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white_serpent
2008-02-06 10:43 pm UTC (link)

Yes; I did see those.

However, by placing a CC license on it at all, Brust is explicitly asserting that he holds copyright over the novel... it's just that he's choosing to distribute it for free.

Since Joss has explicitly said he doesn't want tie-in novels for Firefly written, we're back to the legal question of whether fanfiction is (1) an unauthorized derivative work and therefore (2) uncopyrightable. (Or whether the magic powers of saying, "But I'm not making any money, well, maybe some, but not a lot, really!" suddenly turn it into fair use.)

He's publicly going against what Joss said he wanted regarding Firefly, asserting copyright over it, and potentially collecting donations. This could be a problem.

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puipui
2008-02-07 12:09 am UTC (link)

This could be a problem.

Yeah, if this ever goes to lawyers, I think the best thing fandom can hope for is a very clearly delineation between throwing a story up onto a webpage somewhere and an actual claim of copyright via publication under a Creative Commons license. And the worst thing... well, let's just say that I'd hate to start remembering Steven Brust less for his books and more for being that fucktard who ruined fanfic for everyone. Bleh.

But, hey, if he gets that sex change, it'll be a great test case for OTW! Let's hope he's represented by Heidi, I would never stop laughing at that.

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