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Is it OK to re-write the R U Darby story from "Think and Grow Rich" in your own words?

by area51backlinks
8 replies
I have learned that the original edition of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is in the public domain, and that the story about R U Darby is a true story.

I want to use that story in an ebook I'm writing. I'm not going to copy and paste the whole thing. Just a brief version - the facts - in my own words.

Can anyone see a potential copyright or legal issue here?

Would there be any need or reason to give credit to Napoleon Hill for using the story, or since it's a true story, and I'm writing it in my own words, is that OK?
#darby #rewrite #story #think and grow rich #words
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I think using success stories to make your point is fine. For example, if you wanted to talk about patience and perseverance you might write something about Gandhi drawing parallels to your own experiences. I don't think Napoleon Hill had any kind of exclusive rights to tell Darby's story. Just write your own version.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brad Davidson
      There are any copyright or legal issues with re-writing the story.

      However, think about the perception you are creating for your audience.

      I get the feeling that you don't want to mention Napoleon Hill but how are you going to preface the story and give it context?

      Many of your e-book readers may have also read Think and Grow Rich at some time and may recognise the story so just be careful about how you position it so that people don't get the mistaken perception that you are trying to pass the story off as your own (even though that isn't your intention).

      Also, I think that mentioning Think and Grow Rich and Napoleon Hill as the source of the story would actually be beneficial and create a level of " relatability" with your audience if they have read the book.

      Hope that helps.
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      • Profile picture of the author Incomechanix
        Originally Posted by Brad Davidson View Post

        Also, I think that mentioning Think and Grow Rich and Napoleon Hill as the source of the story would actually be beneficial....

        I absolutely agree 100%.

        And as I see it, you're effectively providing free advertising for McGraw-Hill (or other 'current publisher'). I don't see any harm in that.


        The event happened in real life. N.H. did not invest any intellectual capital in "creating" a fictional character (for which he could claim a proprietary ownership as it's author) and he was not re-creating events of his own personal life (in that case he would have limited rights because of privacy issues).

        But back to the main point.... I don't realistically see how a publisher, or anyone else for that matter, could expect to argue that they hold any kind of exclusivity over an event that factually occurred as a matter of historical record in which they were not physically personally a first-person participant thereof, and in some instances even if they were. Are the surviving victims and firefighters of the world trade centers the only ones authorized to speak or publish works with explicit details about that tragedy?

        Those are my thoughts on that in a nutshell. I'm sure someone may, if they really tried, find a way to split hairs about it... but that's how I see it....

        best of luck on your venture...
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  • Profile picture of the author area51backlinks
    Thanks everyone for the feedback.

    This is only going to be a very small part of the overall ebook, simply to talk about the importance of perseverance and not giving up.

    I will definitely give credit to Napoleon, but was just wondering if it was some kind of legal requirement. But I'm pretty sure I should be OK.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Yo see rewrites of lots of things online often. The one I notice is the sales copy about 2 people meeting up after many years and the differences in their current lives. That difference comes from a choice they made years ago even though their initial paths were the same. And the difference hinges on whatever is being sold.

      I think that originally was a Wall Street journal ad, but I've seen it rewritten for dozens of products. The story about RU Darby is included in the book to illustrate a particular point, so if you rewrite that story to illustrate that point, that sounds like a really good thing.
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      • Profile picture of the author mikeink
        Why not check with the publisher.

        That way you will get the correct answer.
        It will/may save you a problem down the road.

        Copyright and syndication are 2 different animals.
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        Well let me see. OH yea need to start work on my ???????? again.
        Been working for slave wages to long.

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  • Profile picture of the author Lateef Olajide
    You may want to follow suggestions above. However, I don't think it should cause problem since the book itself is in public domain. And moreso, several stories has been rephrased in several thousands of ways.

    Anyway, do you due diligence.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebMeUp
    You will be fine if you:

    - give credit to Napoleon Hill and mention him as an author of the ideas you are going to describe in your book (this will help you avoid any copyright issues);
    - completely rewrite the text taken from the original book (thus you won't run into duplicate content issues with search engines).
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