Have you heard of Fifty Shades of Grey? Originally a fan fiction, posted on FF.net, the rights to publish the trilogy have been obtained by Vintage for a 7 figure sum!
Vintage have asserted that Fifty Shades of Grey deviates substantially from the original fan fiction, but a report from www.dearauthor.com shows that 89% of the text remains the same.
We want to hear your thoughts on this. Is it ok to adapt fan fiction for publication? Does this infringe Stephanie Meyer's copyright? Should Vintage have offered so much money?
It is not one I have heard of I have to admit. I think this is going to be a topic which is always going to have a split opinion. I have to admit I if I were to do such a book I would be making it plain that the original works were my inspiration.
Although, reading in to the story a little more. E. L James has changed the character names and given them new scenarios to follow, so I believe they think they are far enough away from the original story for it not to cause problems with the copyright, but it is such a shame. If this woman can write so well why can she not come up with her own story world. It would seem this is not uncommon either.
I think if she truly likes what is written, truly thinks it compliments her writing, then it should be her choice whether it should be allowed to be published. The one who wrote it should approach her for permission, with at least a title saying, 'based on a novel by...' or 'inspired by....' that way both get the credit. In the music world, bands wanting to do a cover of a song have to approach the writer of that song or whoever owns, get permission, then get released.
Not to mention, if she was nice enough to let that go ahead, she should recieve some sort of royalities from it, since its her work mainly.