Documents in DocStoc

[alex_greene]

This basically concerns anyone who has gone to DocStoc to download my "Tales of The Black Freighter" for Mongoose Traveller.

Just to let you know that I have set my membership to exclude me from their Document Library.

What does this mean for you?

It means that, if I put up a link to my documents on DocStoc, and yes I said "documents," meaning more will be forthcoming (I hope), you will be able to continue to access them for free, for as long as that remains possible.

DocStoc decided, without my knowledge or consent, to set things up to include everybody's work in their Document Library whether they wanted it so or not ... and then shove the library behind a paywall.

Whatever fan stuff I create, whether for Mongoose Traveller, RQII/Legend, the World of Darkness, or whether it is game stuff or my own fan fiction, whatever I put up on DocStoc or anywhere on the web, it is intended to be public domain until it gets published somewhere else, like an anthology, special supplement or whatever.

If something I put up on DocStoc vanishes behind a paywall, let me know immediately so I can find a way of sending you the relevant item gratis. Public domain means just that - no ruddy paywalls!

This declaration of civic duty brought to you once again by the Tavarchedle' Ministry of Information. Because unlike some, we believe in total honesty.

And also in not being forced to pay for something that is free, because that is extortion if not outright theft.

 

[BFalcon]

nicely done alex... props...

 

[Rick]

If they're asking for payment to view a document, and not passing along a percentage of that to the actual author, isn't there another legal issue in that as well?

 

[alex_greene]

If they're asking for payment to view a document, and not passing along a percentage of that to the actual author, isn't there another legal issue in that as well?

Which is why, if anything I do get to write gets accepted by a publisher who wants it in a document you have to pay for, I'll let you know about it - but anything I put up in public domain is strictly not for profit: I just want it available as a writing credit to take to an agent or publisher.

Furthermore, the document I put up does not have the "FFE License" stuff, which means it cannot be turned into a document you have to pay money for. DocStoc are completely in the wrong in forcing this public domain document behind a paywall, hence my action to stop that happening.

 

[BP]

Generally*, if something is in the public domain - anyone can do whatever they want with it, even charge for it.

Also, some hosts (like for images) have as a provision for hosting that they are bestowed certain rights. (However, proving that the IP owner actually submitted the work, or even had the rights to do so, is another issue...).

Not to say that what DocStor is reported as doing is anything ethical or decent. Scams are a penny a million on the web.

*- of course, countries can make exceptions to any such definition... crime, politics and legalities are always fluid...

 

[phavoc]

I'd suggest that you just move your stuff to a more publiclly-available place, like a Yahoo group of the Google equivalent.

If you've never relinquished your ownership or signed documentation otherwise, they can go stuff themselves if you post the same material in other locations for free.

 

[Galadrion]

In addition, you should be able to send them a directive to remove all of your content, you are withdrawing your permission for them to host your work, and their behavior on this matter in these specifics is the reason why, etc. etc. etc., and if they do not comply with this order (and you will be checking, both in your own person and through third parties, to verify their compliance) you will sue for copyright infringement, recovery of damages, and assorted other mopery and dopery on their part... In short, just because you've put something out there gratis does not mean that you've given up your rights. You can't, entirely, because you are still liable under the law should Mongoose Publishing, Far Future Enterprises, and/or Marc Miller decide their trademarks and copyrights have been infringed and/or misused.

I'm not saying you are required to go this route, but it is an option. Placing your work in the public domain does not invalidate your legal claims and rights thereupon. The only way to do that is to specifically assign those claims and rights to some other party.

 

[Treebore]

Yeah,putting them up in a "public" way does not give up your copyrights, you can only give those away in writing, at least in the US. IT is best to say you retain your copyrights in the writings in question, though. Plus it is best to state you only make them available only for free. Anyone who wishes to make money off of them, directly or indirectly, needs to then respect your copyrights.