I mean "historical research"...
Link: Da Vinci Code 'copied book ideas'
The third author of that book, the one not involved in the action, funded his participation through royalty cheques he got from the B.B.C. for their continued use of a character he created, Aleister Gordon Lethbridge Stewart. He also created the dreaded Quarks.
It's a bit weird really. They seem to be claiming that their conspiracy theory - which presumably they are advancing as proper, researched history - Is copyrightable like a fictional story.
Does this mena that any story based on a nutball conspiracy theory is fair game for legal action? The entire pseudo-historical action horror mystery SF Genre could be in jeopardy!
It's also worth noting that other prople, including Garth ennis and to a lesser extend Grant Morrison, have previously riffed on the ideas in Holy Blood, though preumably this caused no legal action since oodles of money weren't involved.
What a load of old rubbish. You can't copyright an idea. There is no protection for original ideas. You just have to look at any TV to see that.
but wasnt the original theroy based of a load of old rubbish anyway?
As I understand it the reason they think they have a case is that the structure of how they reveal information in their book is mirrored with some precision in Dan Browns book. It's not just that they share a 'plot' but what's done with it.
After all Stephen Knight could probably try a similar action on Alan Moore - though I seriously doubt he would - because From Hell is a fictional retread of the theory put forwards in his 'Final Solution' book but Alan Moore deals with that information in such a hugely different way as to make it clearly distinguishable.
It's a shame Dan Brown can't be prosecuted just for putting out shit books.
What a great law.
Sorry Mr Archer I know you've not long been out but it's time to go back in. What's that? You didn't like it? You're not meant to.
Yeah but Archer doesnt actually write his books (allegedly)... I was somewhat disturbed with the relish he used the word 'bugger' on R&J yesterday...
Gary --
Maybe jail left him a changed man?
;-)
'After all Stephen Knight could probably try a similar action on Alan Moore - though I seriously doubt he would '
I know he definately wouldn't..he died in July 1985...
unless he has Derek Acorah as a lawyer..
Just checked an article in a magazine that I thought Knight had written and in actual fact it's by Colin Wilson. Hmmmm. Confused now.
In your face nutters! No fat wads of cash for you!
Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM
Hurrah! Dan Brown is officially shit in his own right!