Some common sense tips for protecting yourself from litigation In an online self-publishing support group, a member posted that they had finished their manuscript and needed an attorney to review it to be sure the author wouldn’t get sued. The responses to the post ranged from questioning the need for such a review to [...]
Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business Stephen Fishman, J.D. Nolo I don’t mind paying a lawyer, but I only want to do it when it’s absolutely necessary. That’s why I have several NOLO books in my library. If you’re thinking about starting or already operate a small business, or if you’re a [...]
He was refusing to pay what he owed; I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. I’ve dealt with a lot of lawyers over the years. Many have been my clients (they know the value of a good ghostwriter). Many more have been my sources for magazine articles and books. Some are friends. [...]
Self-Publisher's Legal Handbook: Updated Guide to Protecting Your Rights and Wallet Helen Sedwick Ten Gallon Press This is a legal book that’s actually fun to read. As an author (both traditionally and self-published) and a self-publishing consultant (who has ghostwritten and published books for clients in multiple genres), I can’t say enough good things about [...]
I have the right to say it, but should I? As an American writer, I am an unequivocal supporter of our First Amendment right to free speech and free expression. I also believe that speech should be honest, but that’s not the rabbit trail I want to go down today. What I want to discuss [...]
Over the years, I’ve worked with authors and clients whose interest in and understanding of copyrights range from oblivious to obsessed. In my opinion, extremes are only good when chocolate is involved. When it comes to copyrights, having a basic knowledge of the terms and related legal principles will help you protect your work, keep [...]
Free photo sites are not always free Camera manufacturers like to share images taken with their equipment, so it was understandably awkward when Canon Italy and Canon Spain shared a photo shot with a Fuji X-T1 on all their social media accounts. Then it got worse. Turns out Canon took the image from a website [...]
The Copyright Alternative Small Claims Enforcement Act (CASE) of 2017 could make it easier for photographers and other artists to file and win copyright disputes. The bipartisan bill would make it easier for musicians and artists to protect their creative work. According to a news release, U.S. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries and Tom Marino have introduced [...]
Do photographers really get a kick out of suing people? Of course not. But they deserve to be paid for their work. If you use their images without permission or compensation, you might get sued. Photographer John Aldred posted a great blog on diyphotography.net about an “internet entrepreneur” who seems to think that artists put [...]
Is a picture really worth 1,000 words? Absolutely. Maybe more. Pictures are powerful. We live in a visual, fast-paced world. Images grab attention and give the reader an at-a-glance answer to the “why should I read this?” question. They can dramatically improve the effectiveness of almost any written message, including web copy, content marketing, social [...]
