WTF

[cugami]

A friend of mine randomly asked me a question, "So what is your opinion on the organization for transformative works?"

It was met with long silence because for a while, I had to think what it was she was actually asking. I never did follow, so I had to ask what 'transformative works' wasSo she gave me this link

Comments

[franzeska]

*wanders by from google blogsearch*

For what it's worth, fanfic, fandom, and fan behavior in general are already the subject of plenty of academic articles. Academics don't just write about highbrow culture, and there are tons of journals that already accept articles on the social implications of Buffy and so on, so that part of the OTW's goals really shouldn't be controversial.

IMO, if you assume that fanfic is illegal, then you're not free to read and write what you want. There's a big difference between "illegal" and "not ok to profit from".

[cugami]

Damnit. I had a long reply and LJ ate it. Grrr. So I'll try this again.

Fandom can fight for the right of fair-use, to a certain degree. Unless some author (i.e. Anne Rice) makes it otherwise. However, on a VERY technical level, fanworks are illegal. We are using someone else's work, after all. The only reason we get away with is because the REAL copyright holders let us. They even encourage us through conventions. Besides, it's free marketing and very flattering on their part that there's a fanbase (aka imitation is the best form of flattery). Nonetheless, it is still tolerance that we are able to enjoy ourselves. Between us and the copyright holders, the fans are the beggars. The whole 'customer is always right' doesn't apply, either. But there is respect between the fanbase and the creators. They respect that we are having fun. We respect that everything belongs to them and what we do are mere imitations and likeness

[franzeska]

Note the difference between taking an academic approach on the study OF a social and cultural phenomenon and taking the legal humdrum on legalizing (in short, copyright and trademark and all that brain-breaking and costly court law) fanwork.

I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at here. AFAIK, the journal is going to publish the usual sort of articles about fandom. It's not part of the legal stuff.

[cugami]

If the academic journals will be on the study of the development of fandom (if anyone can even trace its very start), it's a curious study and might even be a good read. I'm differentiating between a study and a propaganda to legitimize fanworks (which is what OTW seems intent on doing).

[franzeska]

Err... The website currently describes the journal as follows:

"Transformative Works and Cultures is a peer-reviewed academic journal that seeks to promote scholarship on fanworks and practices. The first issue will be published in late 2008."

Like any other academic journal, it will have articles on a variety of topics. The post giving information about the journal committee is here. It says, among other things

[cugami]

Before anything else... you are trolling my LJ because...?

I'm not sure where you got the idea that it was going to be a vehicle for propaganda.

The whole OTW is a propaganda. The fact that there's "legal assistance" there alone is dubious enough. If it's archiving people wanted, there are tons of archives that already welcome several different fandoms. If it's all the censorship and copyright issues (re: LJ), I may not agree with LJ but LJ is a private enterprise and they own the server where we do nothing but amuse ourselves. We comply to their rules if we want to stay. That's how companies work.

So I will repeat this for the last time: OTW is an unnecessary and excessive attempt of fans to be "taken seriously". Something that doesn't really need a 'fight'. Lots of more important things to do than worry about whether some person is insulting how I like personA and personB together and they're both gay and underage.

[franzeska]

I wasn't trying to troll your journal. Sorry.