Scary Stuff: Copyright Infringement

*shudder*
I just read a legal document shared on Facebook about Kate Walker, author of many many Harlequin novels and 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance being a defendant in an infringement case.
To think that she was accused of copying someone else's work, to me, is ludicrous!

What i got from the legal mumbo-jumbo was basically the accuser's unpublished work had a similar theme or trope as that of Kate Walker's work.
I recently read a fantastic new author's work and thought "hey that sounds a bit like my idea" - our characters are by no means the same, their struggles aren't the same, but my small 10,000 word first draft is about best friends turned lovers which shared the same trope - that's it!

So, similar ideas do not mean copyright infringement - using exact phrases and words as someone else is.

Have a read of the legal document here

And to Kate Walker - thank goodness the case was dismissed!

Copyright

Well i think this is a bit of a touchy subject for writers.

Touchy? Well maybe more of a concern :)

We have some great ideas, we put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and then we send it off to the publishers/agents and then the thought pops into our head - i'm not the only one right?! -

"Oh, my god! What if someone steals my story? Or my idea?"

The truth is that they are more than likely too busy to steal it! And if they have an idea they are just as likely to ask an author on their books to write a story about it.

My friend on her blog Damsel in a Dirty Dress, has done some research on copyright and she has some awesome links if you want to check this out in more detail.

She found these facts which she's kindly let me copy here:

Copyright automatically applies as soon as the work is put in material form – i.e written, performed, broadcast etc including works on an internet site.

Protects all works whether or not the copyright symbol is shown.

Prevents piracy and unauthorised use of works.

Lasts for the lifetime of the author PLUS fifty years from the end of the year of death.

So that is a bit of a relief!