Consolidating All the Groups into One - Fan Fiction

[bboyminn]

--- Susan Albrecht <susiequsie23 at ...> wrote:
>
> Brian:
> > > ...
> > > 
> > > At the moment, if I am correct Off Topic includes HP 
> > > fanfics which doesn't seem very Off Topic to me.
> > > Perhaps allow fanfics into main or have a separate group
> > > for fanfics?
> 
> Catlady:
> > I vote for allowing Fanfic discussion into Main List.
> > 
> 
> SSSusan:
> Personally, I would detest having fanfic discussion at Main.
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan
>


Just my opinion.

I don't think any HPFGU groups should allow the PUBLICATION of
fan fiction. I think at best, any fan fictions being discussed
should be hosted somewhere else and only linked to. 

I think, even though JKR tolerates it, there are some issues
around copyright and trademark, and while JKR may be tolerant
Warner is not. 

Warner threatened to sue a woman because she was hosting a
Harry Potter party in her home. Many fan groups have been
forbidden to advertise anything having to do with Harry
Potter. They are still allowed to have the fan gatherings
and conventions, but they can't directly reference 'Harry
Potter' or advertise any Harry Potter trademarked or 
copyrighted names...such as Slytherin. 

I assume once the convention is underway, in the internal 
seminars and discussion, they can say what they like. 

I think for any of our groups to allow the actual publication
of fan fiction would lead to trouble down the road. One simple
unsubstantiated complaint from Warner would have the offending
group deleted without warning, and the complete historical
archive of discussions would be lost.

I think brief quotes within the bounds of 'fair use' should be
allowed to help clarify a point of discussion. Just as we
would allow a brief quote from the original books. 

But I think, in the long run, it would be a mistake of our
groups to allow the publication of fan fiction. 

Just thought I would through that out there. 

Steve/bluewizard