I read this chapter and it's not plagiary. He only used the concept of Harry finding the book "Art of War" in a muggle library and nothing else, as far as I could see... no soul fragments, no historic figures, no post-GOF (trident's is post-HBP)...

Not to mention that, before Contempt's story, there were bunch of other stories in which Harry was using the Art of War for training purposes - he was nowhere near the first one to think of that.

Besides, I thought that DLP rules against plagiarism are only applied to the authors posting stories in the "stories by author" thread... and this story is so far posted only on FFN.

*Shrugs* I really think you should give this guy a break... This little detail he had used doesn't make him in any way worse than bunch of other authors who use RossWrock's trunk (TM) or any other independant!Harry clishe in their stories.

 

If Ross chooses to allow that, it's his business. I know that if anybody stole one of my plot devices, I'd try and have the hammer dropped on him (and I have done it before). Now, I wouldn't be so bothered if the guy just happened to get the idea and use it, but the fact that we know that he wanted to rip Contempt's idea off and thought it was his right to do so (and I am a staunch believer in intellectual property...we borrow Rowling's, but she allows it, and if she didn't none of us would be posting HP fanfics). Whatever new concepts a fanfic author comes up with belong to that author. Magical trunks and such things already existed in the canon universe. If I saw another fic using my concept of demons or what have you, something alien to the canon HP universe and that I personally invented and implemented, I would not allow it. Period.

 

Dunno if that will work... If we can freely use any idea we want from copyrighted and legally protected comercial literature, why would fanfic authors be better protected, with their amateurish and often joking disclaimers? Meh, I guess it's more a code of honor thing or something like that, I agree there.

But ask yoursef this - was EVERY idea you've ever used in your writing absolutely original, without any sort of input from other fanfiction? And if you DID borrow some smaller idea, did you really bother to ask the original author for permission (whomever they might be)? For myself, I know I took several ideas from other independant!Harry stories and put a twist to them. I always try to put a notice where I get my ideas from, but I'm sure there are lots of things I just took for granted...

Bottom line, you can (and maybe should) protect things that are REALLY yours, like OC's, names and completely original concepts... but the "Art of War" is, unfortunately, nowhere near that level IMO.

 

The book isn't, but the idea of using the book and the maxims with as the entire basis of the story's plot was and is Contempt's original idea. It is a code of honor, and one that this second-rate shitstain violated, and for that he has my (pardon the pun) contempt. And we can only use those ideas as long as the original authors allow it. There are several who have outright said 'no fanfiction' regarding their works.

 

You mean comercial or fanfic authors?

I know that there are comercial authors who forbid sites like fanfiction.net to post fanfictions of their works, but this is the first time I hear some FF author tried to forbid other authors to use their idea... I mean, it's OK if we're talking about a completely original character or some complex setting, but simple plot bunny or idea? Dunno, never heard of it before.

Yes, I was talking about that rule. As far as I can see, it's refering only to stuff people post on DLP, not to stuff people do outside the forum...

 

A)this is for the story itself, and a handful of reviews, not a bitch session, regardless of what it's for.

B)Stop the damned bickering.

C)phear the power of a quick reply smack.

 

Your arguement makes no sense. Contempt does not publish his work. Contempt does not own the plot. Contempt does not make money off of fan fiction. Contempt can not sue anyone for stealing an already used idea, which by they way, he has no rights to. If Contempt wants his ideas completely original so they never get taken, he should write an original series and register his shit with the writers guild so he has complete rights to his ideas. This is fan faction. Stories written by people who have a hobby of expanding on someone elses work. Why can't someone expand on a fan fiction writers work.

It's not that serious, I'm just saying I don't think you can really ban the guy for no other reason then expanding on an abandon plot that wasn't all that original in the first place.

 

Sree: You're right, I never read the first part of the thread. I just flew over that part of discussion and then read Trident's version of the story and compared it with the Contempt's.

And no, he actually didn't take over the story. He just took the plot bunny of Harry finding "the Art of War" during summer break, moved the whole thing post-HBP and started his own version. Nothing too bad IMO. If he'd just put where he got the idea from in his author notes, he'd be 100% cleared in my book.

And get your hands away from MY story! LET GO! MINE! BWAAAA!

Legally, they can, as long as they put in a disclaimer, like in any 'normal' fanfiction.

It's just... bad form. It pisses people off. And pissed off readers leave flames and bad reviews. And the whole point of fanfiction is comunication between readers and authors. Without that, what's the point of writing FF at all? You're certainly not doing it for money.

 

Alright it's had enough.

Trident:




or at least give blatant credit where you were inspired from.

 

Err... that didn't work right

(wow, this instant-message thingy RULEZ!)

 

Banning Trident was a bit over the top.

The Art of War idea has been used in several other stories as well.

That's like bitching at IP (Not that I ever would...*worships*) for giving Harry a custom wand, or a phoenix, etc. Trident never "ripped off" Contempt, as he did say the idea wasn't really his, and the fact that he changed so much, that besides the Art of War book, it was pretty much entirely different.

He said he would try to continue, but, he didn't. COntinuing is different than using a plot idea that has already been used. Demon God was not the first to write a Harry joins Voldemort story. Actions speak louder than words.

Even worse, Trident was banned before people even read the story. If you read it, the only thing he did wrong was not giving Contempt a bit more credit.

I disagree with the banning, but then, it's not my place. I still respect your decision.

 

As we've said before we rather hate having to debate choices made by staff, but for the record, Vash banned trident a bit ago, the banning didn't save when it was transfered.