Quote:
Originally Posted by Stringer
Yeah, but I think we can define the fan-fiction as something based on another work of art. Most often tv-series. Thus the fans writing it would be the ones that liked the original art. That is different to taking some random subject like outer space aliens and starting to write about them.
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As far as I understand it, using characters and settings from other people's work is copyright infringement. The fan fiction communities are usually very much aware of this and there is a tendency, especially among older writers to try to keep a low profile, for instance by only publishing stories in paper 'zines'. I've just had someone decline having a link put up on my link list web page, for this reason.
There is a growing awareness of fan fiction on the 'publishing' end, and, it seems, also a tacit acceptance of it. Perhaps they are realising that after all, it keeps a fan base - potential customers! - alive for much longer. The only reason I've bought all four seasons of Starsky & Hutch is because of fan fiction. And several other shows.