(Untitled)

[ginny_weasley31]

So, they're looking to compile lists of abandoned stories at Potter Place. Which... really seems stupid to me. It didn't bother me until I saw that a few people don't care if they get permission from the original authors. Or that someone else believes that if they don't hear a response from the author than it's implied permission.

Comments

[sbrande]

Oh how disturbing. You are right to have your say.

Loves you, Sonia :)

[ginny_weasley31]

Personally, I think the entire thing is ridiculous.

And I'm more than a little bit annoyed.

[scatteredlogic]

Taking over an incomplete story from another writer with their express permission is one thing - that's really between the original writer and the second - but I'd have a problem with someone taking over an incomplete story without the original writer's permission. Yes, it's fanfic, and yes, we're borrowing JKRs characters and settings, and maybe that seems hypocritical to feel that way, but ~shrug~ I do.

That's even before you get to the logistics of how to merge the two parts of the story so that it appears to have been written in the same style or how to handle adding in or deleting foreshadowed plot points or how to list in in an archive. As you said, it would just seem easier to take the idea and write your own.

[harmony_bites]

Yes, it's fanfic, and yes, we're borrowing JKRs characters and settings, and maybe that seems hypocritical to feel that way, but ~shrug~ I do.

I feel it's different. I've even read legal defenses of "derivative works" written w/o permission--like The Wind Done Gone case. (Not that I'm saying it would hold up--but there's a case to be made) I think if you write an original story based on a shared word that's one thing, but to take a story written by someone else and completing it--especially when the author is alive and kicking. Finishing Sandition is one thing. Finishing say Falling Further In...

[shiv5468]

Or Seven Preposterous things.

[harmony_bites]

I don't even know where to begin. I have a WIP that hasn't been updated for a couple of years, and I'm considering abandoning. And if someone tried to "complete it" for me. Well, I'd feel violated. Plagiarized. It's one thing to play in another's world. It's no common in HP, but in Trek people wrote riffs off other's fic, mostly with permission, but not always. And I generally considered it a great compliment. I twitched at one done w/o permission that did something to the character I never would, but I wouldn't object. But a riff or one-off sequel is a very different thing than taking my words, my story, and then forcing an unwanted collaborator on me.

I feel pretty helpless about it. There's no way I'd even get near Potter Place to object. That's not a place I consider friendly territory. But I'd rather pull down my fic entirely than allow that.

[harmony_bites]

LOL. I'm afraid not. Although some tell me my mouth can be a deadly weapon... *sharpens fangs*

[renitaleandra]

Two things; 1) Finishing a work WITHOUT the authors permission is lame as hell, and 2) Plagiarists should be shunned from fandom and I'm not sure why the PotterPlace peeps don't seem to mind this MAJOR detail.

Just...no, people. NO.

[ginny_weasley31]

1) Yes, agreed. Really, the only way to do it is email an author and ask to use their plot in your own version which you plan to finish... it would be consistent that way.

2) Agreed. At the very least, they shouldn't be trusted... especially since this wasn't a single incident.

[celisnebula]

*gives Ginny a hug*

She hasn't seamlessly integrated herself into the fandom... she's still watched. Thing is, if she is still doing it, she's just gotten better at hiding it, cause google-foo fails on a lot of what she has posted.

And I agree with many of your sentiments... I think they should know 100% whether stories are abandoned or not and need to get permission before they start on their project.

[ginny_weasley31]

*hugs you back*

I know that I'd love to see some fics completed, but really... there are so many stylistic differences between authors that things couldn't be seamless. I'd prefer a rewrite of a similar plot.

[celisnebula]

*nods* I do completely understand... and I'd admit, I'd be very upset if some authors wanted to remake stuff like "Snape's Redemption" simply because the author took it down (I know different from being a WIP abandoned, but I've heard some newbies contemplating this for stories removed).