Yes. Crossword Man retains all rights to the Sympathy software, word lists,
website design, etc., but any puzzle you make, even one made with the
Fill functions in Sympathy, is your original puzzle and thus you have a
presumptive copyright in that puzzle. Once you write the clues, the puzzle is
particularly unique to you, whether you write straight "definition"
clues, or more inventive "cryptic" clues.
Two notes from our Legal Department: First, a grid created solely using the
Fill functions may not actually rise to the level of original creation
necessary for a copyright to attach. That's not to say that Crossword Man has
some rights in such a puzzle and you would not, just that it might be thought
to be unoriginal and thus uncopyrightable. Put in any amount of original
material (specific entries, clues, etc.), and you're sure to have an original
puzzle that is presumptively copyrighted. Second, some publications will
require you to sign over the all rights in the puzzle to them at the time of
sale. Check the contract language carefully if you have any questions about
that. Again, Crossword Man has no rights in that puzzle, so the only question
would be whether the publication buys all the rights with the puzzle, or you
have retained some rights to the puzzle even after publication.
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