6 ms·
If he didn't get permission, that would be copyright infringement, right?
by Flimm 11y ago
If he didn't get permission, that would be copyright infringement, right?
- SmellyGeekBoy 11y agoIANAL but I think fanfic is fine as long as it's clearly presented as such and no money changes hands.
- olavk 11y agoActually, it is quite a grey area. Fanfic/spec scripts could be considered derivative works and therefore infringe on the copyright on the original work, but there are provisions for fair use and parody.
- amelius 11y agoThis could be entertaining. They should write a script about the lawsuit.
- amorphid 11y agoHow does one parody a parody? By being serious?
- njloof 11y agoBy founding a startup.
- Bahamut 11y agoIn practice, companies do not tend to go after these people since there is the risk of an uproar and it does no harm to the company typically. In addition, the risk of an expensive lawsuit is usually not worthwhile on the companies' end, especially given the pros/cons
- MichaelGG 11y agoAnd poorly understood! George Martin of Game of Thrones writes that he's against fanfic. Because if he allows it, he can lose his copyright. Then he goes on about Tarzan, and how since people made unauthorized movies on the theme, the author of Tarzan dies poor. Plus the standard "I made them no one else can touch", which is a valid personal feeling, but little basis for law.
- GFK_of_xmaspast 11y agoEdgar Rice Burroughs wrote and sold an incredible number of books, and his estate is still actively involved in managing his works : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Rice_Burroughs,_Inc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Rice_Burroughs,_Inc.
- gdulli 11y agoWriting unsolicited spec scripts is a standard way to break into television writing. It's a pretty low rung on the ladder because it doesn't take much creativity. The tone and the characters are already established; you're actually doing it wrong if you have them speak or behave in a manner other than what the audience is used to. It sounds like it would be fun but if you want to get hired you have to suppress the urge to be clever.
- DonHopkins 11y agoWell he was certainly true to the established characters' personalities and ways of speaking: DINESH Isn't it weird how fun it sounds to get laid off? Like, everyone wants to get laid. And everyone wants to get off. But nobody wants to get laid off. GILFOYLE I wouldn't mind your mom's pink slip.
- gamblor956 11y agoWriting a spec script is legally permissible, and is not a violation of copyright. Distributing a spec script gets into fair use issues--submitting it to the show producers, or using it a sample to get a screenwriting gig are generally acceptable. Distributing it online generally crosses the boundary into non-permissible uses. (Meaning that it is an actionable copyright violation which the copyright owners could choose to pursue and would likely prevail in court.)
- jrockway 11y ago> Meaning that it is an actionable copyright violation which the copyright owners could choose to pursue and would likely prevail in court. Care to cite some case law?
- gamblor956 11y agoGoogle is your friend. This is quite literally the first result that pops up: http://www.lacba.org/Files/LAL/Vol36No3/3040.pdf http://www.lacba.org/Files/LAL/Vol36No3/3040.pdf