My published piece appeared online, unpaid - Freelance UK Forums

Francesca · 05-26-2009, 11:11 AM

I`d really appreciate some advice. I had a piece published in 2003 in Catholic Life, usual first British rights, was paid, all OK. I write under the name Sara Eliot. Then forgot about it.
Have just discovered it word-for-word online on
TimeTravel-Britain.com: Your Guide to Historic Britain dated 21 May 09, giving the right byline and pic credits, but saying copyright Sara Eliot 2008. The real copyright date was 2003.
This is the first time this has happened to me - they haven`t said where it was published first, so presumably nicked it.
I`m fed up because was just getting it ready to try to flog to a US paper - don`t know if I can now. (I found out just by chance -googling my writing name.)
Any ideas, anyone? Otherwise I suppose I can just add it to my cuttings file, but don`t feel philosophical about it just yet.
This is precisely why I don`t try to sell online stuff - too hard to trace....
Francesca

sarahsrays · 05-27-2009, 11:10 AM

Hi Francesca

Sorry to hear about this situation.

I suppose it will depend on what kind of agreement you had with the original client? Did you have a contract/agreement about rights?

Sarah

Lupita · 06-08-2009, 10:45 AM

Hi Francesca,

What an irritating and all too common situation!

FreelanceUK has tried to help by getting a legal expert to offer you some guidance. Please see the FreelanceUK front-page for his response:
Freelancers' Questions: how do I claim for my article? :: Freelance UK

Let me know if the answer was helpful and how the situation with the rogue publisher stands today; thanks,

05-26-2009, 11:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Francesca New Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1	My published piece appeared online, unpaid I`d really appreciate some advice. I had a piece published in 2003 in Catholic Life, usual first British rights, was paid, all OK. I write under the name Sara Eliot. Then forgot about it. Have just discovered it word-for-word online on TimeTravel-Britain.com: Your Guide to Historic Britain dated 21 May 09, giving the right byline and pic credits, but saying copyright Sara Eliot 2008. The real copyright date was 2003. This is the first time this has happened to me - they haven`t said where it was published first, so presumably nicked it. I`m fed up because was just getting it ready to try to flog to a US paper - don`t know if I can now. (I found out just by chance -googling my writing name.) Any ideas, anyone? Otherwise I suppose I can just add it to my cuttings file, but don`t feel philosophical about it just yet. This is precisely why I don`t try to sell online stuff - too hard to trace.... Francesca

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05-27-2009, 11:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
sarahsrays Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 54	Hi Francesca Sorry to hear about this situation. I suppose it will depend on what kind of agreement you had with the original client? Did you have a contract/agreement about rights? Sarah

06-08-2009, 10:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lupita Super Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 108	Hi Francesca, What an irritating and all too common situation! FreelanceUK has tried to help by getting a legal expert to offer you some guidance. Please see the FreelanceUK front-page for his response: Freelancers' Questions: how do I claim for my article? :: Freelance UK Let me know if the answer was helpful and how the situation with the rogue publisher stands today; thanks,