Morgan DawnNov 25, 2022

Context: fan writers have been offering their #fanfic in printed format. Some via 3rd party printers, some simply formatting fic allowing you to print.

A group of #Destiel #Supernatural fans have formed & written a how to guide to impersonate as an interested fan to gain access to these locked/private copies or the formatted files to report them, their websites & ultimately get them banned from #AO3

Links & more context in the replies

https://chaoticdean.tumblr.com/post/701750704842375168/you-reap-what-you-sow-etc-etc

#fanzines #FandomHistory 1/n

You reap what you sow, etc etc.

Bouncing off this post by @ltleflrt, and because most of this has been happening over the bird app, I think it’s relatively essential to cross-post this to Tumblr so that the Destiel community knows...

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Show threadMorgan DawnNov 25, 2022

Caveat: #TermsofService (TOS) for many 3rd party printers prohibit printed copies of fanfic (even #LuluPress which allows you to set zero profits).

#AO3 has strict policies against mentioning fanfic for sale or linking to fanfic for sale. Again, this is a Terms of Service issue

However, AO3's platform allows anyone to format fanfic for printing or offline reading (PDF, epub etc.)

#TOS are not #copyright laws - you can be fine under copyright & still violate TOS 2/n

Show threadMorgan DawnNov 25, 2022

Printed #fanfiction is not "illegal". It is called #fanzines & has been around for 50 years. All #TransformativeWorks (#FanArt, #FanVids) rely on the #FairUse defense to #copyright. Commercial activity is only 1 of the 4 factors when deciding if an activity violates copyright. The fact that $ exchanged hands is not an automatic copyright violation. $ weighs heavily, but with printed fanfic, only a few copies made, maybe not

Again: #TermsofService =\= copyright law

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/fair-use-rule-copyright-material-30100.html 3/n

The 'Fair Use' Rule: When Use of Copyrighted Material Is Acceptable

In some situations, you may make limited use of another's copyrighted work without asking permission or infringing on the original copyright.

www.nolo.com
Show threadMorgan DawnNov 25, 2022

OK, now to more links

1. Top level overview from a #FanFiction #FanWriter who has their own bigcartel store.

Note: this is only one example of how printed fanfiction can be offered. Do not assume all fanwriters are using commercial, 3rd party platforms

https://chaoticdean.tumblr.com/post/701750704842375168/you-reap-what-you-sow-etc-etc

4/n

You reap what you sow, etc etc.

Bouncing off this post by @ltleflrt, and because most of this has been happening over the bird app, I think it’s relatively essential to cross-post this to Tumblr so that the Destiel community knows...

Tumblr
Show threadMorgan DawnNov 25, 2022

2. Twitter links showing that a group of fans have organized and written how to guides to impersonate interested readers to obtain copies of printed fanfiction and report the writers in an effort to get their websites taken down and get the writers banned from #AO3

https://twitter.com/caslostwings/status/1595121722218647554

5/n

robin // castielslostwings 🏳️‍🌈 #SPNNASH on Twitter

“On request, I’m making the doc Fran aka palominopup created to facilitate reporting fics public: you can see she (and Susan—I’m making an assumption that’s “destiel forever” Susan) signed it. This came from someone inside the SMALL private group she encourages to brigade us.”

Twitter
Show threadMorgan DawnNov 25, 2022

Thoughts: I don't know #AO3 terms well enough to evaluate their actions in this situation.

But the tradition of offering #FanFiction for "sale" in printed format is long and rich and core to our community. Printed fanzines continue to this day with #fanbooks being created and sold, usually heavy on fanart, but with fanfiction included.

Examples: Raw, a #Hannibal fanzine https://rawfanzine.tumblr.com/

Some zines done for charity, some at cost and some offer any $ leftover to the creators


6/n

RAW: A Hannibal/Will Fanthology

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Show threadTwistedchickNov 26, 2022
@morgandawn AO3 wants to make sure all the fannish work on its archive is not associated with money. I don't think anyone involved cares about fanfic behavior anywhere else.
Show threadMorgan DawnNov 26, 2022

@twistedchick
Correct - it is a bit more nuanced:
-Links to fundraisers or fanfic/fan art for sale not OK
-Links to your website where you sell or fundraise are OK
-Mentions of "this is also available as a print" with no link iffy/may need rewording
-Linking to a preformatted copy so people can print themselves - should be Ok

Writing a "how to report a fan for offering printed fanfic and get their website taken down for IP infringement" is - as you say - not part of AO3 and not - IMHO - OK

Show threadMorgan Dawn

@twistedchick

As I said earlier, there seem to be multiple scenarios - not just the one I linked to.

It is possible that this is hitting fans who offer their AO3 fanfic in printed format - even if they never link to it or mention it on AO3. And more importantly, it is being used to create fear in the community so that writers and artists are afraid to participate in fanzines. And it is being used to reinforce the belief that fanfic, fan art in fanzines are illegal activities.

Nov 26, 2022 at 12:41amWeb