i dont understand....................................

^ me neither!!

Me neither I need it explained but then again I'm always slow!! And Im a new SLYTHERIN!! sorry bout that.

lol i think they are saying that we whsould be using PG13 rating etc onffcs but there is no way for them to stop it i dont think.

wats dat really abt?????

Try reading it, it really isn't that hard. What they're saying is by rating FF's using Movie Ratings, you could be infringing copyright laws. But as lawyers quoted in the article prove, that notion is ridiculous.

That's odd... I never would have thought that using movie rating would be a copyright infringement... Did they really copyright those ratings? And why are they suddenly putting up a big stink about it now? People have been using their ratings for quite a long time now... Weird. o_O

Oh no! *runs around in hysterics* They're after me! All my fanfics will be deleted and I'll be burned at the stake! *screams*


ROFL! That's ridiculous! It's not like we're getting published fanfics are all good fun! Chill out.

thanks marcella_riddle.i got it now.

Noel - It's not about the FF's themselves (for once!) it's the use of the ratings that they are attacking.

OoOoO! Now i get it!

I was gonna say the same thing. I mean, now they wake up! It always happens, i tell you...

they've probably been waiting until they run out of money to sue.

okay marcella riddle but don't you think they'll be a bit curious after reading about fanfiction as to why people are using copyrighted characters? i'm frightened!

^^ Exactly my thoughts!! & I don't think its that big of a deal!!

Thats mad!
Do the film companys know we are using them to protect readers who are not ready for the material in a fan-fiction.
Or are they once again on the hunt for money and profits? mmm let me think ..... yep!

Well legally, they are within their right. If they own the copyright for the various ratings used in the scale then they also have the ability to enforce it. The real question is now can they actually enforce this, and to what extent are they willing to go?

Riddle love the Doctor Who pictures. It is good to have the Doctor on are screens after a 16 or is it 15 years!

stupid to contact people about their fanfic ratings! how else are u meant to rate them?! K-Muggle pokes at the copyright attackers and then runs after them

^ read the full article they suggest some sort of a bunny system it's hysterical!

This whole fervor is a load of nonsense. Thanks to the people who created these ratings, we now have a social standard for "grading" the level of content in a source of entertainment, be it films, music, writing, etc. In fact, they should be flattered that people are using them, because it means that people are familiar with what these ratings mean, and use them to accurately rate their material for different audiences. The fic I'm writing right now has a PG-13 element, but I think I may be treading into the R territory, which I'm trying not to do so I can keep it somewhat safe for those under 18, who probably will be the biggest readers of HP fics. Pardon the shameless plug, but I'm stating that if you look at the fic and see "PG-13," "PG," and the like, then you've got an idea of the language, violence, nudity, or any of the other "naughty bits" that make the FCC pounce upon you like a pack of rabid hyenas. It's a service that we provide to readers so that they know what they're getting into! Arrgh, pardon my rant, but I personally think that the nutjobs that are going into a tizzy about this are just using it as a distraction for something bigger that they don't want the public to know about. I'm no conspiracy fanatic or anything, but I do think that the government and big corporations need to BUTT OUT and just sit on their hands for a while so we all can go about our happy little lives productively. And before I forget, I big thumbs-up to the moderators for creating and enforcing the ratings rule on fanfics here. Mad props.

No because FF's are covered by disclaimers.

Indeed but let's stay on topic

I could not agree with you more Squirrel Animagus!

I think its stupid, but you never know what companies will do. But then again its not like the use of the ratings is costing them money, like napster and the music industry. SO i don't see how the use of the ratings on ffs hurt the company at all! Just sounds like a boring day at the office and someone stumbled onto a ff and hey! it was something to do

Continuing this discussion, I think the Movie Association for America may simply be rattling their sabre as it were to remind people who came up with the ratings. While legally it makes sense, practically speaking, yelling at people who use their ratings for non-profit generating purposes is silly. Just like using familiar characters and stories, using familiar ratings while making no money does little more than increase popular support for the rating system (thus increasing its overall effectiveness) while not taking away any of the overall revenue the MAA recieves.

So some people use these ratings on fanfics, wow that's such a big deal! omg people they just...annoy me sometimes!! I mean how else are people meant to know what's gonna be in a fanfic, a reader may not like lots of swearing and things in stories but without any warnings nobody would know! Jeesh, it's just like using the British certificates, like 12A and stuff! *Goes off in a huff*