Question:
What should one be careful of when writing play scripts? May I use a core idea I read in a book? Expand a short story? Can anyone copyright an era in history - just by being the first to write a script on that area? How different does my script have to be from another to avoid halachic issues? Is it enough to change some scenes? What if I read the original script but feel that it is not usable? May I then go and write a complete original script although I'm obviously inspired by the ideas in the original script? What if the original script is based on a widely sold book with no contract or understanding between the book author and scriptwriter? May one write a script based on a book? Please clarify with as much detail as possible. Thank you!!
Answer:
What should one be careful of when writing play scripts? May I use a core idea I read in a book? Expand a short story? Can anyone copyright an era in history - just by being the first to write a script on that area? How different does my script have to be from another to avoid halachic issues? Is it enough to change some scenes? What if I read the original script but feel that it is not usable? May I then go and write a complete original script although I'm obviously inspired by the ideas in the original script? What if the original script is based on a widely sold book with no contract or understanding between the book author and scriptwriter? May one write a script based on a book?
Thank you!!
Answer:
Hello,
It is permitted to read a core idea in a book and expound on it. Being that you ae not copying the play, rather a basic idea, it would be permitted from a halachic perspective.
Best wishes
