[HPforGrownups] Questions for Jo

[Jen Faulkner]

No: HPFGUIDX 14051

On Sat, 10 Mar 2001, Scott wrote:

> Also someone, I might, should ask if she's ever read PoU, ASA, TIP, 
> DD and other wonderful fanfics...

We have actual legal experts on here who're undoubtedly more qualified
than I to answer this, but my understanding from other fandoms is that
the people involved in the show (book, movie, etc.) *can't* read fanfic
(and definitely can't admit to it if they have), due to the horrid mess
that would result if they subsequently used an idea that had appeared in
fanfic?  And drawing TPTB's attention to fanfic is probably never a good
idea -- we don't really want to see a court test of its legality...  
I'm not saying that JKR would sue (I doubt she would), but WB and
Scholastic inter alios might decide to take the cease and desist letter
route...

--jen :)

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