I didn't see the thread either. But what sparked the decision by FPW to ask his lawyers about Fanfiction was when I asked if he had a problem with it being written. *grin*
depends on the author. Eric Flint has a section on baen.org called Baen bar? I believe. All are invited to write fanfiction in it based on his 1632 series. He's even taken a few that he considered exceptional and put them in Grantville Gazette, and Ring of Fire short story collection. Also, on at least one of the main books (can't remember which) he cowrote with one of them on a few areas in it.
Anne Mcaffrey has no problems with fanfiction as long as they are on her site or sites she authorizes. And she has the specific rules on her website Worlds Of Anne Mccaffrey that tell exactly what guidelines she'll allow them under.
I've also heard that at a select few conventions a contest is held for fanfiction that can only be introduced there, and stay there. Unless the series author decides to include it. However it's published in a newsletter that's handed out at the convention or something like that.
Bluesman Mike Lindner Wrote:I didn't see the thread, so maybe this ain't relevant at all, but how does fan fiction work as far as the law goes? How about filksongs? A few years ago, I had a conversation with Joe Haldeman in which he confided that RAH =roared= with laughter at a convention in which Spider Robinson sang "Old Man Heinlein." Quoting some of the Grandmaster's works!