Topic: Can Jack Legally Change Contents Under Adrian's Name?
Topic Posted by: Bevie
Date Posted: Fri Jul 18 9:25:43 2008
Additional Comments: Need some legal advice and unfortunately Mikey is too busy handling his Mother's constant problems, so I am asking, if anyone would know, is it legal to change the content of an article without the author's knowledge? Sounds like it would be huge grounds for a lawsuit. Anyone know???
Another question would be if Adrian could take legal action against Jack/Restless Style for any adverse professional ramifications that may result for Adrian due to the changes Jack made to the article under Adrian's by-line but behind his back.
I worked as a reporter for a newspaper for four years and we had an editor that, after we put the story to bed, would go back into the system and add to/embellish on what we already had written. I would see the story the next day and say to myself ''WTH!?'' This editor was notorious for twisting a source's words. Needless to say, this editor eventually was fired. That's why I got out of journalism - - too cutthroat and some editors are willing to sell papers/magazines at all cost.
Posted by: Mira Date posted: Fri Jul 18 11:25:58 2008
Message:
I agree with ingyandbert. Unless specified otherwise in the contract, Restless Style probably owns the copyright of the article as a work for hire.
Sabrina might well have grounds for libel, though. I don't remember the whole article, but I wouldn't be surprised if Victor at least tried to go that route via Michael Baldwin. It would be poor Adrian's second go-round for libel, and would really be bad for him!
Posted by: teajak Date posted: Fri Jul 18 10:58:13 2008
Message: Why do you think Jack was so anxious for Adrian to leave the country before the magazine came out and he would see the changes?
Posted by: Duffy Date posted: Fri Jul 18 9:59:44 2008
Message: The writers are not known for STRICTLY sticking to what is actually legal and not. If they want to treat us to another long, drawn out lawsuit, then they will decide it is illegal. I, for one, have seen enough of Genoa City court rooms!
Posted by: ingyandbert Date posted: Fri Jul 18 9:35:11 2008
Message: That's a bit of a grey area. The article carried Adrian's by-line but legally it's considered a ''work made for hire'' because Cowbell wrote it as an employee or contractor of RS. So legally, the rights to the article belong to RS and not Adrian. But clearly, Cowbell should have been consulted before such extensive changes were made since Jack's revisions changed the entire tone of the article.