a case where the demand is $100,000.”
 

So, lets go back to the original question. What do you do? Well, unfortunately you can do nothing unless the story is a direct rip-off. By that, I mean, it would be plagiarism if it were your story with just minor changes. If it's just the plot idea; however close to your plot, there is no legal redress.

Nevertheless, you can make a noise. Shout about it from the rooftops, write about it on your blog, and post in writers forums. Just be sure to mention no names or the story in question because you might find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit.

Carol x

16 comments:

  1. A well constructed and written blog, Carol. Showing that certain people do lack imaginative thought even though they put themselves up to be great writers.
    The mark of a great writer to me, is appreciation. Originality counts not twisting somebody else's ideas to your taste.

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  2. Gosh, I hope this didn't happen to you!

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    1. Hmmm...what do you think Elena?

      Carol x

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  4. Unfortunately Carol you can't copyright a story, or a title - sorry. :)

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    1. *sigh* I know Jack, thanks for reading.

      Carol x

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  5. Oh boy! I suppose you should be flattered that your work was worth copying! At least that's one way to look at it, right? Unfortunately, as Indie Authors we don't have a firm of people behind us cracking down on the thieves. I hope you can get some resolution, Carol. We're all rooting for you!

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    1. Thanks for the support Lisa.

      Carol x

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  6. I say, "Shame on you" to those who cannot or will not be their own creative director!

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    1. They have no shame Gwen or they wouldn't do it. Thanks for reading and the support.

      Carol x

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  7. I guess it will continue while some writers have no creative ability or imagination.

    Carol x

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  8. The advantage you have is that you can come up with new work that will be interesting... where they cannot.

    Those antics wither very quickly in the light of the slightest exposure, so this blog and every comment you can reasonably make, are more than just venting - they are crucial to rooting out such problems.

    Also bear in mind that reviews and comments are, by their nature, only opinions. If I were to say that story X seems to me to be a poor shadow of story Y - no action is possible as we are all allowed our opinions.

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Lost-In-Dictator. It's always nice to find new friends. I hope you're right about the withering...lol

      Carol x

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  9. Ah - Carol...it's really bad when someone does this - not only to you but to themselves. You because it is your idea and plot with names changed a few more conflicts thrown in but still your story.

    I went and read it and as I was, I kept thinking, this is where Carol said this and this is where Carol did that.

    I will not be reading any more by that author except maybe I better find if any are my story plots.

    I have the ability to recall stories long after reading as well as recent - I had read a story by a well known Romance writer and four or five books down the line - a certain scene was in again featured. My immediate reaction was hey, that was in such and such. I felt betrayed. Why? Because as a reader with recall, I don't want to read the same over again - too many books, too little time. The same with writing, I hesitate to use the same again because it is a redundancy in writing - and I warn if the story or article appeared elsewhere and/or under another name.

    The upside on this is you are notable enough to be copied and your fan if they should stumble across the copy bird story will know you wrote it first.

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    1. Hi Paula, thanks for reading and commenting on this story. The thought of having fans is nice and I hope I do have a few.

      One of the stories in question was first written about 14 years ago, and appeared in a newsletter at my local women's centre. So, there is plenty of proof that I thought of it first.

      Ah well, cheats never prosper as the saying goes, and I seem to have had a lot more sales since this was brought to life. Maybe I have a guardian angel as well as a few fans...lol

      Carol x

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