Events happening today
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16 July 2026
This event began 07/16/2021 and repeats every year forever
Character Copyright 07/16/2021
COMMENTS IN ARTICLE
Fan fiction is a hot button for many professional writers. Broadly speaking, if the fan fiction is written by a non-professional and is non-commercial then it is more likely to be considered fair use, an exception to infringement. However, even if the work is not professional and not commercial, many writers consider fan fiction an infringement.
My purpose in writing this post is to make writers aware that their characters can have individual protections. It is a concept that should be considered when licensing the work, in an option agreement for instance. I have seen requests from producers to option not just the work, but certain characters in the work. Writers need to consider how they want to deal with those requests when they come. You do not need a multi-million dollar franchise to start thinking about it.
I will say one thing first, lawyers always reveal the most interesting legal battles in various subjects. I knew of none of these incidents. Thank you Ms/Mrs Goldman and as always thank you Jane Friedman for sharing.
I admit I wanted to have my first fan fiction this year and I failed. I like to create something I never did before each year. But this article made me realize I made two errors.
My first error was my inability to make a fan fiction. I am an original creator and every time I tried i kept making a world or characters that have no plot connection to the source fiction or characters. Imagine a story supposed to be set in the same world as harry potter but is primarily concerned with a magical detective agency in calcutta during the mughal era where the magicians don't use wands and the plot never goes to europe or the usa or mentions any spells in harry potter or any of the references of the movies or books. Is that fan fiction? or merely fiction that a writer has to say is based in the harry potter world?
But after this article, I made a second. I didn't put enough thought into the whole activity of fan fiction, especially to work that is not in a public domain. I am glad I failed to continue the use of the world or characters in the material I wanted to make fan fiction for. I still will like to try it. but I will start with a better dialog with the author. that is first
from
Richard Murray
Are Fictional Characters Protected Under Copyright Law?
July 14, 2021 by Kathryn Goldman
Today’s post is from intellectual property attorney Kathryn Goldman (@KathrynGoldman) of the Creative Law Center.
Jack Ryan, the analytical, yet charming CIA analyst, made an appearance in federal court in Maryland earlier this year. The heirs to Tom Clancy’s literary legacy are fighting over him. Unlike in the movies, he’s not in a great position to fight back.
It all started when Clancy signed the publishing deal for The Hunt for Red October where Jack Ryan made his debut in 1984. In a departure from common practice, Clancy transferred his copyright in Red October to the publisher. A few years later, Clancy realized his mistake and was able to negotiate return of the copyright for the book. He immediately transferred the reverted copyright to his company.
Here’s the crux of the current court battle: When Clancy mistakenly transferred his copyright in the book Red October to the original publisher, did the copyright to the character Jack Ryan go with it? Or did Clancy retain the character copyright? In normal practice, the sale of the right to publish a copyrighted story does not stop the author from using its characters in future works.
If Clancy retained the rights to the character when he signed the initial publishing contract, then the rights that reverted from the publisher would not have included the copyright for the character. The reverted rights Clancy turned around and transferred into his company would not have included the character rights. All of which means that the character, Jack Ryan, is part of Clancy’s estate and not controlled by the company he set up.
Jack Ryan is a valuable character with his own copyright separate from the copyright in the book. Everybody concerned, the owners of the company and the heirs to the estate, wants a piece of him, or all of him. And it’s not clear where Mr. Ryan currently resides.
Fictional characters are not listed in the copyright statute as a separate class of protectable work. There’s no application at the Copyright Office for them. But over the years, the law on character protection has evolved.
Courts have held, in certain circumstances, that fictional characters are protectable in their own right.
This is important because characters with independent copyright can be licensed separately from the stories in which they originally appeared. It’s another way for authors to divide their rights to create multiple income streams. That’s the beauty of copyright. It’s divisible. An author can keep some rights and license others. It’s what Clancy did and his company/estate is still doing with the Jack Ryan franchise.
Not every character can be protected by copyright. Stock characters cannot be protected—a drunken old bum, a slippery snake oil salesman, a hooker with a heart of gold, a wicked stepmother, a gypsy fortune teller, and so on. They are essentially ideas for characters, vague and lightly sketched. Copyright does not give anyone a monopoly on ideas. Protecting stock characters would prevent as yet untold stories from being told. Depriving the world of new stories is exactly the opposite of what copyright is intended to promote—the creation of more stories, more art.
A character must be well delineated to be protected.
It must have consistent and identifiable character traits and attributes so it is recognizable wherever it appears. Think James Bond and his distinctive character traits: his cool demeanor; his overt sexuality; his love of martinis “shaken, not stirred”; his marksmanship; his “license to kill”; his physical strength; and his sophistication. Bond is protected by copyright. The Bond character is identifiable regardless of who depicts him.
