h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've started a thread over at the community soapbox (http://www.h2g2.com/F55683?thread=83317&post=662208) to discuss the potential impact on a writer's copyright of posting material here. If anyone has any thoughts on that, I'd be pleased to hear them (it's probably best to centralise it all over there). PF

As a result of the discussion over there, I would propose that this page should include text to the effect that "Contributors are advised that publishing original material on h2g2 may affect their chances of being able to market it in other forms. If that is your intention, please take legal advice before posting it here - or, safer still, don't post it at all."
PF

Thanks for your comments;

I shouldn't worry too much about the copyright issues, though. It is clearly stated in the terms and conditions that the copyright of all material that researchers put on h2g2 belongs jointly to h2g2 and yourself. ie. if you wanted to publish it in another form, maybe for your own profit, then you'd be free to do so with no ties to h2g2, as long as it's just your own material.

However, once you have put it on h2g2, they have the right to publish it in whatever form they like; as long as they credit you. And through personal contact with the Towers I know that they mean no harm - I'm absolutely certain that they would not publish it in a profit making form without checking with you that it's OK first.

This is my understanding of the system; if you've come across something to the contrary then I'd like to know.

I've read the thread you mentioned now and understand what you're getting at

I think I'll add a comment to the page about exclusive rights. However, this page was really created to encourage beginners, not to publish established writer's work (although they're welcome to do so). People can put their writings here for constructive critisism by the community.

If you're planning to publish something, then I imagine that it is of decent enough standard to not really need critisism by a bunch of amateurs. If you want it proof-read, then I'm sure real life friends will do the honours.

Bluebottle had the same dilemma as you have brought up, and this was his solution: He put the first chapter of his story on site, and withheld the rest. It's called 'The Last Comic Kid' and I think it's still up. It actually works quite well as a short story in its own right, but with most books I imagine the first chapter would cut off more abruptly and therefore give the reader a good idea of the style and ability of the writer, without giving away the plot or losing exclusive rights on the whole book.

I'll think of something to put on the page, how about:

If you think that you may publish your material elsewhere, bear in mind that if you have put it on h2g2 you will no longer own exclusive rights to the material. This means that it may be more difficult to sell.

Hi Peregrin,

Sorry about the delay in replying - I was incommunicado. I think your suggested wording would be great.

As for distinguishing between aspiring amateur and published professional: everyone who ends up as the latter starts as the former - and I think this site and this page could be a stepping stone for them. I don't want to discourage others from publishing here - but all I'll put up are what I'd call "scales" - practice pieces I do to keep my writing muscles limbered up

One of those should be coming shortly...

PF

I've added the copyright bit at the bottom of the page with a link to what the Towers have to say on the issue.

I look forward to your scales!

Another thing I want to do around this time is figure out a way of reviving interest in h2g2 Fiction. We've got the weekly story in the Post, but that hasn't generated as many visitors/comments/contributors as I expected.

Did you know you do not have exclusivity to your username ?

Did you know others on-site can readily copy ALL the information on your homepage, guide entries and journals ? Indeed, the editors have a facility whereby they actively encourage it.

Someone else can effectively set themselves up as you and go around besmirching your good name if they so desire under the current site policy, and because the site holds copyright over EVERYTHING you have ever posted from approved guide entries, user guide entries, journals, forums, your username to your homepage. You have no substantive grounds to complain…

Did you know if you use some of your ideas developed here off-site you run the risk of being sued for breach of copyright ?

Did you know that the 'non-exclusive' copyright they you may have thought protected your copyright rights, in fact means that no other potential publisher is likely to accept your work because most only accept material which they can have 'exclusive' copyright over ?

So if you wish to some day use some of your ideas generated here you effectively have to think years ahead. Otherwise you might end up like Douglas Adams who has some of his Doctor Who material in a state of limbo because he re-interrupted some of the ideas in later work.

Did you know the editors have the right to sell your material in any form whatsoever ?

The fact is they have to right to use your material in any form they desire. In the terms they have the ability to 'modify' your work. Meaning you could well be misrepresented as a matter of course without an effective method to complain. In fact, the H2G2 copyright holders have the ability to make money off your works long after you are gone.

Did you know the editors reserve the right to change site policy ?

The fact is at any time the editors can effectively ban you by making up whatever rules they so desire to exclude you, you have no recourse whatsoever.

Did you know that homepages, forums and journals are widely available elsewhere on the web absolutely free of charge and without such restrictive copyright clauses ?

The simple fact is that H2G2 operates on the goodwill the works of Douglas Adam's creates. There are many other communities on the web that don't place such all pervasive restrictions upon your work.

Did you know there are many places on the web who value your hard work and creative skills ?

The fact is that if you look hard enough, there are organisations on the web that will pay you for your research and writing skills, even if you fall into the amateur class.

SO, IN SUMMING UP…

Why don't you have any rights ?

Because you were never asked, or included in the process. So they set the criteria solely for there own exclusive benefit.

What's in it for me you may well ask ?

At the moment, kudos of writing for the guide… and stuff you would get elsewhere for nothing anyway.

All is not lost however, you do have some power. The power of numbers.

Please make sure you sign the 'Right to Have Rights Petition over at…

http://www.h2g2.com/A469578

…and see if we can change the guide for the benefit of all.

Thankyou.
M.K*

Er... that all sounds a bit paranoiac to me. You make it sound like we're paying for the services h2g2 give to us, which we're not. As far as I can tell from the terms and conditions, we have perfectly acceptable rights. And demanding more than that is nothing less than obnoxious, and rather insulting to h2g2 ltd.
If you're planning to publish your material elsewhere... why are you putting it on h2g2 in the first place? Why do you think you should have more rights than anywhere else on the internet?

And as regards to your username, do you want to copyright that as well???? You don't have exclusitivity to your real name, so why should you to your h2g2 name?