Not sure if there’s information about this somewhere on the site, but if someone was interested in adding new chapters for a long abandoned story, do those stories still have copyright claims and therefore cannot be touched at all?
I’m particularly interested with Man of the Mind’s “The Master’s Collection” which according to GSS has been copyrighted since 2014.
I have seen other authors adapt stories in the past like Hypnothrill for example back in their early years of posting so I’m wondering what exactly are the rules for this…
I don’t know the legalities, but it would be best to get permission to continue or write an ‘inspired by’ story ending. Unless the story is marked ‘community story’ which allows anyone to edit and add, wiki-like, it is best to get permission and give credit before using someone else’s ideas.
Again, this is an etiquette answer, not a legal one, but it is a nice show of respect to get permission.
It’s not a question of copyright, for me it’s just being discourteous to piggyback on another writer’s story. I remember someone did a series of continuations of my ‘campus blog journals’ without asking me if would be all right to “add” on to it. Needless to say, I was more than annoyed and demanded it be taken down.
Of course, you can’t play cop on the street with regard to your stories. In essence, you just hope that the readers that enjoy them don’t disrespect you by trying to latch onto it with their own “continued tales“.
That said, if a story inspired someone to write something in a similar vein, then that’s totally fine with me. Provided they’re not using my characters.
If you know an author is dead, and you clearly label your story an homage, then my objections would be less.
I think this. You should reach out. If they say no, dont
If it’s an abandoned story with an abandoned writer, then I say go ahead if you have made good faith efforts to reach out.
Having said that, this is all essentially wild west storytelling. As long as you don’t claim something as yours, people can’t really stop you from doing it.
