The Law for Creators

NOT LEGAL ADVICE. But, hopefully helpful info for writers, artists, & creative types about the business side the creative process from author @joesergi1

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time to write. Simple as that.” — Stephen King

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Ireland is the only nation to have a musical instrument as a national emblem. The harp has also been the trademark of Guinness (No. 0321014) since 1862. So, to differentiate their emblem from the Guinness emblem, the Irish government turned their harp in the opposite direction.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Seriously. Read the cross references to a contract and make sure they exist. I spent hours figuring out what the heck the clause “the parties agree to be bound by III(A)(2)(iv)” means when there is no clause III(A)(2)(iv). (There wasn’t even a section III(A)(2)).

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

In the world of e-publishing and print on demand, be wary of the "out of print clause" in a publishing contract. Instead, opt for language that returns rights when a publisher no longer actively is marketing your book and/or if the book has stopped selling.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

“To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” -Dr. Seuss

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Try to reach a verbal agreement before hiring a lawyer to write your contract. To state the obvious. It’s cheaper to work out your differences without someone who charges by the hour.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

When writing a contract, keep it as simple as possible. So don’t write “heretowith the party of the first part does heretowith convey and relinquish to the party of the second part the following: a contract.” Just say, “We agree to”.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

The X-Men have been fighting for Mutant Equality since 1966. In a strange bit of irony Marvel argued to (and convinced) the US Court of International Trade that the X-Men aren't humans for purposes of a trade tariff on action figures.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

The merger doctrine provides that that if there is only one way to express an idea, then the idea and expression merge and the expression can’t be protected by copyright. (Eg, recipes, boilerplate rules, disclaimers are not protected). May explain why there’s so many match 3 apps

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Want to make sure that the license plate of the villain in your movie/tv/comic doesn’t belong to a real person. Make it a California plate with the letters GAT, SAM or FAN. All are three-letter combination not used by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

If a comic partnership starts as a friendship. Do yourself a favor and avoid putting monetary penalties or cancellation clauses in the contract for non-performance. Nothing sours a friendship quicker than $50 a day or termination for missed deadlines. It’s supposed to be fun.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

In 2007, Gary Friedrich sued Marvel over the character of Ghost Rider. While the case ultimately settled, the lower court found for Marvel based on its wfh contracts, but the 2nd Circuit found those contracts ambiguous, so it reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

The comic’s code outlawed the words “horror”, “weird” or “terror” in comic book titles. Obviously, this caused a problem for EC Comics, whose titles consisted almost entirely of variations of these words.

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

@Writer_Novice_ Hi. This is my free daily tip and trivia account about the business/legal side of the industry for creators based on my book. I also write comics & novels in the horror, sci-fi & young adult genres. My other accounts are @joesergi1 @dizyaknow and @CANIGeek1 #writingcommunity

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

“When someone tells me ‘no,’ it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them.” —Karen E. Quinones Miller

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Beware the Passive Voice. Make sure you who will do what. Don't say, “Work will be delivered to publisher” By who? How? Say "Author agrees to deliver a manuscript to Artist, who will finalize the comic and then, upon approval of both parties, Artist will submit it to publisher"

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

The Supreme Court takes very few cases each year and requires either a Constitutional right to be at issue (such as the Freedom of Speech) or require that several courts of appeals throughout the country have ruled differently (called a circuit split).

[Can_I_Geek @CANIGeek1]

Join me as I use my knowledge of pop culture to@unbox and explore the history behind the items in the January 2022 @thebambox Geek Box with way too much information on Indiana Jones, Morbius and Iron Man. The prop may be my favorite one yet. #bammer

https://t.co/PFacUoXOO6

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Happy #PresidentsDay

[Joe Sergi @joesergi1]

And the follow up, also out of date: Abraham Lincoln appearances in science fiction. Happy Presidents Day! https://t.co/T3uBaYpkns

[The Law for Creators @LawCreators]

Happy #PresidentsDay

[Joe Sergi @joesergi1]

I wrote this, and the follow up, a while back, so it's out of date: George Washington appearances in comics. https://t.co/pdZTInWyUM