Is this illegal?

This is not a legal forum.

Dear Future Master of the Universe,

Backlash depends entirely on the author, so it's always wise to check; however, the bottom line is that you will be plugging their books, and all authors love that

You'll be getting plenty of advice to check with an attorney, but KISS and send each author a note stating that you will be plugging their book in such-and-such a manner for such and such a purpose, maybe send a sample, and ask their permission.

And of course, to be on the safe side, get the advice of an attorney who specializes in copyright law. A consultation fee is usually very affordable.

- Annie

It's only a big deal if someone sues you over it. Even if they are wrong, they can sue you. And unless you have money to go to court...you lose because they have the money to spend on trying to strong-arm you into doing wha they want you to do.

But you do not "legally" owe anyone anything UNLESS a courts tells you that you do. Always remember that. Getty images scared people into paying them hundreds of thousands of dollars in total by just sending them emails to people telling them that they owed them $X for using an image without their consent. Many people paid them because they think a lawyer sending you a letter telling you that you owe X company $X means you have to pay up. It doesn't. Only a court can demand that you owe someone else money...legally, or someone you have a contract with.

Don't worry about it. Just be smart about it and don't include any "systems" or "ideas" that are trademarked and don't copy whole sentences, paragraphs, chapter structure, book structure, etc.

That said, I am not a qualified legal professional of any kind.

Here's the thing (and I'm not a lawyer, either):

If you can read 4,5,6 books on a subject and LEARN the subject to the point where you can (without looking at the books) talk about the general subject on a video...you are unlikely to be violating anyone's rights as long as you aren't giving away a proprietary system.

I agree with advice to contact the authors but I think you need to be very clear on how you plan to use the book's contents.

Even your posts in this thread aren't clear as to whether the words on the video will be yours....or straight content from the books. "adding my own spin" means what?

Edit: If you are in the US (which I believe is the case)...get permissions!

Which translates to: "If you really want a definitive answer, hire a lawyer."

No, what I'm saying is if you want a definitive NEGATIVE answer...hire a lawyer.

Lawyers are "designed" to tell you why you should not do a certain thing so they can charge you to write up a contract or TOS or something like that in order to make it "right".

It's one of the downsides in capitalism.

Not saying lawyers are useless, but....

The short answer is......

You need to take this up with a competent Attorney in your jurisdiction.

All you have to do is run into a publisher or author who is chomping at the bit to sue at the drop of a hat.....

There used to be a saying that no one ever got fired for recommending IBM.

The legal equivalent is that no lawyer, based on less than complete information, ever got censured or suspended for telling someone NOT to do some potentially risky thing.

You can reference a book or technique of video making without getting sued. Plus you can spin your words if you are a professional in that niche and you talk from experience.

For example. There are 1000s of books about how to break in to the music business. So you should be able to take the parts that you think are most needed from each book and then spin it in your own words and experiences.

So good luck.

If you have to question yourself (and us), then don't put yourself at risk. Don't do it. Just come up with a different, original and safe idea.

I am just wondering ... how are you going to monetize this? I think the first question you should ask is not "is it illegal" but "will it be profitable"?

Your quoting them! Go ahead and put it together and work on optimizing till you are getting a sale or return. Improve upon...

It's when your pulling in some real good numbers and drawing attention that can get you looked at. You can always contact the owners or ask a lawyer even online somewhere.

You can reference a book or technique of video creating while not obtaining sued. and you'll be able to spin your words if you're knowledgeable in this niche and you speak from expertise.


as an example. There ar 1000s of books regarding the way to break in to the music business. therefore you ought to be able to take the components that you just suppose ar most required from every book and so spin it in your own words and experiences.


therefore sensible luck.