“No Endorsement”
In an article for Locus, Cory Doctorow suggests a labeling system for fan creations: “No Endorsement.”
Previously, Nina Paley suggested a label called “Creator Endorsed,” which would allow fan creations and derivative works to be officially – and recognizably – endorsed by the creator of the original work. By creating a stamp, much like the recognizable Creative Commons stamp, it would be easy to determine the relationship of any derivative work to the original creator.
Doctorow suggests that instead of “Creator Endorsed,” we should think about a stamp called “No Endorsement.” Specifically, he’s talking about applying this stamp to “on-demand objects”: as 3D printing becomes more and more popular, we will soon all be able to print objects on demand – and design objects that could be printed by others. These objects are different than other fan-created objects in that they are not artisanal, but not mass-produced either – so it isn’t fair to treat them as art, exactly, but it isn’t fair to act as though they’re being made by big corporations, either.
One key aspect of Doctorow’s proposal: if one wanted to use the “No Endorsement” stamp, one would also be required to share one’s profits with the original IP owner.
When I read this proposal, my mind turned to less tangible goods. Could we apply this stamp, if it ever came into existence, to fan fiction? Then fanfic authors could choose to sell their works if they wanted without running afoul of fair use law. But would such a stamp be acceptable to the fan fiction community? Probably not to everyone – but to some, yes, certainly.
Implementing a proposal like this might make perfect sense to communities of ‘makers,’ or to 3D printing enthusiasts, but if it ever comes about, it will take a great deal of thought before it can be implemented for authors and (most) visual artists.*
*Even though Nina Paley suggested the Creator Endorsed label, I’m not sure that most artists would want to give up their rights as creators of transformative works so quickly…
6/07/2011DiversosFlourish Klink
In an article for Locus, Cory Doctorow suggests a labeling system for fan creations: “No Endorsement.” Previously, Nina Paley suggested a label called “Creator Endorsed,” which[...]