About fanfics and shite like patreon links

Guardian Box

Radioactive Cognitohazard
Sotnik
I remember some bruhaha some time ago about posting monetary support links (like patreon links) being forbidden / locked behind a paywall on this forum.

What's the official stance on that right now? Can I post a fanfic and ask for donations for meself, or are you demanding a cut here?
 

Sixgun McGurk

Well-known member
I would think that it could eventually become a potential RIAA type problem for the site to accept money for the link or get involved. I can't imagine how it is in any way 'fair use' to employ someone else's copyrighted material to generate income without first arranging permission and paying the legal owner a royalty. PBS does the same thing, but you don't see them using characters and shows without paying. One day a hungry shyster will start hunting scalps.
 
D

Deleted member

Guest
Donations for fanfiction can be construed as a violation of law and would not be allowed on the forum at all. Requiring a subscription before posting a Patreon with original work would be a business to business relationship and charging businesses money for advertising is part of our revenue model. Bottom line: Being a contract artist on Patreon is running a business.
 

Guardian Box

Radioactive Cognitohazard
Sotnik
Donations for fanfiction can be construed as a violation of law and would not be allowed on the forum at all. Requiring a subscription before posting a Patreon with original work would be a business to business relationship and charging businesses money for advertising is part of our revenue model. Bottom line: Being a contract artist on Patreon is running a business.
K, but does that apply to ko-fi links? There's no contract, just asking for a donation that you can but don't have to make. No contract for anything is being made.

I see it more like playing a song on the street corner and having a cup people can throw change in if they want.

Therefore for perfect clariy I must ask again: is that kind of thing forbidden here?
 

Sir 1000

Shitlord
Donations for fanfiction can be construed as a violation of law and would not be allowed on the forum at all. Requiring a subscription before posting a Patreon with original work would be a business to business relationship and charging businesses money for advertising is part of our revenue model. Bottom line: Being a contract artist on Patreon is running a business.
That sounds like a perfect way to make certain a lot of good fanfic authors never put down roots. One of the biggest drivers of views and new member sign ups is the creative writing sections on the sister sites. Hell, when i was angry at a site that will not be named and wanted to hurt it. My very first idea was to play copyright police and report a bunch of fanfic patreons to rights holders. This will hurt the growth of the site significantly.

Something which is troubling considering i think most on here would like it to grow more so it's more competitive with the sister sites content wise. I hate to say it but i give far to many clicks to those assholes because of creative writing.
 
D

Deleted member

Guest
"My very first idea was to play copyright police and report a bunch of fanfic patreons to rights holders."

You tell me that something is illegal enough that you've considered reporting it in the past, and then you want me to do it anyway? I'm honestly confused.
 

Abhorsen

Local Degenerate
Moderator
Staff Member
Comrade
Osaul
"My very first idea was to play copyright police and report a bunch of fanfic patreons to rights holders."

You tell me that something is illegal enough that you've considered reporting it in the past, and then you want me to do it anyway? I'm honestly confused.
Honestly, it's an open question as to whether it is illegal or fair use. It's clearly transformative, first of all. Basically, you'd just have to be open to DMCA notices that you'd get served, and you'd probably be fine. The DMCA safe harbor stuff helps you here.
 

Sixgun McGurk

Well-known member
Writing fan fiction is a hobby, not a career. Trying to make a business out of it is no better than pirating DVD's. If you write a book, invent characters and a world, then someone comes along and takes your creative effort to sell without your permission while lacking any of the overhead costs that you have to bear then where is the right in that? It's just theft.
 

Shipmaster Sane

You have been weighed
Writing fan fiction is a hobby, not a career. Trying to make a business out of it is no better than pirating DVD's. If you write a book, invent characters and a world, then someone comes along and takes your creative effort to sell without your permission while lacking any of the overhead costs that you have to bear then where is the right in that? It's just theft.
If more things were in the public domain people might have to actually be good to make a profit, not just novel.
 
D

Deleted member

Guest
Basically, Culsu's signature is an example of the limits of what we allow without a business-to-business (i.e. paid) relationship between the Sietch and your business. It is a link to let you look at his creative work, where it is incidental but certainly possible to commission from him.

He also created a thread in "Artistic Creations" for his work.

Both of these activities are allowed.

However, links in your signature whose sole function is to advertise your business, or any kind of sig banner to the same effect, require you to pay us first. I hope that clarifies things.

Also, advertising for donations for fanfiction is strictly forbidden.
 

The Immortal Watch Dog

Well-known member
Hetman
Last I checked profiting off of piracy or theft by being a fence is still a crime.

I criticize the owner a lot, but asking Zoe to tolerate something that can potentially turn fanfics from a civil matter to a criminal one seems extreme.

If our competitors wanna get sued or cited into insolvency then let them.
 

Sir 1000

Shitlord
"My very first idea was to play copyright police and report a bunch of fanfic patreons to rights holders."

You tell me that something is illegal enough that you've considered reporting it in the past, and then you want me to do it anyway? I'm honestly confused.
Sorry l've missed this comment for so long, i must have dismissed my notifications and missed you're reply by accident. Reporting was my first idea until like another poster mentioned i considered fair use and dmca. I think as long as you followed take down notices you would be just as fine as the sister sites. As is not allowing it while the others do is a sizeable disadvantage. I also doubt people are beating down the door to pay to advertise on a forum this size.

Looking at you're last response has me a bit confused, it sounds like as long as sietch gets a cut then sending people to another page that just so happens to have a patreon is allowed? So basically the policy is just no direct links to patreon and the writer is good?
 

Sixgun McGurk

Well-known member
You are demanding a lot from the people that administer this site. Pissing around and reading this stuff is unpaid work. I can't believe that they are so friendly and forgiving of the insolent behavior that is so prevalent. I am not a naturally friendly or really a very nice person by training or inclination and would put a nuclear boot up the ass of any that annoyed me in the slightest. And all three swabs that frequented my site would strongly agree.
 

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