Plagiarism query

[Danny McG]

If I write a short story, and, in the title, state -

this is an unofficial homage to Mr X's short story "blah title blah"

does that count as plagiarism?

 

[anthorn]

Are you using their characters? World?

 

[Vaz]

AFAIK the only time you can use another authors characters/world is if you write fanfiction. You can't use another authors creation and try to sell the story you write.

If it were me, unless your writing fanfiction I'd leave well alone.

 

[Danny McG]

Pure fan fiction with no intention of selling
Not the same characters or world, just a basic concept.

The original story was a mind controlling alien was handling humans ok at a short distance but then came up against a ship brain that promptly lasered it.
In mine the alien needs direct contact (puppet master style) but then comes up against an android who promptly destroys it.
Looking at it again it's not really the same story, just minor similarities

 

[goldhawk]

1. Titles cannot be copyrighted. Titles cannot not be plagiarized. Titles can be trademarks. Anyone can reuse a title unless it is a trademark.

2. If you reuse the characters, then it may be a copyright violation.

3. If you reuse their world,... well, that's a gray area.

Reusing characters is a derived work, and a violation of copyright if, of course, there is a copyright. But reusing characters is not plagiarism. Reusing their world also is not plagiarism but some lawyers would claim it is a violation of copyright. As I said, it's a gray area.

 

[Danny McG]

Cheers.
Think I'll dump it and come up with something else.
Only had about eight hundred words and it was reminding me of something. I think it must have set a subconscious memory off and then the memory was guiding my story.
............Deleted now............