Unauthorized fannish remix

[schmevil]

I want to do a post on this subject, but I've got to run off to work. So I'll just throw up a few questions, and get back to this later.


1. Is unauthorizied remix a fannish 'crime'?

2. If yes, why? Or: if all fanworks are transformative works (i.e. remixes of one kind or another), and are by nature unauthorized (save a very few exceptions), why is it 'criminal' to transform the creative works of other fans?

4. How does this strike you:

Capitalist copyright is about property is about money.

Fannish copyright is about credit is about status.

4. If the original creator is properly credited (Original vid by Dude. Remixed by Dude 2), does s/he have a leg to stand on if s/he hates the transformative work, and wants it gone? Can s/he do more than publicly eviscerate it?

Comments

[noracharles]

I also got some new readers out of it, and found some great new fic myself! :-D

There were definitely some remixes that were better than the original fics, but I don't think that's anything to be ashamed of. In many ways, it's easier to comment on and fix a fic you like and see potential in, than it is to write something completely new. And for the author, it's like the most awesome, in depth analytical feedback ever!

Sometimes I think that because of the social rules fandom enforces, we miss out on some link backs. I know that I don't link to fic which has inspired me, unless I lift recognizable elements from them. I just don't want to start any trouble with anyone.

[schmevil]

I think it would be great if it were more common for writers to link to each others work, and show where their inspirations come from. That might be starting to change though, with the popularity of things like remix, and DVD remixes. I wonder if a "Who were you inspired by?" meme would have any traction...

[noracharles]

I think we should try it and find out! I don't think I can remember titles and authors very well for most of my fic, but I could definitely write a paragraph about fic trends and fanon and interpretations that inspired me, even for the ones I can't put into a more definite context. It might be really fun, if we could get it to catch on :-D

[schmevil]

Yeah, I'm not sure if I can remember particular fics and writers at this point, but I might be able to point to some more recent influences, and to some general trends. Will work on this tonight! :)