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Posted: 02-09-2010 23:50 Post subject: Using the word forteana in a book title.

I am currently writing e books on the paranormal and unexplained. I never mention anything about it on here because that is part of my business and this is my pleasure, and I never mix the two. The question I have is; is it acceptable to use the word forteana in a book title or would that incur copyright protection?

Thank you in advance. Very Happy

Posted: 03-09-2010 03:38 Post subject:

My (avowedly non-legal) opinion is that it would be fine. Think of the shelf upon shelf of books with words like Freudian / Victoriana / Nietzschean etc in the title.

Also, the term was probably (please somebody correct me if I'm wrong) coined well after Fort's hay-day (and probably after his death) by persons other than himself. I can't, therefore, imagine anyone holding a copyright over it.

A useful double-check might be to search for other titles that include the word: it wouldn't be a guarantee, but it would be a firm indicator.

Posted: 03-09-2010 13:08 Post subject:

Thank you for your help. I would not wish to mislead people into thinking what I had written had anything to do with the Fortean Times. I shall take your advice and have a look around.