An ethics question

[sigsauerprinces]

I don't think you should publish them. If I were one of the women who'd written them, I'd be pissed if it was published. They most likely wrote what they wrote with the understanding that you, and only you, would read it. It doesn't matter if you take out any identifying details - it's still their private thoughts, being posted up for the world to read, without their permission. I wouldn't do it.

 

[BeachGurl2]

Like Snowy, I've had one of my stories stolen by the same site. Yeah, it irritates me. But it's the internet. That's one of the hazards of posting anything here. I have a few pics up on lit as well. Once I let them go, I no longer have control over them. I get what everyone is saying about it being private, and personally, I would get permission before posting them because that's the kind of person I am. However, the fact of the matter is that once it leaves your hands, you truly have no control over what happens to it - words, pictures, whatever. And ultimately, Prof Bill will decide what his own moral code dictates.

 

[snowy ciara]

I'm gonna attempt to clarify myself, but I've been grading freshman English papers tonight and my brain is still wandering lost in WhatTheFuckLand... Where they speak Anglish and the Victor of Wakefield burned incest in the Victorage. (Which is news to me, but apparently I've never read the Victor of Wakefield.)

I knew when I posted my stories here, that I might get jacked to another site. I willingly took that risk, but I felt the risk was somewhat mitigated by the fact that I'm not such a good writer of erotic fiction and that Laurel and Manu do try to protect the writers here. The issue with the erotic.org assholes is they're based in mainland China and there's not a whole lot they can do at this point. But in this case, I knew there was a chance that I could get jacked, but I willingly chose to take that risk.

Did Prof Bill's submissives know that he might want to edit and submit their writing somewhere? Did they choose to take this risk? If they did not, (and from his post, it seems that they didn't. If they did then there is an implied consent issue.) then IMO, he does not have the right to publish them. It's stealing. If I were one of his former subs and found my work posted and not attributed to me, I'd be out for blood. I have had Doms that I know post things that I've written via regular print media. But they either told me that anything I sent them could get printed, or they asked to write something for them, or they asked me if they could print it. But again, I knew beforehand that these items could appear in print.

 

[VelvetDarkness]

As for the ethical implications. Personally, I can't see where there would or should be any negative issues involved here. You've already stated that you would be removing any identifying information. These letters were given to you. Yes, they contain personal stories, but who is going to be able to identify the writer if you've removed all identifying information? I don't really see this any differently than me writing a story about an encounter with someone and submitting it to lit. Sure, it's my writing at that point, but the story would be his as well. As long as identifying information is removed, I just don't see the issue.

Yep, those are my feelings exactly

 

[tanyachrs]

Well, it would sure piss me off.

 

[Aeroil]

If I were one of his former subs and found my work posted and not attributed to me, I'd be out for blood.

BLOOD FOR INK!!!


....sorry.

 

[CutieMouse]

The only way I can see even possibly getting around the gray ethics of the situation, would be to not just change names, but use the letters/writing assignments as research material, and re-write every single page. That means nowhere in the new work, would more than 3 words in a row, repeat what the original author wrote. At *that* point, it would be the work of the OP, and his to publish. However, if one of the ladies who wrote the initial pieces, were to randomly decide to Google a 3-4 word phrase from her initial writing, and find "his" net-published story, IMO she'd have a right (and reason) to be a tad bit upset, and come searching for financial compensation for her writing.

 

[Prof Bill]

Thanks

First, I want to thank all of you for your thoughtful and intelligent responses, and I include the private responses in my appreciation. If anyone had any doubts, it seems clear that at least some of the readers/participants at Literotica are highly intelligent, well-versed in the ways of the world, helpful, and willing to share. I'm grateful for all.

Some responses to what was written by others:

1. I don't think there's a legal question in this (although, of course, I could be wrong). I have written things for others, as these subs did for me, and I know that once the others paid me and took possession of what I'd written I no longer owned it or controlled it. (Would any of you like a reprise of some of my advertising "hits"? <VBG> How about some of my test questions? And so on.)

2. These were all clearly intended to please me because they were being done to fulfill an assignment I had given. It's just my luck that they are better than the papers Snowy Ciara was reading (the Victor of Wakefield might be a good book if someone would like to write it!). How I chose to use them for my pleasure was up to me. Accordingly, I think they belong to me.

3. Despite this, I think the trust issue is paramount. They were not written with the idea that they might see the light of day. The subs would not have been surprised if I had shared them with some of our (repeat, "our") friends, but greatly wider distribution would, indeed, surprise them. I can't predict whether or not it would please them, piss them off, or cause them to contact an attorney. I can't even predict whether or not they would read them on here. Nevertheless, one of the elements of being a Dom is to protect the sub from disagreeable circumstnces and it is at least possible that they might look on publishing their writings as a disagreeable circumstance.

4. Although I suppose "trust" gets close to it, I'm surprised no one brought up "honor." For me, one of the most attractive aspects of D/s is the honor that is shared among practitioners. I've always felt that if the world practiced a similar type of honor it would be a much better place. For me, the ethcial question really asks what is honorable in this situation.

A. If I was going to receive some kind of remuneration (tangible or otherwise) for publishing these assignments, then it would clearly (to me, at least) be a dishonorable act.

B. Publishing them because I thought they might provide enjoyable and beneficial lessons for both Doms and subs seems to put the action in a different light (again, to me).

So, with these initial responses noted, I again thank all of you for thinking deeply and writing well. I'm not going to publish them.

If anyone else wishes to comment, I'll certainly read what they write, but I think this discussion can end now, can't it?

Oh, and the sign-off "Yours in leather" comes from two good friends of mine. It might be original to them or they might have found it elsewhere. They have not objected to my using it and I'm sure they won't object to anyone else's using it.

I hope you all have pleasant days, no matter which end of the whip attracts you most.

Prof Bill

 

[Marquis]

Research is slow going as I don't have access to the same resources as I did when I was in law school.

If something comes up I will post it.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I think if you used them as reasearch material to create your own essay on Ds that it would be OK... BUT i don't think that just publishing them is etichal.