Larry Townsend made a presentation to the Tri-Valley Branch of the California Writers Club, entitled “Writers’ Legal Know-How.” The event was held on June 18, 2016 at the Four Points Hotel in Pleasanton. Topics covered for the gathering of both fiction and nonfiction writers included publishing contracts (what to include, what to avoid), literary agency agreements, copyright infringement, and fair use or not of photographs and similar materials created by known or anonymous third parties. Hint: Even if it’s an old photograph (say, under 100 years), and there is no attribution or copyright notice, don’t assume it’s not protected by copyright. Under the 1976 Copyright Act, ownership is vested in the author of any work upon its creation.
