At 7:21 -0800 12/9/97, Kenneth Burling wrote:

You are forgetting a major point.  Technicaly this is true for any of
the anime characters.  FanFics are technicaly going against copy right
law by their very existance.  Legaly you have to sign a release form to
use any on the Ranma 1/2 characters, or characters from any anime for
that matter.  The only reason that we get away with it is because of the
authers' respect for their fans and the fact that we do not get ppaid
for writing fan fics.  So though your point is technicaly sound, it is
an invalid argument for fanfic writers.

True.  Fanfics are violations of copyright.  True.  Fanfics are tolerated
by MANY creators for any of a variety of reasons.  This can happen as long
as said fanfics do not create a threat to the copyright - hence the "no
profit" rules that are so basic to the genre.

No, the point is NOT invalid.  Fanfic writers are allowed to pursue their
craft because of the generosity of the creators, like Takahashi-sensei,
looking the other way.  This is not something that they have to do.
Indeed, if you rock the boat too much, it is something that they CANNOT do.

However, there ARE authors that have other rules.

Some authors do not WANT their characters to be used without their
permission - and just because other authors do not get upset over it is NO
REASON to disrespect those wishes.  Should they choose, ANY of these
authors can and will sue you for violation - and be justified in so doing.
It is just a matter of common sense and common courtesy that you should not
do things that you KNOW will anger an author, should they find out about
them.  Those are the situations where these suits are actually LIKELY.

If an author establishes a set of rules for writing in their worlds, then
FOLLOW THEM.  They are doing you a courtesy by allowing it at ALL, and if
they want certain boundaries set, then those boundaries should be respected.

Examples -

Terry Pratchett - Discworld - has said that fanfic is fine - just so long
as it remains fannish.  HE reserves the right to make money off of his
characters.

Anne McCaffrey - Pern - has given the nod to fanfics provided that they do
not make use of her main characters as main characters.  And there is a
*strictly* enforced 'no profit' directive on those stories.

There are plenty of others - but the point is that these people are letting
you play, in however limited a fashion, with their toys.  If you don't
follow the rules, or behave in good faith, they can, and might rescind that
kind permission, and take their toys and go home.  ALL of fanfic-dom would
lose out.

Zen no Itan-sha