APHELION FLASH FICTION CONTEST: August '13

[Lester Curtis]

Wow. I think I might actually be ready for this one. Piracy (of a specific kind) has a significant place in my novel.

Nice job -- again -- with the example story and cover art, John!

Oh, and speaking of pirates and other such scum -- I just got to kick TWO spammers.

"Arrr! Take that, ye scurvy Bangladeshi blaggards!"

[Megawatts]

I'm in this time. Again I'll try. Of course I'm a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates----heh, heh.

[Lester Curtis]

Briefly, as only part of an answer,

A "work" becoming public domain in (1923?) is not the same at all as a "person" becoming "usable in all fiction in all cases wit no recourse ever". Nate's guess about the 100 years was based on a *guess* that people below X status do not in fact get grouchy over estate issues. (That's exactly my demographic on Capt. Marcy!)

Yeah, I never heard of Capt. Marcy until you mentioned the name, and I'll bet I'm in the overwhelming majority.

However, the question is not whether the character is a household name; the question is whether that real-life-personage's HOUSEHOLD sees his name somewhere -- like here-- and doesn't like what was written. The objection needn't be rational, either. "You jerk, you got his hair parted wrong, I'm calling my lawyer! WAAAAH!!"

Theoretically if the wheels moved at such quick speed that a writer could do rights checks and submit them, then the rules change. That's more 'zine territory when you can afford to burn 3 months on your story to dot i's and cross t's and copy-edit as well.

"Theoretically" about sums it up. I've read recently (in regards to self-publishing) that it can take months to years to contact the holders of copyright interests to get permission for anything not covered under "fair use" (which is pretty limited and still doesn't guarantee safety from litigation).

My suggestion: if the character is obscure already anyway, just give 'em a different name and play dumb about it forever afterward.

[Megawatts]

I agree with Richard. Let it alone, but it is nice to have a discussion about rules, sometimes.

[Lester Curtis]

Five stories in. One day left.

Gods. You had to remind me, didn't you?
I got one started but I don't know if I'm gonna make it.

[Lester Curtis]

I just made it -- and I think I did a pretty decent job.

We'll see.

[Lester Curtis]

I've just posted my votes. There are a few top-notch entries here; I think this will be close.