Would this be "stealing from JMS?"

[Delenn_of_Mir]

I remember hearing about plans JMS had for a sequel to B5 where a grown up David comes back to his parents, from the future to warn them about the empire's they are building. I guess they were becoming too dictatorial or something and the future was bad because of it? I'm not sure.

Anyway, my question is I think this is a terrific idea for a story and was wondering if I used it for an original story with original characters would this be stealing from JMS?

I'm nowhere near as good of a writer as he is, and I'm sure whatever i came up with would look vastly different from whatever he would have done with it had circumstances been different.

This is just a general question, in case i ever managed to actually write it, and it was good enough to be publishable.

[JoeD80]

I remember hearing about plans JMS had for a sequel to B5 where a grown up David comes back to his parents, from the future to warn them about the empire's they are building. I guess they were becoming too dictatorial or something and the future was bad because of it? I'm not sure.

It was a planned storyline for season five.

Anyway, my question is I think this is a terrific idea for a story and was wondering if I used it for an original story with original characters would this be stealing from JMS?

WB is the one that owns the copyright and would have to license anything that's published professionally.

[Joe Nazzaro]

I think there's a big difference between fan fiction where you maybe publish it online just for the pleasure of other people getting to read it; and actually putting it together in a form that requires payment. Once you try to make money from somebody else's characters and ideas, they tend to- quite rightly- get a bit upset about that.

[Jan]

Anyway, my question is I think this is a terrific idea for a story and was wondering if I used it for an original story with original characters would this be stealing from JMS?

The first time I read this, I assumed that you meant a story not in the B5 universe using new characters. Now I'm not so sure, given other replies.

Put it this way, if you create your own characters and story and only use the element of a son coming from the future to warn his parents about something, go right ahead. I've read several stories with that particular element.

If you're talking about writing a B5 story with that element, yeah, it's infringement but probably not anything that would get Warner Bros. in a lather as long as it was fairly small scale.

Jan

[Delenn_of_Mir]

The first time I read this, I assumed that you meant a story not in the B5 universe using new characters. Now I'm not so sure, given other replies.

Put it this way, if you create your own characters and story and only use the element of a son coming from the future to warn his parents about something, go right ahead. I've read several stories with that particular element.

If you're talking about writing a B5 story with that element, yeah, it's infringement but probably not anything that would get Warner Bros. in a lather as long as it was fairly small scale.

Jan

You were right the first time, Jan. I would use original character, original universe, etc.

I love B5 and my own universe is somewhat inspired by it, but I've never been good at fan fiction. I do V fan fiction and that's pretty much it.

I enjoy reading it sometimes, and I still claim the distorted mirror fanfic saga as one of the best series I've ever read!!!!!!! I actually take a lot of inspiration from that as well.

What books/comics have you read, jan with that element of a son coming back from the future to warn his parents? I would be interested if you remembered any names or authors.

I may have confused people since I was asking about copyright infringement, or I may simply need to work on clarity. I asked because I was uncertain how far ideas are protected, since JMS isn't allowed to read fan's story ideas in case he uses one and a viewer sues him. I though maybe it could work the other way as well.

[Joe Nazzaro]

I seem to remember there was an episode of The Next Generation with Worf and his son in season seven? I'm sure somebody with a better memory can confirm that.

[Jan]

What books/comics have you read, jan with that element of a son coming back from the future to warn his parents? I would be interested if you remembered any names or authors.

Not altogether certain of the warning part but if I recall correctly, Robert Heinlein, David Gerrold and Spider Robinson have all written about time travel.

I may have confused people since I was asking about copyright infringement, or I may simply need to work on clarity. I asked because I was uncertain how far ideas are protected, since JMS isn't allowed to read fan's story ideas in case he uses one and a viewer sues him. I though maybe it could work the other way as well.

I think the confusion came from the word 'original' since you might have meant the original B5 characters/

Technically, ideas cannot be copyrighted, only the execution (script, story etc.) of an idea. That doesn't mean that a person with a greedy lawyer couldn't file suit and cost a lot of money for JMS to defend himself. That's why his precaution of staying away from story ideas.

Jan

[Delenn_of_Mir]

Not altogether certain of the warning part but if I recall correctly, Robert Heinlein, David Gerrold and Spider Robinson have all written about time travel.



I think the confusion came from the word 'original' since you might have meant the original B5 characters/

Technically, ideas cannot be copyrighted, only the execution (script, story etc.) of an idea. That doesn't mean that a person with a greedy lawyer couldn't file suit and cost a lot of money for JMS to defend himself. That's why his precaution of staying away from story ideas.

Jan

I'm sure JMS has saved himself a lot of trouble with his policy

And I adore David Gerrold. I have a writing book from him!!!!!

[sftv]

Taking a general plot idea shouldn't be an issue with putting your own take on it with your own characters. John Scalzi's Redshirts is a good example of being inspired by something and doing your own take on it (the life of the lower rank crew on a starship realizing that going on an away mission with the Captain is something you don't want to do..).

However, with the success of 50 Shades of Grey, which was originally Twilight fanfic, I think there will probably be more people looking to do something along those lines.