Thanks for the clarification, Troll. I was aware of that kind of thing on songs, stories, etc., but I'm not sure it holds on newspaper articles. I guess it might depend on the nature of the articles.

I've done a little freelance work for music newspapers, some auto racing copy and for papers I've been working for in other capacities, but nothing I would have any reason to protect. Everything else I've written has been as a staff writer for a newspaper.

All that said, I still don't think any consideration should override a paper's right to use or not use writers, even if it's just because the person has bad breath. Did Picasso sue any of his patrons because they didn't want to buy any more of his work? And if he tried, wouldn't the person have the right to decide to never buy another?

david