Fan-Art, Fan-Fiction & the Law

Fan art and fan fiction are based on (usually very well-known) original works. Particularly when fan art and fan fiction are published, one should therefore take a close look to see whether the rights of third parties to the work are not possibly being violated: because the actors and actresses or authors of the original works (or usually their publishers and agencies …) quickly feel that their feet have been stepped on. Warnings and quite noticeable claims for compensation can be the result.

Fan fiction and fan art can infringe the copyright of the original work. Copyright is a sharp sword – sometimes perhaps even too sharp. Therefore, we want to take a look at the point at which the copyright of the original work is affected, how far the protection goes and whether there might not be one or the other trick or trick how you can confidently show your fan fiction and fan art. We will also take an in-depth look at the right of personality, e.g. of film and series actors, and will see when, for example, your drawing can be presented on your socials without any problems and where the boundaries are to be drawn.