Should I ask?

designgirl · Jul 23, 2006

Hi, newbie here and newbie about writing books

I am writing a nonfiction guide about how to use a certain software (lets call it "XXCAD"), something like "XXCAD for dummies"

Should I contact the manufacturer of the XXCAD software and ask for authorization?
As it is graphic software, I will include many graphics and screen images, showing the steps, results, etc. Are these elements property of the manufacturer. In other words, should I ask for permission to write the book or show the images?

Thank you in advance!

aka eraser · Jul 23, 2006

Yes, yes and yes.

Cooperation with the manufacturer means you won't get sued and, as a bonus, if permission is granted, they'll likely give you access to insider info that could make the project an easier sell.

Good luck.

alleycat · Jul 23, 2006

Hi designgirl,

Glad you decided to sign up here.

ac

designgirl · Jul 23, 2006

aka eraser, thank you for the info!!

alleycat, glad to meet you again!

dg

pconsidine · Jul 24, 2006

Out of curiousity -

Are you writing under contract or are you going to write it first and market it after?

designgirl · Jul 24, 2006

Nope, I am not under contract
I'm checking editor / agent options

dg

pconsidine · Jul 25, 2006

Cool. I only asked because you will definitely need to have all the details tied up as part of your proposal. In addition to all the other ridiculous hoops nonfiction publishers make authors jump through these days, of course.

Good luck with it.

designgirl · Jul 25, 2006

Thank you, I will post how things are going!

dg

mothermary · Aug 1, 2006

I had a friend who wrote a book about using Windows Movie Maker two years ago and he wrote to MS asking about permissions, and all they required was for him to make sure that he clearly showed in the book that MS and WMM were trademarks of the MS Corporation. That's all there was to it for him, and he had screen shots all over the place. The book still sells.

Jamesaritchie · Aug 1, 2006

Book

You do not need permission to write about a product. You don't think all the writers who have written books about Microsoft software had permission, do you. There certainly wouldn't be any negative books out about MS software if the writer had to get permission.

Contacting teh manufactorer is a good thing because they might give you the latest software, and they might provide some information you don't already have. But you certainly do not need permission to write any book.

Tish Davidson · Aug 2, 2006

Jamesaritchie said:
You do not need permission to write about a product. You don't think all the writers who have written books about Microsoft software had permission, do you. There certainly wouldn't be any negative books out about MS software if the writer had to get permission.

Contacting teh manufactorer is a good thing because they might give you the latest software, and they might provide some information you don't already have. But you certainly do not need permission to write any book.

What about using screen shots? Do you need permission for that? Is it like letters where you own the letter but the writer of the letter controls the content and how it is used/published?

designgirl · Aug 4, 2006

Thank you for the feedback!

Actually I use the screenshots in my website, and as a matter of fact, I never asked for permission.

Anyway, I will contact them as soon as I get an agent or a publisher
The first and only experience was dissapointing :-(

Thank you again!

d.g.

Should I ask?

designgirl

aka eraser

Fish Whisperer

alleycat

Still around

designgirl

pconsidine

Too Adorkable for Words

designgirl

pconsidine

Too Adorkable for Words

designgirl

mothermary

Jamesaritchie

Tish Davidson

designgirl