My Self Improvement

So Tir asked:


This might seem a bit odd, but I have often wondered, with the almost identical nature of various recent and time-tested self-improvement materials out there, why haven’t self-help authors, motivational speakers, or even Scientology sued one another to pieces over Intellectual property or copyright violations, et cetera? Does this mean anyone can all but mimick Joe Guru’s latest / greatest book or technique without fear of legal repercussion?

I understand that it is commonly accepted knowledge that very few truly “novel” concepts emerge in personal development tools. The question is, with the exception of the recent lawsuit over “The Secret”, why is it that such similar materials like self-help books do not violate some legal scenario?

Most thorough reply wins. Many thanks.

YOUNG

catweazle asked:


[and i'm not counting the healthy bank balances of any well off self help authors amongst you!]

or do you forget all the helpful ideas and your own good intentions, the day after you put the book down.

STEPHAN

So Tir asked:


How do self-help authors avoid lawsuits for infringement (and such) when the material is always basically the same stuff. Is it the re-hashing of stale material that makes it somehow legally ‘pure’ to sell? Go deep and win points.

TAMEKA