It's not a personal email, and it isn't to someone I know very well. I was asking an author a question about their work, and they responded to me. However, I have now learned that the author has included the email I sent her in her new book. I'm not just interested in the money, I'm more interested in making a point - she has used 1000s of emails people have sent her to make up this book. Is there any way I could make a claim on the royalties, or we could all group together and do that?
2007-01-04 02:41:25 · 7 answers · asked by Jacqui M 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
One phrase; intellectual property rights.
She's infringed your copyright without asking your permission UNLESS she included a disclaimer somewhere in the contact she has had with you.
Try the site below:
http://www.intellectual-property.gov.uk/
However, she's probably relying on this but I have to say I don't think it'll be worth the hassle or the money to take it any further - your call.
2007-01-04 02:51:12 · answer #1 · answered by SilverSongster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Correspondence you receive can be used in a book, unless the person who sent it made it a condition when sending it that the email be kept private. They should acknowlege you as the author if you request them to. This is not the same as using someone's published works without permission. You gave this person the email, and they can then use it as they wish. There is no copyright on a simple question you submitted to this person; though there probably would have been, had you written a long and complex analysis of their work, or something like that.
2007-01-04 12:57:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the author an academic (i.e. a professor)? If so, then you should contact not only an attorney (to file a complaint in civil court), but also the president and research officer at the university where the academic works.
I'm sorry this happened to you. It's unethical and improper.
2007-01-04 10:51:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You hold the copyright on any letter or email sent by you to a third party. If that third party has published your email without your permission then they have infringed your copyright. See a copyright agent.
2007-01-04 10:49:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know much about anything, and you need professinal advice, but my thought is that if you sent them an email, it is like a letter and now belongs to the person who received it.
However, what do I know? This is something for the lawyers.
2007-01-04 10:49:18 · answer #5 · answered by True Blue Brit 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would definately think you could do something, I know you cant use someone's picture without their permission etc so I dont see why you would be allowed to use their email
2007-01-04 10:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by OriginalBubble 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
See a lawyer as you have a legitimate claim.
2007-01-04 10:45:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