Nouslife: Da VInci Code -fiction writers breathe again.

09 April 2006

Da VInci Code -fiction writers breathe again.

At last the trial is concluded. Unsuprisingly for me. I couldn't see how using the results of alleged historical research could be copyright unless the authers of HBHG were willing to claim their book was also fiction [and even then it would be touch and go].

"It is unfortunate that the claimants were not willing to bask in the glow of recognition that the book gave them when it was published in 1982 and the subsequent revival of interest ... entirely as a result of DVC. The latter is of course a work of fiction and its special attractiveness is the way in which Mr Brown has put together these generalised facts and ideas into a well received thriller. By writing in such a genre he hugely increases the available audience. That is something in my view that the claimants cannot complain about. ... Mr Brown is a fiction writer. As a device to writing fiction he is perfectly entitled to dress up factual scenarios to give an illusion that supports his fiction ... He simply needs a mystery and a series of unanswered questions. He can do that without deep research and that he has done.