What do other writers think?

[SexyChele]

Let's say that you write a story or poem to another person. The story or poem is your work, but your intent is that this work is private - only to be shared with that individual. Now, let's say that individual, who also happens to be a member of Literotica, turns around and submits your private work to them to Literotica for publication. They do this without your prior knowledge or approval. Then, when the work is published, they notify you that your work, which you intended to be private, has now been published. Also, they have included your real name on the submission (within the submission, the submission is copywrited to them), which is something that you do not want known.

Is this ethical? Acceptable? The chances you take when submitting work privately to other individuals? Should the work be taken down? Or should the name simply be removed? Is this a form of plagerism?

Really interested in hearing what other writers might have to say on this type of situation.

 

[TheEarl]

It is an infringement of intellectual copyright. You wrote the piece and no-one else can publish it without your expressly granted permission. I think that you could also sue for defamation: the impugning of your real name.

Aside from the legalities, has anyone actually done that to you? What a bastard! That's a horrible thing to do. I've written a story fro another Lit member privately and I'd very much hop that she'd have the manners to ask if I wanted it published, if indeed she didn't want to keep it just between the two of us.

The Earl

 

[christo]

What a tangled web we weave. If you write a story, it's your intellectual property. If you show it to someone else, they don't have the right to publish it themselves. They also wouldn't hold the copywright, especially if they published it under the author's name.

If the author contacted Laurel and gave her the skinny on the situation, I'm sure she'd pull the story. The author could get a lawyer to sue the story-stealer, but I don't know many attorney's eager to take on a case of plagerized porn. Perhaps a kick to the groin would be appropriate, or sugar in the gas tank.

 

[wildsweetone]

thoughts and mixed at that...

a) was your name and the copywrite(sp) trademark sign on the story anywhere? perhaps it should be next time.

b) think very seriously about the possible reasons for them submitting your work. perhaps it was excellent writing - a highly possible thought were you reluctant to share it? perhaps they believed that others could read it without knowing the details behind it's conception.

c) have you told your friend you are upset with their action?

d) have you told Laurel? is Laurel allowed to publish something written by another author, yet received from another?

wildsweetone (in case it forgets who i am )

 

[SexyChele]

It is an infringement of intellectual copyright. You wrote the piece and no-one else can publish it without your expressly granted permission. I think that you could also sue for defamation: the impugning of your real name.

Aside from the legalities, has anyone actually done that to you? What a bastard! That's a horrible thing to do. I've written a story fro another Lit member privately and I'd very much hop that she'd have the manners to ask if I wanted it published, if indeed she didn't want to keep it just between the two of us.

The Earl

No, this has not happened to me, but it has happened to another Literotica member who is quite upset by it. I do believe that by including the true author's name ("Written by: ___________) within the text of the submission, the person who posted the material felt they were covering themselves.

I have asked Laurel for clarification on this, as I had presumed that Literotica only accepted work that the author had themselves written. Perhaps I am wrong? I would expect this could leave wide open an entire nest of problems if others caught on this. I mean, a married man who writes something privately to a woman he has the hots for, and when she discovers he is married, turns around and posts it, then emails the guy's wife? Criminey, the problems one could cause for other people if we are allowed to post whatever items we feel we want to! I do believe in free speech, yes, but I can't think this is what Literotica had in mind.

Oops, running on again - sorry!

 

[SexyChele]

thoughts and mixed at that...

a) was your name and the copywrite(sp) trademark sign on the story anywhere? perhaps it should be next time.

b) think very seriously about the possible reasons for them submitting your work. perhaps it was excellent writing - a highly possible thought were you reluctant to share it? perhaps they believed that others could read it without knowing the details behind it's conception.

c) have you told your friend you are upset with their action?

d) have you told Laurel? is Laurel allowed to publish something written by another author, yet received from another?

wildsweetone (in case it forgets who i am )

We cross-posted, but just to answer your questions:

a) It was not work that I did. The name under which the work is copyrighted is the person who submitted the work, not the author.

b) It is a very well written piece of work. But then, I admire this person's writing anyway! I'm sure the intentions were honorable, and meant to build up the author. But the appropriate thing to do, in my opinion, is to encourage the author to post the piece themselves - not to submit the work and then notify the author once the piece is already posted.

c) My friend is the one who has told me (and several others) they are upset by this action.

d) I have PM'd Laurel to have her clarify what Literotica's stance is on a situation such as this. I hope she responds one way or the other.

 

[TheEarl]

Reminds me of the case in the English papers of that girl who exchanged sexy e-mails with her boyfriend only for them to be forwarded all over the internet after he shared them with his mates and they shared them with their mates, etc.

"Mmm, your sperm tastes yummy" was the most famous quote I believe.

The Earl

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Chele,

I think relying on editors here to stop people from posting other authors' stories should be the very last resort.

Your first line of security is your own sense. You don't start saying intimate things to someone unless you already know them well enough to trust them fairly well. And you certainly don't sign your real name to them unless you are quite positive about this person's discretion and common sense. Even then I think you use common sense and don't give anyone potentially embarrassing or compromising information.

At best the poster in this case was a stupid fool, at worst they were a malicious and dangerous betrayer manipulator.

---dr.M.

 

[SexyChele]

Chele,

I think relying on editors here to stop people from posting other authors' stories should be the very last resort.

Your first line of security is your own sense. You don't start saying intimate things to someone unless you already know them well enough to trust them fairly well. And you certainly don't sign your real name to them unless you are quite positive about this person's discretion and common sense. Even then I think you use common sense and don't give anyone potentially embarrassing or compromising information.

At best the poster in this case was a stupid fool, at worst they were a malicious and dangerous betrayer manipulator.

---dr.M.

Wise words that I think we all should adhere to, Dr. M. I agree with every word.

However, in an effort not to villanize anyone, I do believe the person in question believed they were acting out of good intentions and meant no harm to the original author.

As it stands, Laurel has clarified to me that only work written by the person submitting is accepted, according to Literotica's standards. The physical damage has been fixed. The emotional ramifications go much deeper.

Thanks all who responded, I do appreciate it!

 

[TheEarl]

I've been burned online once before and I'm definitely twice shy. Only one person on this entire board knows my first name and that's only because I know definitely that she isn't anyone I could possibly know. And even she doesn't know my full name.

Paranoid? Probably. But if just one person chose to fuck me over online again, then it would devastate me. So I make sure that no-one can. Anonymity is beautiful, don't you htink?

The Earl

 

[wildsweetone]

I've been burned online once before and I'm definitely twice shy. Only one person on this entire board knows my first name and that's only because I know definitely that she isn't anyone I could possibly know. And even she doesn't know my full name.

Paranoid? Probably. But if just one person chose to fuck me over online again, then it would devastate me. So I make sure that no-one can. Anonymity is beautiful, don't you htink?

The Earl

darn i'm devastated! you mean to say you're not really The Earl?

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Either the poster was henious, or utterly stupid and rude.

If someone should do so to some of my work I would be quite upset, as they are basically posting my "love letters" to them for the world at large to see.