The loss of innocence, when “painted wings and giants’ rings made ways for other toys” is the central theme of this festival of children’s dream world adventures and the harsh reality of adult life.
Painted Wings and Giants’ Rings is available through Amazon.Com and its Kindle Store, Amazon.co.uk and its Kindle Store, Barnes & Noble, smashwords.com, the Apple Bookstore, and any other good bookstore.
There is much to say or write about copyright infringement these days, especially since the Internet makes copying and pasting of intellectual property so very easy. Many bloggers and writers are not aware of the dangers that come with uninhibited copying, and they believe, they are protected by a shield of ignorance, believing their writings will not be detected in the vast realm of the Internet. In all consequence, they are mostly right, because most authors, publishers, magazines, newspapers, etc. are not concerned with actively scanning the Internet for blatant infringements of their copyrights.
However, this is not an article on copyright infringement, but more about preventing problems with copyright infringements in my newest novel Painted Wings and Giants’ Rings. In all consequence, Painted Wings and Giants’ Rings, a line take from the song Puff the Magic Dragon, is only a working title, because I may infringe the copyright held by Leonard Lipton (who wrote the lyrics) and Peter Yarrow (who composed the music) by using that title.
In an attempt to prevent any future law suits, I am in the process of contacting various copyright holders and get their permission to use their copyrighted characters, such as, for example, Thomas the Tank Engine. I am also actively contacting Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow, because the current form of my novel includes references to their song and it uses Puff the magic dragon as one of the characters in the story line. So far I have not received any answer from them, but I will keep on trying.
However, just this morning I had my first major setback: I am not allowed using Thomas the Tank Engine or any other references to the island of Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt, and other characters related to Thomas & Friends. Of course, I can mention any of them in passing, and that would constitute fair use, but I have been using Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt as active characters.
Let me quote the response by Juliette Bearman, European & AsiaPac Director, Legal & Business Affairs, HIT Entertainment in the United Kingdom: ”I confirm that the brand owner and copyright owner of Thomas & Friends is Gullane (Thomas) Limited – a wholly owned subsidiary of HIT Entertainment Limited. Any use of Thomas & Friends would require our specific written approval.”
When I asked for permission, mentioning a small print run, the answer was: “I’m afraid that permission to use and/or reference our brand in this context is not granted. I wish you luck with your book anyway.”
I am sure, they would have granted permission and asked for royalties had I mentioned an initial print run of 50,000, which is, needless to say, not the case. After all, this is not about protecting copyright or intellectual property; this is about profit.
Nevertheless, after the initial disappointment, I am already constructing a re-construction of my novel in my mind, also due to a little help from my friends. Thanks are due to Alistair Kerr who recommended alternative classic English literature such as “The Little Blue Engine,” which was a spiritual predecessor of Thomas the Tank Engine, and his amiable driver, Mr. Tups. Another option is using references to A Traveller from Altruria by W. D. Howells, which would add a slight political aspect to the story line.
In all consequence, I might have to do the same with Puff the magic dragon, but I am still hoping that Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow will have mercy with an (widely unknown) author who writes novels for fun and not for profit.
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Painted Wings and Giants’ Rings
A Novel by Wilfried F. Voss
The loss of innocence, when “painted wings and giants’ rings made ways for other toys” is the central theme of this festival of children’s dream world adventures against the harsh reality of adult life.
In his newest novel, Wilfried F. Voss delivers a unique and insightful view into a child’s world and how it relates to the harsh reality of adult life, in this case the life of Roger Wilkinson, a businessman who is haunted by childhood memories and the ultimate fear of mistreating his own children. Wilkinson is in a coma after a car accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike, and he does not respond to physical stimulation. The doctor, assuming psychological issues, describes his condition as dwelling in a dark place. Consequently, Roger’s children, Patrick and Siobhan, decide to rescue their father from the dark place and bring him to Never-Neverland, because, in their view, nobody dies in Never-Neverland.
Painted wings, childhood’s great defender,
And giants’ rings are such great splendor.
Keep these treasures, don’t grow old
In a world of tears and full of cold.
- The Faery’s Silly Song
Painted Wings and Giants’ Rings is available through Amazon.Com and its Kindle Store, Amazon.co.uk and its Kindle Store, Barnes & Noble, smashwords.com, the Apple Bookstore, and any other good bookstore.
