Make Ghostwriting ILLEGAL Across World!

In one of my previous blogs, I proposed that the Certificate of Inventorship is NOT enough! Not only that certificate should include the details of the contribution made by every Inventor, but the same procedure be applied for whilst filling the Declaration of Inventorship. Of course, and it is absolutely acceptable and correct when the Inventors are bound by Employer-Employee agreements, Contracts, which rightfully prohibits them to claim for the same invention. BUT, in the invention, one should know exactly what the contribution of each cited individual is. No more. No less!

The same analogy I’m using with respect for Ghostwriting; albeit now, expanding its scope, making even any contract made with the Ghostwriter, void or void-ab-initio. Or make a provision that the Author of the Book who took the help of any Ghostwriter, must mention in the Book, as who exactly has written the Book.

This practice of someone else writing the entire book, and then certain individuals claiming for Authorship is absolutely unethical and should be made illegal. Even in case of the autobiographies, or, Text Books, wherein help is taken from the Ghostwriters, Interns etc., for writing the entire manuscripts, and then the names of the Non-Authors are being published as Main Authors, is repulsive; even if attractive money has been paid to the Ghostwriter by the proposed false Author.

Albeit, no where any provision is defined for the rights of the Ghostwriters, neither in BERNE, TRIPS, WTO, nor in any of the territorial laws (as per my knowledge and belief); wherein even at the time of filing of the Application, only the names of the Authors, Owners, Producers, Artists etc. are required. My proposal is, in terms even of the Ownership; any false Author who took the help of the Ghostwriter to publish the Book in his/her name, should only be allowed to become Owner of the Work by Assignment or Inheritance from the Ghostwriter and that Deed be filed with the Registrar; and not by mere paying to the Ghostwriter. Without the assignment or inheritance, this entire transaction should be treated as if asking someone else to sit in the examination, and then whether passed or not, claiming to the rightful candidate!

 Thus, make Ghostwriting Illegal all across World!😊

© Pranav Chaturvedi