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LET'S TALK FAN IDEAS
b/c my last tweet seemed to put some folks in a tizzy. (and I gotta remind myself it's been 15 yrs. Some folks are new to all this. God I'm old)
Anyway - I can't partake in fan ideas for legal reasons. Why's that? 1/7
b/c my last tweet seemed to put some folks in a tizzy. (and I gotta remind myself it's been 15 yrs. Some folks are new to all this. God I'm old)
Anyway - I can't partake in fan ideas for legal reasons. Why's that? 1/7
First, someone could point to a story/character/element and claim I stole the idea from them. Maybe they seek monetary damages? Maybe they just torpedo the online presence I've been cultivating my entire adult life? Either way it's bad news for me. 2/7
2nd, I might accidentally copy someone's great idea. They don't get any credit or compensation, and they look like the knock-off. That's not fair to them. And I can't catalogue & remember every single bit of media I'm exposed to, that'd be nuts. So I'm basically in quarantine 3/7
What counts as a "fan idea" & what doesn't?
SAFE EXAMPLES:
"I'm a big fan of Cream!"
"I wish Sally and the FF came back."
"I'd like to see more good ol' fashioned Sonic vs. Eggman"
Those are broad ideas or personal preferences, not a creative concept unique to one person. 4/7
SAFE EXAMPLES:
"I'm a big fan of Cream!"
"I wish Sally and the FF came back."
"I'd like to see more good ol' fashioned Sonic vs. Eggman"
Those are broad ideas or personal preferences, not a creative concept unique to one person. 4/7
BAD EXAMPLES
"This is my OC Noun the Animal. This is their backstory and powers!"
"I'd like to see a story where Sonic does X, Y and Z."
"If so-and-so comes back, they should look like this."
Those are all creative concepts, specific ideas, which are all your own. 5/7
"This is my OC Noun the Animal. This is their backstory and powers!"
"I'd like to see a story where Sonic does X, Y and Z."
"If so-and-so comes back, they should look like this."
Those are all creative concepts, specific ideas, which are all your own. 5/7
The line can get fuzzy sometimes. e.g. Tangle is an established character. Tangle in an alt. outfit is iffy.
99% of fans would be thrilled to see their ideas realized in some form. 1% would cause a lot of problems, and so I've got to play it safe. It sucks. 6/7
99% of fans would be thrilled to see their ideas realized in some form. 1% would cause a lot of problems, and so I've got to play it safe. It sucks. 6/7
There's no hard rules on what "counts" and what doesn't, but since I've got an active public presence in the fandom, I've got to be especially cautious.
Don't stop creating. Share and revel w/your friends and groups. Have fun! Just (sadly) leave me out of the loop. 7/7
Don't stop creating. Share and revel w/your friends and groups. Have fun! Just (sadly) leave me out of the loop. 7/7
Man this thread blew up.
Listen to me talk about even more stuff on my weekly Q&A podcast @BumbleKast
And if you've got the time/inclination, show a little love to my free webcomic @DroguneComic 8/7
Listen to me talk about even more stuff on my weekly Q&A podcast @BumbleKast
And if you've got the time/inclination, show a little love to my free webcomic @DroguneComic 8/7