Defining the well-delineated character can be difficult. Characters that are central to a story tend to change. They evolve. They are built up throughout the book until they are fully formed in the mind of the reader. Without character transformation there is no hero’s journey, no story. Characters can become more delineated and more protectable over the course of a series of books. Bond developed over the course of 14 books written by Ian Fleming and continues to develop on film.
Characters that are less developed are less likely to be protected. Those characters are less expression and more idea. There’s a gray area that needs to be navigated when balancing the protection for original characters but leaving character ideas in the public domain free for all to use.
Public domain characters cannot be protected
But new characters created from public domain works can be protected. Consider Enola Holmes, the younger sister of Sherlock. The Sherlock Holmes stories have been slipping into the public domain for years now, to the chagrin of the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle. The creative elements of Sherlock Holmes stories that are in the public domain can be used by others to build new stories.
Enola Holmes was introduced to readers in a series of young adult books written by Nancy Springer. Enola does not exist in the Conan Doyle canon; she was created by Springer. She has distinctive traits (high intelligence, keen observational skills and insight, skills in archery, fencing, and martial arts, an independent thinker who defies Victorian norms for women) that combine to make her well delineated and protectable.
Another wrinkle: “The story being told” test
The “well delineated character” is the most widely accepted legal test used to decide whether a fictional character is protected by copyright, but it is not the only one. The other is “the story being told” test. Sam Spade is responsible for this test.
Dashiell Hammett created Sam Spade when he wrote The Maltese Falcon. Hammett licensed the exclusive rights to use the book in movies, radio, and television to Warner Brothers. Hammett later wrote other stories with Sam Spade. Warner Bros. complained that it owned exclusive rights to the character and Hammett couldn’t write about him anymore.
Ironically, the court protected Hammett’s right as the creator to use Sam Spade in future stories by deciding that the character was not protected by copyright. Sam Spade is just a vehicle for telling the story and is not the story itself. He is the chessman in the game of telling the story. It was the story that was licensed to Warner Bros., not the chessman.
A character is protected under the “story being told” test when he dominates the story in a way that there would be no story without him. This test sets a high bar for character protection. To protect the character, the story would essentially have to be a character study. The Maltese Falcon is not a character study of Sam Spade.
An example of character protection using the “story being told test” is the Rocky franchise. A screenwriter wrote a story on spec using the characters Rocky, Adrian, Apollo Creed, and Paulie. The work was considered to be an infringing use of the characters. The characters were protected because the movies focused on the characters and their relationships, not on intricate plot or story lines. The characters were the story being told. The writer could not avoid the infringement touchpoint of substantial similarity when he took the characters and used them in a new storyline.
In summary
Fictional characters can lead a new and independent life completely separate from the original work in which they appear. They are an additional creative asset in a writer’s intellectual property portfolio. There is no straight forward way to register for character protection with the Copyright Office other than as part of the larger work. Authors will be well served to think about protecting the rights in their characters when signing publishing contracts and licensing agreements.
Kathryn Goldman
Kathryn Goldman is an intellectual property attorney and Editor-in-Chief at the Creative Law Center. She represents, writes for, and teaches creatives and entrepreneurs about copyright and content protection, trademark basics and branding, and business building. She can be reached at Kathryn@creativelawcenter.com.
ARTICLE LINK
https://www.janefriedman.com/are-fictional-characters-protected-under-copyright-law/
COMMENT ON FACEBOOK POST
Wiley Saichek
Jane Friedman My client Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (we ran an excerpt from her book on writing a few years ago) is one of those writers who are extremely protective of her characters and does not grant anyone the usage of her characters in fan fiction, even in amateur publications, not for profit outlets. From her point of view and her lawyers at the times, distribution is a key factor, not whether the infringing fan writer makes any money off of it.
My personal suggestion is if anyone wants to use a character they did not create, ask the copyright holder's permission and respect their decision. I.e. Quinn has written stories in the Holmes universe but got permission from the estate and had rules to follow.
Quinn's most serious case of infringement happened in the 1990s, she wrote two essays about it in a SF publication in 1992. In her case she was asked and said no, and the fan writer wrote it anyway and it ran in a fanzine with a note acknowledging CQY declined permission but they were going to run it anyway and hope she will forgive them. I think they actually used three of her recurring characters.
Many fans and writers disagree with how she handled it, but she has zero sense of humor about it.
