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

[shinypebble]

I remember writing about an article on Wired before about the doujin industry in Japan, and the cautious stalemate between doujin artists and the mangakas?

A lot of mangakas came from the doujin industry too, so the consensus was not to pursue legal action until a related issue gets out of hand, like the Doraemon ending doujin that sold hundred of thousands of copies. In other words, common sense just dictates not to rock the proverbial boat, as both sides stand to gain.

OTW will burn if they continue to push, that much is sure.

[cugami]

Such a serious reply... lol

Fandom = free marketing, seriously.

I do agree on the burning OTW.

[kitsune_jade]

OTW == Oh, Trainwreck!!

If OTW carries with it too much baggage, I think it would remove the fun in fandom. And isn't enjoyment one of the main points of being in a fandom?

[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).