Oh, I read it. They allude to issues and points, but don't actually identify them.
It provides a very simple 'WTF' hook for a wider issue.Not if they don't state clearly what the wider issue is.
Dawn: Is that supposed to scare me? Spike: Little tremble wouldn't hurt.
'The Killer In Me'
Firefly 4: Also, we can kill you with our brains
Discussion of the Mutant Enemy series, Firefly, the ensuing movie Serenity, and other projects in that universe. Like the other show threads, anything broadcast in the US is fine; spoilers are verboten and will be deleted if found.
Strega - Oct 31, 2006 11:23:16 am PST #8932 of 10001
Kevin - Oct 31, 2006 11:36:02 am PST #8933 of 10001
Never fall in love with somebody you actually love.
Strega, did you notice it has links all over the shop?
I have to admit, I haven't objectively read it from the point of view of somebody outside of the fandom.
Allyson - Oct 31, 2006 11:41:47 am PST #8934 of 10001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
I can't read anything in a justified layout. Is that just me? It freaks my eyes out.
Strega - Oct 31, 2006 12:38:16 pm PST #8935 of 10001
Strega, did you notice it has links all over the shop?I don't know what shop you're talking about. I saw the links at the invoice site. The problem is not that I don't understand the background. The problem is that when I read this:
we thought that asking fans to tally those hours and publishing the totals for all to see would be a gentler way to make both the specific point about Browncoat marketing for Serenity and the more general point about the relationship between producers of entertainment and their increasing (and knowing) reliance in the 21st century on fanbases to help promote that entertainment.
And
We simply believe that issues are raised in this area when a company knowingly has accepted the promotional work of fans.
I think, "And what are they?" I can make some guesses, but when someone's trying to frame an argument, it's a good idea to actually, y'know, state what it is, instead of just alluding to it.
Using "chilling effect" to describe the situation strikes me as a tad over the top as well.
Polter-Cow - Oct 31, 2006 12:56:01 pm PST #8936 of 10001
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
I think, "And what are they?" I can make some guesses, but when someone's trying to frame an argument, it's a good idea to actually, y'know, state what it is, instead of just alluding to it.
Well, the issues could be more well defined, but I think the "points" you cite are...pretty much pointed. Browncoats marketed for Serenity, and there exists a relationship between producers of entertainment and their increasing and knowing reliance on fanbases to help promote that entertainment. I suppose it's not entire clear what that "relationship" is, but the point that said producers relied on fanbase promotion is there.
Strega - Oct 31, 2006 1:32:14 pm PST #8937 of 10001
Browncoats marketed for Serenity, and there exists a relationship between producers of entertainment and their increasing and knowing reliance on fanbases to help promote that entertainment.
Right. ...And? I mean, the implication I get is "And therefore, this isn't fair." I guess? I don't know, because there's a lot of supporting statements, and then no actual thesis. They tell me that they're not arguing against copyrights or trademarks. Swell. What are they arguing for?
Polter-Cow - Oct 31, 2006 1:33:44 pm PST #8938 of 10001
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Free pizza?
Simon - Oct 31, 2006 1:39:17 pm PST #8939 of 10001
There is a fair bit of self righteous indignation going on cause as always it has to be the "fans good, everyone else bad" mindsight. But peeling aside and ignoring the "oh no, I didn't realise I was only being used" fan spasms, Universal lawyers used bully boy tactics against a fan who did her best to promote something she loved. And that it is unfair in my view and not on.
Topic!Cindy - Oct 31, 2006 3:18:05 pm PST #8940 of 10001
What is even happening?
I think Strega is right. I think if there is any point (and I'm not sure there is, honestly), it is: Universal is now billing fans for work Universal asked the fans to do.
That's the fans' only leg on which to stand, But you need to say it clearly like that, and cite chapter and verse of Universal's requests, with screen shots of the requests, not archives of dead links that once linked to the requests.
I'm also wondering what 'links all over the shop' means.
Consuela - Oct 31, 2006 3:26:05 pm PST #8941 of 10001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
Universal is now billing fans for work Universal asked the fans to do.
Yeah, that's the point that needs to be made pretty clearly.
Additionally, Universal is violating the standard procedure for such legal actions, which is that you send out a C&D letter and shut them down, you don't invoice them. Especially if your ownership of the intellectual property in question is less than completely established. (I understand they never trademarked "Serenity", right? And I gather a lot of the merchandise 11th Hour was selling didn't have clearly copyright-violating images or phrases on it, either.)
Universal's lawyers are being jerks, and I wonder how much of this is fueled by terror of the internets, and not actually sensible marketing strategy.