How do i prepare a legal case for plagiarism of my book?

Question

Hi, earlier this year I released a book. Another author has since released a book. It is clear to me that the author has taken my book, and reworded much of it. In some instances not even bothering to reword it. I believe there is significant case of plagiarism.

I live in the UK. Preferably I would like to sort it out with the publisher ammicably, although I will go to court if necessary.

Im fairly intelligent and am quite willing to take the case to court myself, although I cannot afford to pay a legal team.

I would like to know how to prepare a legal case for plagiarism?

I'm reasonable man. What is the best way to make initial contact with the publisher? where I can learn what forms I need etc. Procedures, online resources etc?

thank you

Answer 1

Before publishing the book, you have to obtain copyrights for that book. And that should remain the sole responsiblity of the publisher. Only the publisher should take care of any violations that occur in any copyright of the book, and the publisher has every reponsiblity to take any case of palgiarism to court.

It also depends on the extent of that violation. For instance, it is unlikely that the case would be strong enough if there is a simple case of a student copying down the content on his/her note book and give it to the teacher; or some other like. However, if someone is making copies of the book illegally and selling them, then the case is a strong one.

There is no point of suing if that offence is as light as copying from a book, unless if it is trade related.

Answer 2

The first question is, how successful is your book? If, as I suspect, the answer is "Not at all", then forget it. What has been lost? The only damage is to your pride.

If I am wrong and it is a successful book, then perhaps the publishers could advise you. Again, I suspect that you self-published. I published a book that sold about 750 copies, only to see that someone else has used the same title for a totally different book. Hard luck me!

You only need to look at the Dan Brown/Da Vinci Code litigation to see how complicated such legal action is. Guess who the winners were there? THE LAWYERS.

I worked for a senior Lord Justice of Appeal for 6 years. Every single case that appears at the CoA has a legal team on each side that is firmly convinced that they are right. In each case, there is a legal team on one side that loses. In every case there is a losing litigant who is left with a massive bill because his lawyers were wrong.

Thus, even if you get legal advice, it is a 50% chance that they are wrong! Obviously that is not strictly true, but true enough for you to shy away from any litigation unless there is a massive amount of money at stake.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Most of the people answering questions in this forum are not even lawyers, let alone lawyers in the U.K. You might be able to find a legal team willing to handle the matter on a contingent fee basis.

Answer 4

Ask your Publisher for an Introduction to a good Lawer , experienced in this field , surely being in the Publishing World he/she will be well able to Help you ???

Answer 5

replaced into it a band said as The Unknown Tribes, or actual tribes? As you likely recognize, between the most in call for musical plagiarism circumstances replaced into even as George Harrison replaced into sued for his song "My sweet Lord", which used the melody of "he's So high-quality".

Answer 6

Go to a library,find the proper legal document,copy it down,word for word,maybe change a few adverbs,and offer it up to the justice department

Answer 7

go to the CAB and the association of book authors.