The Noble Pen for Nov 2, 2017

Next Noble Pen Meeting

Nov 2nd, 2017 at 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

Someone asked at the last meeting about pen names.  Here’s an author that became widely known by more than one pseudonym.

Victories

Nathan finished a chapter.

Aime caught up on editing for Scourge.

Education

Authors should have some knowledge of copyright law.  You should know that anything you write is immediately copyrighted.  Registration with the government office (with a fee) strengthens your ability to enforce your copyright.  Rights cover several different types of use.  Some uses can be made of your work without infringing on the copyright.  World-wide, the author is faced with separate registrations under a variety of laws and limits.

US copyright laws have changed from time to time, mostly to extend the coverage.  Cynics have noted that the length of time a copyright provides protection (with registration and renewals) has usually been a little longer than the age of Mickey Mouse.

A search will turn up many explanations of copyright.  The  Writers Write site has a nice summary written by a lawyer in more or less layman’s language.  Here’s another.  The US government Copyright Office gives definitions related to the subject.  Wikipedia has a substantial article.

Titles are not generally protected by copyright, although some caution needs to be exercised as discussed in the 2017 Aug 31 newsletter.

Of all the creative work produced by humans anywhere, a tiny fraction has continuing commercial value. For that tiny fraction, the copyright is a crucially important legal device. ~Lawrence Lessig

Upcoming Schedule

November 2
Nick
Deanna
Stacy H. (held over)

November 9
Laura
Ciuin
Uriah

November 16
Stacie S. (3k)
Nathan (3k)
Deanna (6k)

November 23
Thanksgiving, no meeting

November 30
Open slots

December 7
Open slots

Keep Writing,
Bill