FACEBOOK Link
https://www.facebook.com/jane.friedman/posts/10159604823112417?__cft__[0]=AZXv6tqLEho3qt9e6ECOp5g8Bm4JmEefiGUqUC07rvEpR6crPews6VYpt6oZ--49mda_yRlyZRU7ZZzwkjlNy5dcdppQGrPoVf3IqR2fe0CYcoVHMDkNisftkhyxdUO_YtU&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
Original Post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=1572&type=status
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16 July 2026
This event began 07/16/2025 and repeats every year forever
Example
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/My-Antagonist-for-part-3-of-the-4-part-challenge-1218771253
Extended Example
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-3-Extended-antagonist-1214202381
Challenge
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-3-Antagonist-1212132850
PRAISE
from Remivan [ https://www.deviantart.com/remivan ]
Thank you for this incredibly detailed and helpful "tutorial" on crafting antagonists! While I’m unable to participate in the challenge (as I use AI in my writing process, which goes against the rules), I found the insights truly invaluable.
You’ve given me a new perspective on my story analytics. Some pieces reach tens of thousands of views, yet engagement (likes/favorites) remains quite modest. It made me wonder: could the lack of a strong, well-defined antagonist-driven conflict be a factor? Honestly, I rarely use this trope intentionally—even in real life, I don’t tend to see clear-cut ‘villains,’ just complex human motivations.
But your breakdown—especially distinguishing an antagonist’s goal (their core desire) from their role (actions taken to achieve it, including opposing the protagonist)—was revelatory! I’ll consciously integrate this technique into future stories and tune my LLMs to craft deeper, motivationally grounded antagonists using your guidelines (tying them to the setting, profession, and personal aims).
A question for the tutorial creators or community: Are there specialized frameworks, system prompts, or best practices for writers like me who use AI assistance? Anything to help weave character-building techniques (like antagonist development) into collaborative human-AI workflows to strengthen narrative conflict? I’d deeply appreciate any tips or resources!
Thanks again for this installment—immensely inspiring, even as a non-participant!
https://www.deviantart.com/comments/1/1212132850/5224464795
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16 July 2026
This event began 07/16/2025 and repeats every year forever
FOR AALBC
PROTAGONIST
Unknown name is a married midde aged man, of the Utility Farmer, many consider the best cook in the command; his wife is a multiutility Farmer+Entertainer, she makes street art. His wife side him have two children. One, a boy, is an Initiate, while the other, a girl, is in the Kindergarten. Their male child's teachers say he is talented in all utilities. While the teachers say their female child has a comforting touch of a healer. He has never ventured outside the Command, nor is he a great fighter. Loyal to the chain of command.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-2-Protagonist-1212132548
forum post
https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/11728-a-story-for-aalbc-part-2/
FOR Black Artist Of Tumblr
PROTAGONIST
Unknown name is a Black Swede, in his thirties, who runs a drug dealing outfit in Harlem in Manhattan in NYC in the 1960s. It operates in the domain of the Genovese crime family of the Five Families. The outfit is making so much money, they have an arrangement with a former local rival, Copeland's gang , to run all the numbers and dice and other gambling in Harlem if they support the outfit when called. The Black Swede know English/Swedish/German/Latin. Fully trust his lieutenants because he has to regardless if he wants. Has ambitions for the outfit but doesn't let ambition deny a modern situation or create a faulty strategy.
His lieutenants are
A white Swedish former maid he has known for years. Don't know her relationship to Black Swede yet.
Tex and Sug, an old black couple, Tex does accounting for the outfit while Sug is a school teacher, hired by Richard Green, the first Black school chancellor of NYC , hired by Robert Wagner.
