The issue of the legality of fan fiction and related fan endeavors has been a frequent topic of discussion here in the forest (notable instances here and here).  And it's clear that there's still a lot of confusion about the subject.  When I started researching the subject this year, I was amazed at just how many legal articles had actually explored the subject of fan fiction and Internet law.  I figured that I'd share some links with you guys, so anyone interested in the topic could continue to explore it.  And don't worry, the articles are all fairly easy reads - no legal knowledge is required ;)

Legal Fictions: Copyright, Fan Fiction, and a New Common Law by Rebecca Tushnet.

This was written in 1998, and is considered to be one of the earliest, and most comprehensive looks at fan fiction, and the legal issues surrounding it.  Some of the links are hilarious in their obscurity, linking back to webrings and Geocities sites (remember those days).  Tushnet continued writing on the subjects of Internet law and copyright, and is now considered to be one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the field.

Fan Fiction, Fandom, and Fan Fare: What's All The Fuss? by Merideth McCardle

This is a more modern article, published in 2003.  McCardle has a very humorous style of writing (as far as law reviews articles go, which doesn't say much).  The article is actually aimed at giving fandom members a better understanding of the legal concepts they're dealing with, and the possible defenses they might have available to them.  It's something of a legal "How To" guide for members of fandom, and it also touches on how trademark law can get involved.

Search for Original Expression: Fan Fiction & The Fair Use Defense by Mollie E. Nolan

Nolan does a great job of thoroughly summarizing how modern US copyright law came about, pretty much by condensing 200 years of history into three pages of really relevant points, then breaking Fair Use down into manageable pieces.  If you've ever had an interest in the subject, like how Disney has retained their copyrights for so long, or how come Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was allowed to be published, this is a really good, basic introduction.

Complimentary Creation: Protecting Fan Fiction as Fair Use by Rachel Stroude

Stroude actually takes the time to differentiate between the two different types of fan fiction that are out there, and makes a serious argument for less restrictive copyright laws in order to further creativity and grant fic authors some legal protections (within certain boundaries). 

To make this interactive - what do you think the law should be regarding fan fiction?  And (if you haven't already) do you think that opinion would change if/when you actually published an original work? Also, how many of these authors do you think were secretly involved in fandom themselves?

make someone a mixtape

the americans are all off today, yes?

let's make mixtapes for each other.  i'll do it when i get home from shopping.

list 3-5 songs you love and someone will make you a mixtape.  or list your genre or if you decide you wanna get into 90s britpop or something idk idk

alternately, if you're in the know-how, make someone a mixtape!

itunes has a neato mosquito feature where you play one song and hit the "genius" button, and it makes you an automatic mixtape based off of what you've already got in your itunes.  shiny!

the last 5 songs i listened to, if anyone wants to make me one:

-kandi by one eskimo (incidentally, i will send anyone that entire album if they want it.  it's incredible, and i'm obsessed with it right now)

-why do you let me stay here? by she & him

-rudi, a message to you by the specials

-the golden age by beck

-the way you look tonight by billie holliday

ooh and norwegian wood (beatles, obvs) is up next

also, if you've got mixtapes already created, give us links!

i hope this idea works omg

...how freakin' HOT she looks!

God, I'm so jealous of Rob right now.

because laughter is the cure for greif.

It has recently dawned on me that craploads of campers have been feeling very down lately, myself included. Remember the pick-me-up post from yesterday? Or my music rec post? Yes, bluesy indeed. This morning I woke up and aimlessly pondered about how important laughter actually was. This was the conversation I had with my roomie when I stumbled into our kitche, wide-eyed and saw her grumbling grouchily and making pancakes:

Me: Denise, don't you just love to laugh?

Roomie: No. Now, zip it and shove these pancakes down your piehole.

Me: Denise, I was just wondering how some people don't laugh at all.... like you...

Roomie: I swear, I have work to get to. I don't have time for this crap.

Me: Denise, why don't you ever laugh? Not even a chuckle?

Roomie: *eye roll* hahaha, there. I laughed. Eat. And in silence.

Me: Denise, do you ever wonder why I laugh so much?

Roomie: no, Electra, I don't wonder why you laugh so fucking much...

Me: Denise, I laugh because I'm happy. You should laugh because your happy, too.

Roomie: That's it. I'm taking my breakfast to the living room now. You're full of shit.

She's meaaaan. Anyway, so being the mentally deranged idiot who sees the world through rainbow-hued glasses that I am, I demand a laughterspam! (See? I'm so lame that I just created a fucktarded excuse of a word.) To make this twi-related, I want you to post your favorite FUNNY passages to your favorite twilight fanfictions.it can be any story. Any passage. Especially one that made you fall off your chair and laugh until your stomach started hurting. It doesn't matter. Just post it here. Post as many as you like. It doesn't matter. Just feel appeased to know that you're making someone else's day worthwhile by making them laugh. I'll post mines in the comments, here's one: 

I was screwed.

I walked a little further away from the mystery woman with the lovely ass. I ducked behind a blue, red and white column, watching her as she stopped in front of the book store.

