Talia_Brie

I'm writing a fiction story that is based around actual events.

These events have been detailed in a novel called Batavia's Graveyard, by Mike Dash.

Would I be facing any problems from Mr Dash as a result of the events in my story being similar to those in his book, which was a non fiction work detailing the actual historical events?

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CroZ

I'm not really sure what you mean but i'll give it a shot.

Well history belongs to everyone, if it was non-fiction then it must have actually happened, it would be like school book makers suing children for copying from their books.

Just because someone has made a movie about the D-day landings it dosent mean they own all rights the rights to it. Just so long as you don't copy 'their' specific plot unless it DID actually take place.

mammamaia

history can't be copyrighted... so, what croz said is valid... just don't copy anything from another work that isn't totally taken from history and you'll be ok...

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JustJim

Dan Brown got some static from the authors of Holy Grail (Holy something) after his The Da Vinci Code became popular. Great success would no doubt bring out the people who think you got the idea from them.

As a suggestion, why don't you read a few more books on the subject and put a bibliography of research sources at the end of the book. A wit once said that taking ideas from one person is plagiarism, taking from two is research.

As has been said, you can't copyright history, but as history is considered an art, not a science, the ideas an historian has about the subject possibly are copyright to an extent. Therefore, I suggest you sort out the facts on the subject and draw your own conclusions. Try if possible to oppose some of those made by Dash. However, if he has taken his ideas from someone else, then he wouldn't have much of a leg to stand on. But I don't think you'd have much to worry about unless the book is a huge success in which case it will be mostly the publisher's worry. And remember, there is no such thing as bad publicity for a book. The more it gets talked about, the more sales there will be. This would apply to Dash's book also, which would probably mitigate any complaints he might have.

All of the above is merely my opinion and not backed by any legal or other knowledge.

Nimbus1944

I understand the movie rights to Dash's book have been bought. That doesn't guarantee a movie will be made, or that it'll be fictionalized, but you may have some competition.

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Talia_Brie

Where did you read that?

Everyone else, thanks for confirming what I already suspected.

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