It's slowly becoming a trend: Selling celebrity fanfiction

The trend: selling celebrity fanfiction as hard copies - not published/copyrighted, just printed. I have seen two more authors do this. I haven't done additional research on the legality of commercializing fanfiction since the last time. [Celebrity Fanfiction as fan-made goods]

Even though I've heard that Korean fanfictions have been published and Jaejoong read one, it still doesn't feel right [for me] to use celebrities' names and images for profit without their consent. I mean, as a fan, I don't feel it's right to earn money from the artist I am supporting and not only because it is a violation of their right of publicity.

Anyway, so if you sold something that doesn't have a copyright, is it possible that someone might turn your fanfic into an original, merely changing the names, and own the copyright? o.O How do you protect something you made but legally do not own?

 

Edit: Apparently, 1D fanfiction was published in Portugal. Read here. I guess 1D is not a trademark, nor are the names of the band members. So, it is allowed. In Portugal. Somehow o.o

 

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tissuepaper #1
I think it's wrong either.

I know someone who made hard copies (and sold them successfully) out of her fan fiction, a famous DaraGon writer, but she changed her characters and that's okay.

But to have the fan fiction itself, with these idols' names, sell them for profit, is just wrong. And low.

I'm totally against this, but writers who do this, they could argue that "Myungsoo" or "Luhan" or "Jonghyun" or whatever celebrity name they put in their stories, could stand as original characters especially when their plot is of alternate universe, right? I mean for sure, there's more than just one Myungsoo or Luhan or Jonghyun named in Korea/the whole world.
Iloveanime #2
I don't really agree with that. Yeah, I do think that it's not right to use a celebrity's name to gain profit. But, if people turn their fanfics into originals by changing the names and such, that's fine by me.
aznawzmao #3
Well...
But fanfiction based on books can be sold right?
-eyes 50 shades-
Nakamitsu #4
Honestly, ... Whatever. They can do what they want if they know the risks, but im pretty sure the companies have better things to do than go legal on few printed books. .
peachysoo #5
I don't really care about this since all the fics that have been 'binded' aren't my cup of tea, especially when I can just read fanfiction on my nook for free so why would I waste money on them. Especially since I rather use my money on other things like kpop merch or Christmas presents or food.

Though I don't think it's illegal, and it's probably not as frowned upon as people using fanficion (actual copyrighted material for fanfiction) and changing the names to publish and get money out of them. (cough*50 Shades and The Mortal Instruments*cough)

I also liken it to doujinshi and the profits that are usually made from that. But I don't by that either because why would someone pay 20 bucks for a 30 page comic that will never be worth anything.
MyLadyK #6
I believe that if you offer an adequate disclaimer stating that the characters portrayed have no connection to the idols in real life, it should be fine- internet copy-wise. However, making a profit is a hit different- you're taking their name and face, and using it to your advantage without them benefiting. Perhaps if the novel is fully published, authors could donate a portion to a good cause under the name/ or for the idol? It's not a great substitute, but for Entertainments to have to regulate and discuss fan fics with all authors is a bit unreasonable.
daggerisms #7
Although I will say this: copyright laws within the US and I think the UK apply to countries that share a treaty with us regarding creative works. There's something on Wikipedia that states what countries protected copyrights apply to.

...I have no life and wrote a blog post on why editing fantaken pictures is a no-no if you wanna look at it; I go a little into copyright and I did a little research so I feel comfortable enough to say that I somewhat know what I'm talking about. Don't have a degree in the subject but because of AFF and tumblr, I get to know a lot about Creative Commons and copyright. http://chunpala.tumblr.com/post/54352735177
daggerisms #8
It depends on the company's perspective on the whole thing. If they feel it's harmless and won't turn too big a profit, they'll look the other way, but it's still all sorts of shady. Within the US laws, I don't think it's allowed, since companies and labels here will slam a person with some sort of civil suit regarding profits. They're using a celebrity name to make money; it's awful shady and I think, if not illegal, a giant red marker for companies to go after someone and demand royalties, since you'd be targeting the same fanbase they do with the published works.

Then again, I'm not well-versed in this either ^^" so I could be completely wrong. It probably depends on the country the work is published in and its laws.
Nosmax #9
I seeing it as same as doujinshi though... Doujin about idols are sold in japan.. Maybe there should be plac like mandarake all over the world huh so things like these arent to be worry about since theres a place where they should be selling it.....
Marianations #10
How could that happen ? Last time I checked out my country's laws - I'm from Portugal - it WASN'T allowed to do so. Not with the original names !
But are you sure that's legit ? Like, I check my country's news everyday and have Portuguese satellite TV and I didn't see nothing about that...


It reminds me of that case in the Philippines where a T.O.P fan girl wrote a fanfic about him and it got so popular they're doing a movie... At least the names were changed.
cutepenguin #11
I think it's almost the same as fan photographers stalking the idols...taking photos illegally in concerts and FMs...airport pics and many others...
Ultimately...turning them into unofficial photo book...I feel it's the same...
It's ok if it remains in the Internet for reading or saving...but once money is made out of it...I feel it is wrong...
baekooniim #12
I've founf another author who want to sell her fanfic's hard copy.
I'm just afraid if this trend can't stop until it reached a level when there's an entertaiment company or k-idols sued the author.
We can't write ff anymore TT_TT
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