I moved quickly and hid behind another column; for some reason the song from Mission Impossible was in my head, and I couldn't help but hum along.

I looked behind me to see to make sure that no one was aware of what I was about to do. I looked for anyone of the typical "neighborhood watchman" type and didn't spot anyone. Good thing that I was new in town, because if my mother got wind of what I was about to do…

I shuddered and quickly ran behind a big purple mailbox. The mystery woman tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and suddenly started to bite her lip.

I wanted to bite that lip.

Damn, this was not the time to be fantasizing!

Two old bats gave me the stink-eye as they passed me. I sighed and took a few deep, cleansing breaths.

I could do this.

I had to do this.

This was for all those kids that had to put up with bullies.

This was for all those younger siblings that always got blamed for everything.

This was for all the dares that were left undone.

The theme song from Rocky started running through my head as I made a grab for this fuck ass big blue purse, when I realized my mistake.

 

 

 

Just discovered this story, great read.

 The Cullen Campaign

Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan both have parents who are powerful on Capitol Hill. Problem is, their families are political enemies. What happens when Democrat!Edward and Republican!Bella bump into each other at Union Station in D.C.? AU/AH. ExB

 

Anyone know of any Fics where Bella works behind a bar?

Just started a new job and I feel as though I don't know what the f**k I'm doing, lol. Thought I could get some inspiration not to quit with some good E/B fics.

I hate starting new jobs!!!!!!

 

 

This is the interview with KStew & Taytay from tonights ep of 7pm Project. Kristen is too adorable as usual & I loved her little "confession" & Taytay makes me giggle like a little schoolgirl every time.

7pmproject.com.au/video.htm

Just the link because it's not a youtube vid. Hope it works for everyone

Disappear Here updated my friends go read and we will discuss. I do not have words to describe how much I adore this fic. And we thinks times are a changin. If you are not reading this you are missing outbig time.

So I was thinking about this again tonight, why does Leah get the shaft again and again and again?!?!  Everything that can go wrong DOES go wrong for Leah. I know SM wrote a novela for Bree which is all fine and dandy, but I would LOVE for her to write a HEA for Leah!  Girl was just left hanging! Nothing good happened to her! I want a HEA for Leah!

 

 

What character would YOU like to see SM make a story about? (Midnight Sun does not count as we would all love to see that make print fo' sho')

Does anyone know how I can download/buy this. I have no idea & I've seen all the gifs & references to the movie in here lately that I am now desperate to see it.

FYT KStew & Taytay in Sydney

I spend way too much time at CVS...

 

As you can see, the Bella razors were more expensive than the Twilight razors. And lmao - lavender scented? You know SM's all about strawberries. I don't know who tweeted me back when I tweeted this, but she said we'd def see these razors make an appearance when Bella's shaving her legs on Isle Esme - before Edward finally gives it to her. Heh.

This shit just reminded me of Professor Masen and his Precious Little Lamb. Obviously, I wanted to buy a packet and send it to Ranger Lillybellis.

Oh, and because you sat through this nonsense, here's some RPattz yumminess. And you know I'm not that into the RPattz yumminess, so if I say it's yummy, dude - it's yummy.

 

Yeah Robert, we know... Cats don't even live very long.

Does Bella seem like a typical Virgo to you?

What do you think the Zodiac signs of the different characters would be?

Edward is a Gemini, but I sort of see him as a Scorpio.

Carlisle is a Capricorn.

Esme is obviously a nurturing Cancer, right?

Does YOUR Zodiac sign suit YOU?

For descriptions of the various sgns : http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/signsofthezodiac.html

Thoughts???

  

What's Wrong with Edward?

I would just like to get your thoughts because after reading the latest chapter, I'm just as lost.

And if you haven't read it yet you should its awesome

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5722450/1/

 

 

So me and the sister were talking today about how much it sucked that our favorite store for dvds and cds had closed down, it sucked because that store was awesome and it was the closest thing I had to home, so I'm all pissed and sad.

But this got me thinking what we do if ADF closed down? or fanfiction.com? or twilighted?  I would cry and I don't do that, ever. I'm trying hard to remember what I did before I joined the fandom and I can't remember and that makes me all kinds of sad, I honestly think I would go thru the five stages of grief before finally killing myself.

So campers, what would you do afterwards? or try to imagine a world without the fandom.... or twilight.

 I am soooo confuzzled on how to make a gif. Any suggestions or how to out there? Please help...

FYT

 Happily

Ever

After

Name or post pictures of five things that make you incredibly happy.

 

 

 Fic, it´s twoshot, bella has a sex dream about jasper in a jacuzzy

she´s married to edward and then he accidently over hears her telling angela about it in a family gettogether

there´s baklava and your name is bella cullen, not swan and definitely not whitlock!

 

its sorta awesome

I believe the last chapter is up.

Go. Read, then come discuss.

RIGHT.

James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Severus Snape in Harry Potter are all the wrong age in the films. who would you cast as the actors if anyone actually cared?!

EDIT: MAIN POST CHANGED.