Copyright

[wizardmirth]

Hello and thanks all.

 

If I posted a fictional story here (like in Druids Garden) can that effectively serve as any kind of legit copyright?

 

Thanks!

[Thandal]

@wizardsmith; IANAL, but in the US, yes. The means of publication doesn't matter. And copyright extends automatically, you don't even have to put the words " © date" into the work, or send it to some special office. I know less about other countries rules, but I believe the Berne Convention, (to which most countries are signatories) has similar provisions regarding automatic protections upon publication.

[wizardmirth]

Sorry for the delayed response and thanks again, Thandal, but what is the meaning of "wizardsmith"? Is that just a typo?

 

It's just that I noticed that happened at least once before.

 

Reason for my asking the original question: I am considering where to publish a new short-short of mine. Not for money mind you, but if its any good I just would like to know if I have any legal protection here.

[Lisnpuppy]

Sorry for the delayed response and thanks again, Thandal, but what is the meaning of "wizardsmith"? Is that just a typo?

 

It's just that I noticed that happened at least once before.

 

Reason for my asking the original question: I am considering where to publish a new short-short of mine. Not for money mind you, but if its any good I just would like to know if I have any legal protection here.

 

 

Though of course I do not speak for the Nexus nor am I a copyright attorney, this is the understanding I have of this matter. Please do not consider it as legal advice nor representation of the Nexus nor anyone else.

 

What do you mean "legal protection here" exactly?

 

Of course the Nexus will moderate itself and your short (with the clear permissions for use or not I hope would be attached.) Any use of this without permission HERE will be moderated. Of course your short would be dated and time stamped as it was uploaded. The Nexus can not moderate beyond its own site.

 

However you have legal protection under the law (In the US and most likely the same in the UK where this site is located.) Here is a link to to US Government Copyright Office. http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html As you can read the copyright of a work exists:

 

When is my work protected?

Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

 

However the responsibility of protecting your copyright rights are yours. The government lines out what needs to happen and what is protected. If someone takes your short and sells it and it is played for money (thought money is not relevant to the copyright) it is up to you (and/or your attorney) to go defend it in court or whatever. The Nexus is only going to protect your work on this site as this is where their responsibility and I assume legal rights end. That is all they can do other than perhaps showing proof of your upload date. The copyright however would begin the moment you created it in some tangible format.

[DoctorKaizeld]

also if it is uploaded without permission you can file a takedown notice whether it was for nonprofit or not. it doesnt matter if they credit you unless you give express permission no one has the legal right to do anything with your work other then look at it or adjust it for their personel use. (example i own a book and choose to write in the margins or add missing punctuation is legal, selling a reprinted copy with my changes is not... oh and dont worry i am not a heathen who would dare write in the margins of my books)

[Thandal]

@wizardmirth; Yes, "wizardsmith" was, indeed, a typo. Sorry. :sad:

 

As for your question, I think it's been adequately answered in the affirmative; the original author is the one with the copyright. (if the work is eligible for copyright at all.) Publishing a work here is simply an author's choice.

 

And just to remind everyone where the Nexus stands in this, I quote the Terms of Service:

 

Nexus Mods does not claim ownership of the content you provide to the Nexus or post, upload, input or submit on any Nexus site or its associated services for review by the general public, or by the members of any public or private community.

 

Your work is your work. We're just a distribution channel. :thumbsup:

[wizardmirth]

Okay no problem, Thandal, and thank you again. After some more thought I will probably go with a reviews site for the one I had in mind. But it is still good to know for anything game-related I might still do.