rlab.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com a écrit :
> Hi everybody,
> I'm a novice novel writer. I'm actually writing a science fiction story
> and wish to use the name of Isaac Asimov as the name of a space ship.
>
> Could anyone please tell me if I have to ask for a particular
> permission to Asimov's family o whatever?
>
> thanks in advance
> Sergio
I agree, you certainly do not need their permission. Indeed, you could
freely use any character's name or invented name such as Trantor found
in Asimov's work in any fashion you might desire, provided only you do
not adhere so closely to the original plot that it might be construed
as an adaptation. It is not always understood that copyright does not
cover names or ideas or 'future worlds', but only the actual words
used, in the sequence that they are used. Plot and adaptations is
something of a grey area, I believe, but you would have to adhere
pretty closely to the original plot before there would be a problem.
The Asimov family has given their blessing to the 'three B's' trilogy,
but this is only a sales gimmick, by no meanst a legal requirement.
Anyone is perfectly free to set whatever novel or story he pleases in
the Foundation universe, for example, without asking permission from
anyone. You could for example, write a novella about Hober Mallow, and
you could publish it without permission and without payment of
royalities to Asimov's heirs, provided only that your novella had it's
own plot, and did not simply retell _The Merchant Princes_ alias _The
Big and the LIttle_. At least, this is my understanding. A publisher
could doubtless advise you with more finality.
Most writers of course consider it beneath their dignity to adopt
another's universe,, but there is no legal prohibition against doing so.
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