Copyright and Rita Skeeter

[o_caipora]

No: HPFGUIDX 83267

"Matt" <hpfanmatt at g...> wrote:
 
> This is getting a bit off-topic, but the typical
> arrangement for publication in a periodical --
> at least by a correspondent such as Rita -- is
> a license for publication in that particular 
> issue, not a sale of the copyright or a work-
> for-hire relationship. 

An interesting discussion of electronic reprint can be found on the 
site of the Science Fiction Writers of America, at 
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/electronic.html
The URL says most of it right there.

> As a result, Sue (post #83035) is correct in
> suggesting that the Quibbler would not (again
> applying RW custom and legal principles) have 
> the right to relicense for publication in a 
> different periodical. 

Judging from the Quibbler's jornalistic principles, it's possible 
that its contract is not entirely fair to authors, retaining all 
possible rights. 

Entirely irrevantly, one of the Quibbler's real-life equivalents, 
the "Weekly World News", used to have as an employment test supplying 
a headline (e.g. "Elvis in love nest with Bigfoot"), with the 
applicant to pen an artile that fit. I believe "The Onion" is 
actually produced that way: headlines are approved and articles then 
written. 

> Caipora, your experience may be different if 
> you made a work for hire or sold your entire 
> copyright.  Or, alternatively, maybe you should 
> be asking your licensee for compensation for 
> those Internet pieces.... :)

Op-ed pieces are done for prestige or to push a viewpoint, the 
payment being token. So one wants them reproduced, the more widely 
the better. I also had one Internet piece pirated and published in a 
magazine. Same principle applies, though. :)

 - Caipora