Amazon to do fan fiction

[PennLady]

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/22/amazon_introduces_fan_fiction_publishing_platform/

 

[lovecraft68]

But if the story is not based on something they have obtained the licenses for its illegal to sell it. Most fan fiction slides by because no one is making anything from it.

Amazon thinks they have issues with indy authors now? How many people will just hear "Wow I can publish my fan fic" they won't bother looking at the limitations.

This is also a way for amazon to pretend its still indy friendly while they're still sticking it to them behind the scenes.

So.....

Good news is there will be a shit load of material up there that shouldn't be and even more irate big companies can drag bezos lying, cheating and stealing ass to court.

Popcorn please!

 

[PennLady]

I'm just passing the news along. I thought the more interesting thing is that if you do this, *Amazon* retains the copyright, at least according to the article. And I don't know if you need permission. Years ago there was that case about "The Wind Done Gone," where the Margaret Mitchell estate tried to block the story of GWTW told by a black slave, but they lost. I'm not saying that's exactly fan fiction, or what's going on here, but there may be a lot of leeway there.

Also, I can't imagine Amazon wouldn't have looked into the legal aspects. Launching a branch that is looking to get sued isn't a smart business strategy, and even if you don't like Bezos, he's not a stupid businessman.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'm just passing the news along. I thought the more interesting thing is that if you do this, *Amazon* retains the copyright, at least according to the article. And I don't know if you need permission. Years ago there was that case about "The Wind Done Gone," where the Margaret Mitchell estate tried to block the story of GWTW told by a black slave, but they lost. I'm not saying that's exactly fan fiction, or what's going on here, but there may be a lot of leeway there.

Also, I can't imagine Amazon wouldn't have looked into the legal aspects. Launching a branch that is looking to get sued isn't a smart business strategy, and even if you don't like Bezos, he's not a stupid businessman.

No, not stupid, but....

Amazon does little to nothing to screen books submitted there. All you need for proof is to look around and see all the covers featuring nudity and titles like "step motherfucker"

They screen nothing.

So, yes, I am sure they are covered as long as it is a company they have permission from, but when they get submissions featuring things they have no claim to, they will just let it slide right on in.

And going back to stupid?

Amazon has become so arrogant they are becoming stupid and have all but stated "Oh, yeah, come get us" in many of their less than savory practices this year.

 

[R. Richard]

No, not stupid, but....

Amazon does little to nothing to screen books submitted there. All you need for proof is to look around and see all the covers featuring nudity and titles like "step motherfucker"

They screen nothing.

Not quite. I had my story, Nudist Queen submitted, with the nasty parts redacted in the cover image. After a bit, Amazon blocked Nudist Queen and they won't even tell me why. Nudist Queen is now live in Smashwords.

 

[lovecraft68]

Not quite. I had my story, Nudist Queen submitted, with the nasty parts redacted in the cover image. After a bit, Amazon blocked Nudist Queen and they won't even tell me why. Nudist Queen is now live in Smashwords.

But if it was up for awhile, odds are someone complained of it and....

again they never check it. If one of their valuable consumers they care so much about(sarcasm) complains they yank it unquestioned and you have to really jump hoops to get it unblocked.

But to prove my point your "nasty bits" went right on through.

 

[Stella_Omega]

This has been tried before. Fanwriters have driven other would-be monetizers out of their purlieu-- I can think of two attempts in the past few years. I doubt Amazon can be driven out-- but I doubt that they will make much difference to fandom in general. We write about the shows and material we love-- because we love it.

If we don't love Gossip Girls, we don't write about it. Not even if it's okay.

 

[Bramblethorn]

This has been tried before. Fanwriters have driven other would-be monetizers out of their purlieu-- I can think of two attempts in the past few years. I doubt Amazon can be driven out-- but I doubt that they will make much difference to fandom in general. We write about the shows and material we love-- because we love it.

If we don't love Gossip Girls, we don't write about it. Not even if it's okay.

IMHO the big question here is whether Amazon's business plan involves shutting down the competition. If I was an Evil Amazon Overlord I'd make sure the licensing arrangement with copyright holders included a requirement for those holders to stomp on unlicensed fic, and that could get ugly.

 

[Stella_Omega]

IMHO the big question here is whether Amazon's business plan involves shutting down the competition. If I was an Evil Amazon Overlord I'd make sure the licensing arrangement with copyright holders included a requirement for those holders to stomp on unlicensed fic, and that could get ugly.

Warner Brothers tried with the Harry Potter fandom but couldn't. There is precedent for fanwork.


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