Stephanie and Bump- two former rulers of Black underground life in harlem, now silverhaired and a reunited coupe, but financiers to the outfit,and are positively connected to all the churches or other places of worship in Harlem alongside all the community advocates from Garveyites to NAACP members or Black Panthers for Self Defense.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-2-Protagonist-1212132548
Community Post
https://www.tumblr.com/communities/black-artist-on-tjambler/post/789288537445089280/a-story-for-black-artist-of-tumblr-02
FOR MidnightHour
PROTAGONIST
Socialist Ama , a burlesque swordswoman. Uses the NYC code of conduct to battle burlesque to acquire the adoration of the most people sequentially, winning the right for her laws to be implemented. In her early thirties, she is ready to fight. She uses radical burlesque techniques which are fan favorites for the youngest voters. Flamboyant in all things. She uses a foil sword. Performing for socialist causes to finally get their due in the city.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-2-Protagonist-1212132548
Community Post
https://www.tumblr.com/communities/midnight-hour/post/789288897647673344/a-story-for-midnighthour-part-2?source=share
FOR Film Noir Pigeons
PROTAGONIST
Unknown name is a cryptocracker, a private detective for crypto cases in a Universal Basic Income (UBI( country. He lives in New York City (NYC) the only city in the world where crypto currencies can be exchanged for dollar currency. Black man, between late thirties to early forties, unmarried. He lives with his parents in an apartment. He has past experience with a woman, black, late thirties to early forties; she is a female courier from Brasil who makes transaction of crypto currencies into us dollars. His secretary is a woman, black, mocha complexion, married to a scholar who is an ardent supporter of the second non proliferation treaty SNPT for the advantages it will give their children. He drinks tea. For alcohol he likes Hot Sex from Bartender's Trading. He rides a custom Citroen DS Décapotable Cabriolet d'Usine Electrogenic.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-2-Protagonist-1212132548
Community Post
https://www.tumblr.com/communities/filmnoirpigeons/post/789289180915204096/a-story-for-film-noir-pigeons-part-2?source=share
Part 1
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/403-community-stories-001-part-1/
Part 2
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/407-community-stories-001-part-2/
part 3
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/408-community-stories-001-part-3/
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16 July 2026
This event began 07/16/2025 and repeats every year forever
FOR AALBC
ANTAGONIST
The Untouchable World, the overwhelming majority of the world. It is sparsely speckled by Urban Commands. An expanse that has developed in unknown ways to the Urbaners and because of that has unknown dangers. An expanse that is the home to Untouchables, lineages of many species plant or animal or fungus mutated by the Tactile Virus; said Untouchables are now immune to the Tactile Virus through herd immunity and sometimes make up the landscape, sometimes live in it. The awareness or purpose of Untouchable species are not catalogued, listed, or usually comprehended by Urbaners. The Tactile Virus is carried by all in the Untouchable World and thus makes the Untouchable World dangerous to any who have not been infected which is most Urbaners and every Urbaner of Urban Command 259. The Untouchable world has Roamers, mysterious figures whose identity, allegiance, purposes are usually unknown to Urbaners or Untouchables alike making them a danger to both.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-3-Antagonist-1212132850
forum post
https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/11729-a-story-for-aalbc-part-3/
FOR Black Artist Of Tumblr
ANTAGONIST
An unknown middle aged European individual,who is very concerned about exposure, is watching the events in HArlem for their own agenda. They will use and manipulate or hinder the following set of antagonist to achieve their goal.
The Genovese crime family that governs most of Manhattan, including Harlem, wants control of the new drug from Harlem. It is led by Eboli, the current capo. Eboli has put Lombardo in charge, Lombardo worked his way from soldier to a junior capo. Lombardo has experience working around Harlem.
Pfizer has a new CEO in John Powers jr and he has constructed a new office downtown Manhattan. Pfizer has taken an economic hit recently and he wants to regain momentum lost. He wants everything about the illegal drug in Harlem for Pfizer.
Johnson and Johnson in New Jersey have a new CEO Philip B Hofmann who has started his tenure with success and wants to squeeze pharmaceutical rivals. He wants everything about the illegal drug in Harlem for Johnson and Johnson.
The NYPD have suffered a blow with the end of Tammany Hall by mayor Robert Wagner jr and want a greater cut of the new illegal drug market in Harlem.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-3-Antagonist-1212132850
Community Post
https://www.tumblr.com/communities/black-artist-on-tjambler/post/789290107159134208/a-story-for-black-artist-of-tumblr-03?source=share
FOR MidnightHour
ANTAGONIST
Sergeant Erica , a burlesque swordswoman. Uses the NYC code of conduct to battle burlesque to acquire the adoration of the most people sequentially, winning the right for her laws to be implemented. In her sixties, she is very experienced in managing the biggest contingents of fans in the city, from the financial well to do or law enforcement. She uses a foil. Is a standard performer. Performing to retain the laws she won in a prior Battle Royal.
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-3-Antagonist-1212132850
Community Post
https://www.tumblr.com/communities/midnight-hour/post/789290513756979200/a-story-for-midnighthour-part-3?source=share
FOR Film Noir Pigeons
ANTAGONIST
An unknown has committed a crime. The potential culprits are:
Someone at the exchange, the only exchange where cyptocurrency can be exchanged for dollars. A teller or the manager.
Father Pedro, a catholic clergyman who publicly protests the second non proliferation treaty as inhumane.
A former realtor for the Corcoran group who never recovered the losses from the abrupt move to the SNDT and lives indebted with anger.
A doctor just back from a profitable vacation in the
The female courier from brazil
the cryptocracker from nyc
referral to contest
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/journal/Writing-Challenge-Part-3-Antagonist-1212132850
Community Post
https://www.tumblr.com/communities/filmnoirpigeons/post/789291414477471744/a-story-for-film-noir-pigeons-part-3?source=share
Part 1
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/403-community-stories-001-part-1/
Part 2
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/407-community-stories-001-part-2/
part 3
https://aalbc.com/tc/events/event/408-community-stories-001-part-3/
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