This blog consists of 2 parts; business and personal (from a personal and business perspective)
Part 2 – Business
Also in Dutch; CLICK HERE
Unfortunately, you often hear that 2 authors choose a (kind of) similar title for their book.
Whether consciously or not. When I had to deal with this myself, it came as a shock.
My book “Everything starts with THE EMOTIONAL INHERITANCE of our (ancestor) parents” has not been sold for quite some time. When I did some research on google, I immediately came across another book with a similar title: “EMOTIONAL INHERITANCE”.
Although my title is a bit longer, this is about the highlighted and big words in my main title, the subject that my entire book is about, namely the emotional inheritance. This is also my mission and work!
My book is “The first of his kind!”
The transmitted traumas within 3 generations are described here – they are reflected on and I provide practical tools.
Never before had I seen, heard about or read a book such as mine in terms of content and title. I was proud of it!
My book was published in 2019 and this other book was published in the Netherlands in 2023.
After I had let things sink in, I contacted the author herself. Later also with her American publisher in New York and Dutch publisher in Amsterdam. Unfortunately we couldn’t reach an agreement…it was denied.
When I asked around with publishers and a lawyer whether this was possible, the answer was that unfortunately this happens more often. The lawyer said that there is of course a ‘Title Bank’ for book titles. Here you can search whether a book title already exists before a book is published, or when you are going to think of a title for your own book. It also displays enriched title information! This is what I believe publishers and writers should always do to avoid confusion and/or conflict.
So that didn’t happen in my case.
I find it is absurd that this can happen and I know I’m not the only one. As a writer you stand with your back against the wall! So anyone can just use your title or essential (self-invented) words from it.
You also cannot register a trademark for your book title, unlike for example a magazine or blog series. You can have the function of a brand for that.
Why not for a book title, I wonder?
And why is there no copyright protection for book titles and similarities within books?
In my opinion, this right must change!
Not only is my book no longer selling, for whatever reason, but at least since that other book has been on the market. I also have another dilemma. For some time now I have been considering the idea of publishing an e-book and audiobook in Dutch and English with this subject and my title. Right now I’m wondering how…and when…
There is copyright, but in order to obtain this your title/work must be sufficiently creative. I personally think that my title and book are quite creative, but it is so complicated that as a layman you often cannot see the forest for the trees. So you (usually) need a lawyer!
As an author you do have copyright if literally entire sentences are copied.
Have you also experienced something like this or would you like to discuss it?
Let me know. Send an email to praktijkhappyworld@gmail.com
Warm regards,
Monique Angèle van de Laar
Part 1 is about the same topic but from a personal perspective. CLICK HERE
Source:
- Click here; Charlotte’s Law about copyright. I have also consulted Charlotte.
- The photo on this blog also comes from Charlotte’s Law and with her permission I was allowed to post it. Click on photo to enlarge. The photo contains all kinds of terms with which a publisher or author can give all kinds of excuses to use your book title or content! You can buy these cards at cost price via link: Charlottes law – smoesjesbingokaart