Don't panic.

[heidi]

I just read a post by vampsarecool regarding an lj & fic deletion by minervaalistor, who I didn't know, but I wanted to quickly take a moment to remind "the fandom" (actually, anyone in any fandom) that if a parent is threatening you and you've put ratings/minor-blocks on your fics, or if you get a cease & desist letter, dont panic. Post about it on fandom_lawyers, tell the EFF, report it at Chilling Effects. Don't just panic and delete everything and leave the fandom and run away without knowing the law and how it applies to you*.


*YMMV if you're an Australian resident or reside in a country like Saudi Arabia with such strict anti-porn laws that they ban Glamour magazine.

Comments

[gunderpants.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this post. Would I be allowed to post at fandom_lawyers if a whole fan fiction archive got such a threat from parents?

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. Nothing posted there is legal advice, per se, but it's a good informational clearing house for fandom-specific issues.

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

Whenever this happens, it makes me sorry.
Um, speaking as a parent, yes, there's plenty of content, on the Web, videogames, movies or other media, that is inappropriate for my children's ages and levels of development, or out of sync with the values we try to uphold as a family. That's why I have a filter on the computer, keep it in the family room or kitchen and monitor the media the kids want to consume. Cause it's, oh y'know my job as a parent? I'm also not afraid to say the word 'no' when I think it is called-for.

However this gives me no right to censor the free speech of others, even if I find it distasteful.

Why this Mom won't parent her 14 year old and then blames a total stranger for the media her teen consumes-beyond me.

[fatale.livejournal.com]

Wow, overreaction much? I'm terribly afraid I don't see the grounds for contacting the authorities over a kid reading something that she shouldn't have been reading. I feel like I'm missing something.

[prettyveela.livejournal.com]

Wow. :(

I'm saving this to memories.