Heads up to Elwing, Rex, BC and others..

[Slartibartfast]

You guys may have already heard of or received this letter but if not, read this:
http://pub54.ezboard.com/fcfanfrm9.s...picID=32.topic

It looks like Marvel is doing a crack-down on fan sites. I like the wording not at all.

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===={::??@m??::}====
~Award-winning designer of Norway's lovely crinkly edges.~

[This message has been edited by Slartibartfast (edited July 23, 2001).]


[Note: This message has been edited by Slartibartfast]

[Spatula Gal]

On the one hand, I think Marvel needs to protect their copyrights. There's some kind of legal obligation of copyright owners to defend their copyrights or else they'll lose them. On the other hand, I'm worried that cool adult-orientated sites like Rex's would not be met with approval and be forced of the net. That would really suck. And does this board fall under the definiton of a "marvel fan site"? I'm not sure I like the idea of some legal people breathing down our necks.

[BAMFCentral]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>...And does this board fall under the definiton of a "marvel fan site"? I'm not sure I like the idea of some legal people breathing down our necks. [/b]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Message Boards would definately not be affected.


[This message has been edited by BAMFCentral (edited July 23, 2001).]

[Elwing]

*shrugs* I guess I would have to comply with whatever they want if I get that letter, but it doesn't seem likely. Besides, a program like that seems like a good way to increase hits, and my site can survive without its picture galleries.
But I'd rather be independant.

It seems like it's not taken all that far: see http://www.cinescape.com/8/editorial...42388&sub_id=0

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BLUE-ELF.COM- hangout for the Nightcrawler-obsessed.

http://www.blue-elf.com

[Slartibartfast]

Yeah, the board is safe. Free speech, baby! But sites using Marvel copyrighted art may have trouble.

Right now the consensus seems to be the crack-down is mostly on images. Fan fic may be safe right now. I really don't see them being able to kill all the fic sites anyway. Fic has been around forever and it exists in all fandom genres. It'll never die, but if it has to go underground there will be a lot of pissed fans.

Hell, I suppose there could be a return to fanzines. They could never kill those. Wasn't there a Stan's Soapbox one time defending fan fic and saying fans had a right to write, as long as they made no money and credited the creators of the characters? That's why ficcers, myself included, post nice long disclaimers in front of thier stories. This seems rather contradictory to that if they plan to include fic in their obscenity clause. Obscenity is a hell of a thing to prove anyway, if it ever came to a suit over taking down unauthorized fan sites. It's too subjective. ACLU anyone?

Marvel has every right to protect their property, however as long as the author of the site credits Marvel as the creators and copyright holders I don't see why there should be a ruckus. Those fans pay lots of money to Marvel, and most of those sites are done out of love. It seems almost a slap in the face.

*steps off soapbox and returns to writing fic*
They can have my fic when they pry this keyboard out of my cold, dead hands.


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===={::??@m??::}====
~Award-winning designer of Norway's lovely crinkly edges.~

[This message has been edited by Slartibartfast (edited July 24, 2001).]

[BAMFCentral]

There is a possiblity of increased hits.

The only thing I am concerned about is the explicit use of Marvel's designated library. Once a part of the official ring, images used must be those from Marvel's online library. I have not seen what images would be offered by the online facility. But due to the nature of the company, as with any company, they must promote new items being released to help increase sales. I would imagine the images would center around their current sales push. Which can be bad for web-admins who do not run a site relating around a character Marvel is currently pushing. Second, it can be bad to see hundreds of sites as with the same image set. If sites are only allowed to use the online library, then a multitude of sites will all have the exact same pictures. So why should web surfers come your way, they have already seen it all. Web-admins know what I am talking about. You work hard to individualize your site, and have unique articles, and downloadable items for your visitors.

Now saying all this, I really do understand why Marvel is commencing with this move. And I believe they should really crack down on any site trying to make a profit off their characters. But as a fan, all the work I do on my site is essentially meant as a shrine to a great fictional character Marvel has created. I do not charge any fee, this site is not meant to increase revenue for me. But to show other readers what is great about this character, and hopefully prompt them to go pick up a comic that features the character. Thus giving Marvel money. Why the pictures and movie clips. Well to help attract people to the site and to visually demonstrate how cool the character is. But I do not own the character, I am just a fan. So I am waiting to see what will happen. I have not received an e-mail from Marvel as of yet.

BC

[Elwing]

yup, agreed. Marvel has a right to close down any site that uses material with their copyright on it. They don't, and that's wise on their part. But they are probably getting wise on sites that make profit from their characters, or spout pornography and negative views. You can like it or not, but it's understandable from a business point of view.

We'll have to wait and see how it affects us.

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BLUE-ELF.COM- hangout for the Nightcrawler-obsessed.

http://www.blue-elf.com

[BAMFCentral]

Many of you have probably already seen this, but Marvel official fansite program

I will be closing BAMFamation and trying out this fansite thing using my geocities page account. Obviously, I will need to rename the page, haven't come up with a great one yet. I want to use something other than BAMF. I thought of FUZZED, but that can mean to many different characters. Anyway, if you haven't downloaded the last clip from there, do it soon. I have a feeling about what images will be offered to Official Fansites, I only hope I am wrong.

[This message has been edited by BAMFCentral (edited July 25, 2001).]

[Elwing]

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[BAMFCentral]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Elwing:
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Sorry did I not make any sense ?