George R.R. Martin and copyright bogosity

[FSBlueApocalypse]

http://grrm.livejournal.com/151914.html

I'm a big fan of the Song of Ice and Fire series and the Game of Thrones TV show, but Martin's views on copyright and fan fiction are kind of disturbing.

He essentially argues that fan fiction, even if it's just for fun, is illegal under copyright law and that he should be able to sue you for potential damages.

[MrBogosity]

Kind of makes me glad I've never seen Game of Thrones...

[FSBlueApocalypse]

Kind of makes me glad I've never seen Game of Thrones...

I remember hearing a great quote (I think from Stefan) about why writers/performers in general tend to be more statists. It is one of the only markets where supply far out paces demand.

[Goaticus]

http://grrm.livejournal.com/151914.html

I'm a big fan of the Song of Ice and Fire series and the Game of Thrones TV show, but Martin's views on copyright and fan fiction are kind of disturbing.

He essentially argues that fan fiction, even if it's just for fun, is illegal under copyright law and that he should be able to sue you for potential damages.

If in court they prove it was essentially free marketing for his books and movies will he owe them money?

[evensgrey]

http://grrm.livejournal.com/151914.html

I'm a big fan of the Song of Ice and Fire series and the Game of Thrones TV show, but Martin's views on copyright and fan fiction are kind of disturbing.

He essentially argues that fan fiction, even if it's just for fun, is illegal under copyright law and that he should be able to sue you for potential damages.

US Copyright law is so screwed up now that he may well be right.

[AnCap Dave]

Never read his books (despite others insisting that I do) and now I have no reason to.

Fuck him in the neck.

[Lord T Hawkeye]

I remember hearing a great quote (I think from Stefan) about why writers/performers in general tend to be more statists. It is one of the only markets where supply far out paces demand.

That really just begs the question of why there's so many hackjob writers making money given how many good ones are out there getting no credit.

No I'm not bitter.  I wouldn't touch hollywood with a 30 foot pole.

[MrBogosity]

Take any random Hollywood movie and the writing/directing will likely suck. Take any random independent movie and the writing/directing will be much better. It's like all of Hollywood is one gigantic subsidy for hacks.

[Ibrahim90]

Take any random Hollywood movie and the writing/directing will likely suck. Take any random independent movie and the writing/directing will be much better. It's like all of Hollywood is one gigantic subsidy for hacks.

reminds me of something Bruce Campbell said about Indies actually: he talked about how that one ghost movie was great when it first came out, being independent, but when Hollywood made another movie of it's type, it sucked hard. having seen the latter, I would agree with him on that. (it's supposed to be this documentary/travelogue style deal: I forgot the name).

of course, Campbell made his name being the lead in a very famous indie movie series: the evil dead.  which I must say was pretty awesome...IMO.

but whether indies are generally speaking better than Hollywood? that's hard to say: I would argue that it's more scattered in performance, whereas Hollywood is consistently meh to sucky. then again, you're talking to a guy who saw things like:

[spoiler]

1. Turkish Starwars
2. Brazilian Spiderman
3. Robowars (by Bruno Matei)
4. Alone in the dark
5. anything by Bruno Matei
6. Shot on shiteos
7. the Room (God help me...I was only  20).
[/spoiler]

as well as reviews of these and many others.

I will admit though, usually when it's bad, it's usually still enjoyable: I admit to liking Bruno Matei's movies--especially with Reb Brown as a lead (yes, the SpoonyOne introduced me to both). they're generally shit, but still enjoyable.

at least with them, there is the element of anticipation: you don't have to expect the repetitive hollywood plot themes to be featured. It can be anything!

EDIT: actually while we're on the topic:

[spoiler][yt]gsgIq7cxhJk&feature=related[/yt][/spoiler]

the Room is an example of copyright bogosity: while Doug was Legally OK to make this, Wiseau films took his video down. this is in fact a mirror.

[MrBogosity]

Yeah, you can smell the cartelization in Hollywood. I think it was Ben Affleck who said it'd be a lot better off if they just concerned themselves with whether or not the movie made money.

Whereas with indie directors, while always concerned about making money, also do it as a labor of love.

[evensgrey]

Yeah, you can smell the cartelization in Hollywood. I think it was Ben Affleck who said it'd be a lot better off if they just concerned themselves with whether or not the movie made money.

Whereas with indie directors, while always concerned about making money, also do it as a labor of love.

Indie directors also don't need to worry about making as MUCH money, since they don't have nearly as many unproductive hangers-on (like a whole raft of movie studio executives).

And to think, it all could have been based in New York, if only Tomas Edison hadn't been such a colossal racist jerkass.

[Travis Retriever]

Take any random Hollywood movie and the writing/directing will likely suck. Take any random independent movie and the writing/directing will be much better. It's like all of Hollywood is one gigantic subsidy for hacks.

That reminded me of a quote from Dale Everett (the Anarchyinyourhead guy) in one of his articles about IP (and why it isn't logical or valid):

"We're all familiar with a world where producers of media tend to be either tremendously successful and wealthy or else hedged completely out of the market.  There's been very little middle ground.   Smaller bands benefit from the easy distribution of digital media and the Internet.  They can grow a fan base by reaching a niche market of listeners who would not have discovered them in the past.  $300 million blockbuster movies that make billions might lose market share as it becomes easier to obtain the media which is arguably overpriced.  And seriously, take a look at the multi-million dollar crap that's been churned out and ask if it's much of a loss." (emphasis added by me)
Source:  http://anarchyinyourhead.com/2010/10/07/the-trouble-with-selling-tribbles/