IntroductionLegal IssuesIndustry ProtectionsFundamental Copyright LawRight to reproduceRight to produce derivative worksRight to distributeRight of public performanceRight of public displayThe No Electronic Theft (NET) ActTrademark LawsFederal Trademark Dilution Act of 1995Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA)Fan DefensesFair UsePurpose and character of useNature of copyright workAmount and substantiality of portion usedEffect on the potential market for or value of the protectedParodyCurrent BattlesMain IssuesDistributionFan Sites as Commercial InterestsUse of Characters in Transformative WorkImplied ConsentPlot Synopsis and Screenplay ExcerptsSamplingParody as a Special DefenseTrademark DilutionPertinent CasesHarry Potter SeriesStar WarsContradictions in PolicyOriginal Industry Works DerivativeKill BillDisney’s Feature FilmsIndustry Legal PracticesOverreach Through Cease-and-Desist OrdersUse of Trademark to Strengthen CopyrightSolutionsCourt ChallengesChanges in Copyright LawsBetter Define Internet UseDeem Fan Sites as NoncommercialLimiting Protection of Fictional CharactersSeparate Trademark and Copyright ProtectionLimit Exclusive Rights to Future MarketsChange Industry PolicyMore Implicit ConsentPrivate LicensingCompulsory Public LicensingIndustry-Fan CollaborationFeedbackFan AppreciationConclusionAnalysis of Fair Use and Fan Culture on the Internet Written by Sean Whaley December 10, 2003 6.806: Ethics and Law on the Electronic Frontier1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 3 2 Legal Issues................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Industry Protections ............................................................................................ 4 2.1.1 Fundamental Copyright Law ...................................................................... 4 2.1.2 The No Electronic Theft (NET) Act ........................................................... 5 2.1.3 Trademark Laws ......................................................................................... 5 2.2 Fan Defenses....................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Fair Use....................................................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Parody ......................................................................................................... 9 3 Current Battles .......................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Main Issues ....................................................................................................... 10 3.1.1 Distribution ............................................................................................... 10 3.1.2 Fan Sites as Commercial Interests ............................................................ 11 3.1.3 Use of Characters in Transformative Work .............................................. 11 3.1.4 Implied Consent........................................................................................ 12 3.1.5 Plot Synopsis and Screenplay Excerpts .................................................... 12 3.1.6 Sampling ................................................................................................... 13 3.1.7 Parody as a Special Defense ..................................................................... 13 3.1.8 Trademark Dilution................................................................................... 13 3.2 Pertinent Cases.................................................................................................. 14 3.2.1 Harry Potter Series.................................................................................... 14 3.2.2 Star Wars .................................................................................................. 15 4 Contradictions in Policy............................................................................................ 15 4.1 Original Industry Works Derivative ................................................................. 16 4.1.1 Kill Bill...................................................................................................... 16 4.1.2 Disney’s Feature Films ............................................................................. 16 4.2 Industry Legal Practices.................................................................................... 17 4.2.1 Overreach Through Cease-and-Desist Orders .......................................... 17 4.2.2 Use of Trademark to Strengthen Copyright.............................................. 18 5 Solutions ................................................................................................................... 18 5.1 Court Challenges............................................................................................... 19 5.2 Changes in Copyright Laws.............................................................................. 19 5.2.1 Better Define Internet Use ........................................................................ 19 5.2.2 Deem Fan Sites as Noncommercial .......................................................... 20 5.2.3 Limiting Protection of Fictional Characters ............................................. 20 5.2.4 Separate Trademark and Copyright Protection......................................... 20 5.2.5 Limit Exclusive Rights to Future Markets................................................ 21 5.3 Change Industry Policy..................................................................................... 21 5.3.1 More Implicit Consent .............................................................................. 22 5.3.2 Private Licensing ...................................................................................... 22 5.3.3 Compulsory Public Licensing................................................................... 22 5.4 Industry-Fan Collaboration............................................................................... 23 5.4.1 Feedback ................................................................................................... 23 5.4.2 Fan Appreciation....................................................................................... 23 6 Conclusion