A quandry.

[chibi_trillian]

A fandom ethics question...

So, for our Otakon fanfiction panel, we're going to be spending some serious time on badfic. As a result, I'm wading through the Pit of Voles and taking screencaps and quotes as I go along for our Powerpoint presentation. I'm finding quite a lot to work with (to give you a hint, my labels for the screencap of page one of the One Piece section were "Self-insert, self-insert, self-insert, OOC AU, randomfic, Mary Sue, Mary Sue" and there were only seven fics visible on the page). But, screencaps being screencaps, they have the author names quite clearly displayed.

Do I:
1. blur them out, saving the authors public embarrassment?
2. leave them up, so no one can accuse me of stealing (*eyeroll*) without giving credit?
3. blur them out on screencaps, attach them to direct quotes?

Comments

[psychoteffy.livejournal.com]

I think you should blur out the names, but make a disclaimer at the begining of the panel.

Disclaimers are Love.

[ptps.livejournal.com]

I think you can blur them out, but leave juuust enough so if you squint, you can see who they are. XD;

I want to read what your speech/presentation lines are. XD

[kikkuma.livejournal.com]

Mmm... I'd go for option number 2. I'm guessing that most of these badfic writers use internet handles/screen names anyways, so if they're so terribly embarrassed, they can always just change them.

. . . Oh my gods. I so wish I could go to Otakon to see this panel. DX

[chibi-trillian.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to this panel, even though my own fic has been sucking terribly lately. ;_;

Topics will include the following:
~Spellchecking and Betaing Are Good Things
~Think Before You Post
~Would He Really Do That? OOC and You
~Research Research Research
~Sex: No, That Doesn't Go There and Especially Not Without Lube
~Character Bashing Is Not an Acceptable Plot Device
~Wangst Spill on Aisle Five
~Continuity Is Continuity Is Important
~KINK: Kutting Is Not Kewl
~and others.

[chibi-trillian.livejournal.com]

We were already planning on saying that the fiction used in the presentation is used without the authors' permission and that we would remove it if asked. Think we need to disclaim anything else?

[chibi-trillian.livejournal.com]

Hn. For now, I'm going to save both edited and unedited versions of the screencaps. That way I can discuss it with my fellow panelists tomorrow.

It's going to be awesome. I'm giving the panel with two guys: living proof that men do write fanfiction. XD

[scribblemoose]

Okay... *deep breath* .. please don't kill me for this, but a) really, I think you should ask their permission before using their work - just because they're not very good writers doesn't mean you shouldn't afford them the same courtesy you would other writers, and b) what is there to be gained from looking at badfic anyway? Isn't it really just an excuse to have a laugh at someone who's worse than we are?

I feel very strongly about this, because I know that my early fiction would most definitely have been classed as badfic, and if people had taken the piss I would never, ever have written again. We all have to start somewhere and learn our lessons, and public ridicule doesn't help people improve.

Okay, that's just my opinion. Of course you're free to ignore it, no hard feelings, etc. It's just a personal view I hold very dear.

[kasra-c.livejournal.com]

I'm going with option 1. Even though the chances of the authors sitting in on your panel are next to zero, it's not cool to make them even easier targets for trolling. Make the trolls work for their badfic. ^_~

[vampire-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Very good question. Like others have said, it's pretty unlikely you'll have someone whose fic you chose sitting in your audience, but even so it's probably best to blur out the names so a] they aren't embarassed if they should find out they were used and b] to prevent harassment of said bad authors by not-nice people after the con. 'Cause some people are ignorent like that.

I soooo can't wait for this panel. Sounds like it will be a blast to sit in on. :D

......??????

[jacks-shadow.livejournal.com]

do you want the legal answer? i.e. are you looking at this from a proffessional responsability and such level? Or basic courtesy?

Re: ......??????

[chibi-trillian.livejournal.com]

Both, please--you personal answer will be entertaining, as it always is, and I am curious about the legal issues of ownership for people violating someone else's copyright.

[chibi-trillian.livejournal.com]

Hn. Good point. You never want to think about trolls actually existing in real life, but they've got to be somewhere.

[chibi-trillian.livejournal.com]

Most of the votes seem to be for "Names have been changed to protect the guilty." Someone might still recognize the fic, but we can't stop that from happening.

Woot! There'll be at least one person willing to stay up until 1:30 in the morning to see us! *dance*

Re: ......??????

[jacks-shadow.livejournal.com]

*sighs*....... do I need to put my "I am not allowed to give legal advice" disclaimer up? Okay... so I am not an expert on Intellectual Property (although if I make that Journal I will know a hell of a lot more soon). HOWEVER, the creative work is still their property, even if they are using someone else's creative material. Technically by using their stuff you are violating the REAL owner's copyright AND the person's for their particular work. Now it probably can't be ENFORCED.... but there would be a fuck of a lot of whining though. As is wont to happen. It is NEVER a good idea to use someone else's words without due citation or credit given, almost always by name.

On the other hand... these are examples of BAD writing... and there is something to be said for protecting the identity of this sucky writers lest they be hounded by the well read and literate masses that will surely be in your panel. *this was not said in a sarcastic tone of voice please note*

My advice would be blank their names, period. Just to be safe. HOWEVER include at the beginning (and probably on EACH screen shot, just to be sure) a disclaimer. For the first disclaimer I would recommend something along the lines of:

"None of these are my product... frankly if they were I probably would have thrown myself onto my own pen. But my Law Student Friend advised me that I could face possible liability if through my actions fans of good writing hunted these writers down and beat them with a 'Literature Stick.'...... so I am keeping these works anonymous to protect the Tools from good taste everywhere"

....... or something shorter and less controversial.........

If you are REALLY concerned I might be able to do a little bit of research to check some stuff but as long as you acknowledge that they are NOT yours, and HAVE the citations of someone wants them you are PROBABLY safe. You can't do REALLY safe without getting permission from the authors though so........... yeah..... unlikely........

Cheers!

[empererpenguin.livejournal.com]

Embaress the authors they deserve it.

[iori-baine.livejournal.com]

Blur the names out, because the drama ain't worth it.