Terry Brooks has made millions for his publisher, and the whining that he was just writing warmed-over Tolkien has never really gone away. I find it incredibly unlikely that any content owner would sue without some blantent stealing of names (if not Harry, then at least 'Hogwarts' or 'muggles'). You can't copyright a plot, or a characterization.
Or, in other words, I understand your frustration, but I don't think it's ever going to go away. For one thing, people who have never heard of fan fiction or fandom write unintentionally derivitive books and get them published on a regular basis -- so hell, if one of 'us' does it too, I can't get too upset about it. Maybe you should use your library, or look for free first chapters on line before you spend your money.
As far as whether "they" care or not
Date: 9 Feb 2010 07:00 pm (UTC)Or, in other words, I understand your frustration, but I don't think it's ever going to go away. For one thing, people who have never heard of fan fiction or fandom write unintentionally derivitive books and get them published on a regular basis -- so hell, if one of 'us' does it too, I can't get too upset about it. Maybe you should use your library, or look for free first chapters on line before you spend your money.