web copyright

General Tso · Apr 1, 2009

I have been searching the web for various questionnaires / sample questions for my story. I am creating a questionnaire or test of sorts for a character to take, so I'm writing some questions and finding examples.

If I find a good and fitting question online that has been posted as a sample question by some organization, is it copyright infringement or plagiarism to use the exact question in my story?

JustDee · Apr 1, 2009

In the most literal sense of the question, the answer would be "Yes". Even if you believe said organization may be 'plagiarizing' the example question. Truly safest stance for any published work is to err, overtly, on the side of caution.

Other things you could do:

1. Quote/cite the source if this is appropriate for your publishing venue (i.e. does it make sense or is it a commonly held practice to site or credit source materials in the type of writing you do?)
2. Write or email the source of the material you'd like to use for permission (and to be honest, some type of written release or permission is the only legal way to go)
3. Determine if the example question is in the public domain and/or rewrite the question in your own words.

Deleted member 42 · Apr 1, 2009

Re-write it in your own words.

General Tso · Apr 1, 2009

Thanks for the reply. It's for a character in my novel to take. The questions are meant to be given to her by a fictional company, so citing their actual real life source would be inappropriate and nonsensical in the fiction setting.

As far as public domain, the organizations that I am borrowing questions from are US government organizations. Think that makes the sample questionnaires public domain?

Old Hack · Apr 1, 2009

As far as public domain, the organizations that I am borrowing questions from are US government organizations. Think that makes the sample questionnaires public domain?

Definitely not. In fact, you're probably at more risk of legal action if you plagiarise that work!

web copyright

General Tso

you know you want some

JustDee

Deleted member 42

General Tso

you know you want some

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman