posted
I have a question, what do you think of using a term used by a famous author? Namely psoitronic brain (Asimov), or mentat (Herbert).
First you legal opinion(it isnt trademarked, can it be done?), then a personal opinion(Are you put off by recognising another authors work being used?). Refering to just the use of the term(s), not the world/universe that the author created.
I'm sorry, if this subject has been visited already on this site, and you are sick to the teeth of it.
posted
Psoitronic brain has been used in Star Trek to describe Data's make-up. There has been other small contributions that made it's way into the Englush language. Talespinner has pointed out ansible, for example. I assume if it is in the dictionary or lexicon of speech, it's open game.
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posted
I understand the terms "genetic engineering" and "space alien" come from Jack Williamson, as do several other terms familiar-to-SF-readers that are less well known to the laymen, like "matter transmission." But as none were trademarked or copyrighted, I suppose it's fair use. (I've got a book with a list of Williamson's contributions to our manner of speech, but, alas! my files are disorganized at the moment and I can't locate it right now to post a few more of 'em here.)
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posted
The word "ansible" was first used by Ursula K. Le Guin before it was borrowed by OSC, Elizabeth Moon and others.
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posted
I was hoping to also get your opinions. Case in point: Whether seeing 'ansible' used by OSC bothered you JamieFord. Or to see, Snapper, if you objected when Star Trek used the word, or when countless other stories borrowed The Laws of Robotics?
I ask you because, well for one, you are sci-fi readers and represent the audience trying to be reached, but also because I have such mixed emotions on the suject and haven't quite sorted it out for myself.
When I see ansible used by another author, whether I react 'Hey! That was stolen from Le Guin!' or 'That was a nice compliment to a great author.', is pretty much a coin toss.
Edited to add: My thanks to all who responded. Thank you for your time. I don't want to seem ungrateful, because I am grateful you all took time to respond.
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited October 05, 2008).]
posted
There are many fictional inventions and creatures throughout literary history, that have had their origins with a specific story and have become commonplace terms. You have already mentioned positronic brains and ansibles. May I suggest the following terms: androids, hyperspace, warp drive, transporters, halflings, and the word "elves" (an alternate derivative of the word "elf"). I know there are many others, of which I do not have time to research.
The use of generic terms such as these do not bother me, nor does it seem to bother the originators or copyrighters, some, if not all, of which are dead.
What becomes problematic is when someone uses a specific name attached to these terms. If a story referenced the Milleneum Falcon, Vulcans, or Hobbits, this would be a copyright violation.
posted
I'm not sure Hobbits are copyrighted. Plus the term has fallen into standard usage, meaning a short (possibly hairy) person. Much like 'coke', which is used a lot to refer to any brand of cola, even though it's specifically a reference to Coca-Cola and the cocaine it used to contain. Or 'hoover' from 'Hoover'.
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posted
This is where I would be more comfortable using the term "Halfling" indicating what you describe. Being that "Hobbit" is part of the title as well as indicating a resident of Hobbiton, a town within the Shire, and clearly a specific place within a specific fictional world.
I understand your argument about the "coke", but products can be mentioned as a product of the culture. I'm not sure how long something has to be in print to be considered public domain, but even if Tolkien is now such, my acceptance would depend on how a Hobbit was used in the story.
A graphic novel, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was made into a so-so movie a few years ago, used many famous heroes from literary fiction. It worked for me (not so much the movie). In the case of The Hobbit, it is a fictional world and characters would have to be able to interact within its realms. They did this with The Wizard of Oz fairly successfully. However, I do hold a certain reverence for Tolkien, and I'm not sure how I'd like it (it's probably already been done, and I stand in ignorence).
[This message has been edited by philocinemas (edited October 08, 2008).]
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