Are jokes free to use? - Writers Forum

starseed · 04-16-2008, 10:43 PM

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, or if it's been discussed before.

I'm wondering if jokes are ok to use in a story. Such as a character sitting with other characters and one tells a joke to the other.

There is a good president Bush joke I heard the other day that I've used in my story. I changed some of the minor details and wording up a bit, but in general, its the same joke. Now somewhere, someone wrote that joke. If I use it in my book is it stealing or breaking a copyright? Or is it free to use since jokes are passed around freely anyway? Also does the fact that I changed the details of the joke make any difference?

The story would work without the joke, if its a problem, but I want to know before I continue as it might change the narration slightly.

Thanks!

Heid · 04-17-2008, 02:20 AM

I don't think jokes are copyrighted so I think you're safe to use them.

I could be wrong.

phurst · 04-17-2008, 02:38 AM

You're a writer, make up your own. Humor in any book is good and I've seen a few. A Nun, polar bear, and one legged dance instructor go into a bar....

CodeRed · 04-17-2008, 02:45 AM

Many stock-standard jokes have been around long enough to be considered in the public domain. It's when you start using the material from comedians (for instance a stand-up, or a TV host like Jay Leno) without consent - and the correct attribution, I would assume - that you could find yourself in trouble. It sounds like the joke that you want to use is of the stock-standard variety, and generally speaking most jokes follow a core formula, though the wording can vary, and as such it is difficult to pin point their origin.

dejudicibus · 04-17-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed

The story would work without the joke, if its a problem, but I want to know before I continue as it might change the narration slightly.

Well, some joke is around since I was a child. Sometimes names and situations change, but most jokes are based on few classical structures. Anyway, when I have to use o joke or a short story inside a novel of mine, I try first to invent a new one. It is very appreciated by readers.

starseed · 04-17-2008, 10:05 PM

I'm not a comedian, I definitely don't think I'd be good at writing my own jokes..
As for if it came from someone like Leno or Letterman or something, its possible.
Someone told it to me, but they had to get it from somewhere. I'll just change the wording a little bit that way no one could really say I stole it.

archer88iv · 04-18-2008, 04:51 PM

Generally speaking, it's good to avoid writing anything with a punch line. Jokes seem to work better if we see their effect rather than actually hear them; inevitably, the funniest joke ever (to one person) will be boring to someone.

So do what you see in old Warner Bros. cartoons and just include the punch line itself (it hardly matters what the line is, so any old nonsense like, "So I said, that's no phone book--that's my mother! Bwahahaha!" can work fine) and let us see the characters laughing (or not, if it's not supposed to be funny).

Of course, bear in mind that whatever your character says is going to wind up characterizing them, as will their audience's response.

I'd be cautious about actually quoting jokes verbatim. It *is* possible for a joke to be copyrighted if, say, it's in a book by a comedian. Besides, there are more effective vehicles for humor in a story--unless your aim is simply to tell jokes.

...and, of course, again, what if it just ain't funny?

starseed · 04-21-2008, 08:30 PM

Yeah. Now I'm thinking it might be better to just leave the whole joke out. It is funny but I agree its different reading it than hearing it. The whole joke thing came up because all my characters were having dinner and I hit an "awkward silence" moment in the conversation, and needed something to move the conversation forward. I think I'll think of something else and maybe use the punchline of the joke at the start of a new chapter or something like you said. Thanks!