2.2.2. I got an offer to ghostwrite academic theses. Does that make me a kind of dope dealer to the fuzz? (Natl Writers Union)
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This article is from the Natl Writers Union FAQ, by Vicki Richman nwufaq@vicric.com with numerous contributions by others.
2.2.2. I got an offer to ghostwrite academic theses. Does that make me a kind of dope dealer to the fuzz? (Natl Writers Union)
In most cases ghostwriting is legal and honorable, if
difficult, ego-bruising, and poorly rewarded. In some cases,
the *client* uses the ghostwritten work in violation of laws
and ethics governing the client.
If the client does that, it is the client who is the
violator, not the ghostwriter.
That said, it probably is not wise to respond to an
advertisement seeking ghostwriters of academic papers. If
the ghostwriter knows the client's intent to cheat, the
ghostwriter might be a collaborator in violating laws
or ethics. The ad might even be entrapment.
Slicker agencies advertise for a "research assistant," which
is a time-honored euphemism for a "ghostwriter." Call
yourself a research assistant, and anything the client does
with your work is the client's responsibility.
It is well-known that many blockbuster authors use hired
work by so-called "research assistants" on their staffs.
Such an "author" is in fact no more than an editor, handing
out assignments and assembling the work of others into a
final, best-selling version.
It is not so well-known that many academic papers are
produced the same way.
And of course the so-called "author" is virtually always the
copyright owner. Work by a "research assistant" or a
ghostwriter is work-for-hire. The ghostwriter loses all
rights if the contract is written properly.
If, however, there is no contract, or it is written badly,
the ghostwriter retains the copyright and may enforce it.
What about payment? If the client violates the contract by
failing to pay, the copyright reverts to the true human
author. If there is no contract, the true human author owns
the copyright whether or not the client pays.
Any ghostwriter should be careful to retain proof of
authorship, to be able to enforce a copyright. That may
become necessary to get paid. (In fact that scenario has
been the basis of many a murder-mystery plot.)
The National Writers Union includes ghostwriters as members
and officers, and grievance officers will support
ghostwriters. However, there is a unique problem to
ghostwriting grievances. The ghostwriter's client may also
be an NWU member. In that case, NWU grievance officers may
refrain from taking any action.
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