Before publishing or selling fan fiction or derivative works, get the original author's permission, or replace the borrowed characters' names and relationships with your own
- High value
- Evidence B
- Saves money
- Free
- Takes minutes
- Some willpower
In plain words
Even if fan fiction borrows only the characters' names, personalities and relationships, publishing it can be found to be infringement. Jiang Nan's (江南) "The Boys in This Town" (《此间的少年》) borrowed more than 60 of Jin Yong's characters, and on appeal he was ordered to pay 1,680,000 CNY (168万) plus 200,000 CNY (20万) in expenses. The case dragged on for 9 years and ended in mediation, in which he agreed not to reissue it as it was. For fan fiction written for free for fun, the court said it must be analyzed case by case.
Mentioned in
Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 9, tip 25. This section describes legal rules, mostly mainland China’s. It is general information, not legal advice; for your own case, talk to a lawyer. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer