Organization for Transformative Works - Fanlore

Note: Fanlore (this wiki) is a project of the OTW.

About the OTW

The Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) is a nonprofit organization established by fans to serve the interests of fans by providing access to and preserving the history of fanworks and fan culture in its myriad forms.

Visit the website for updates on the OTW’s projects, and the FAQ for detailed information on the organization's background and philosophy.

The OTW -- by virtue of the fact that many of its founders and volunteers are aca-fans or aca-fen, and its related journal Transformative Works and Cultures -- is also considered to be a movement toward increasing fannish exposure and toward the study of fandom as a concept. This giant project by fans from all walks of fandom is a new 21st century approach to fan behavior and fandom's place in the world of cultural and critical studies.

Governance

The OTW is run by an elected board, members of which have three-year terms. For a history of those who have served on the board, see Organization for Transformative Works/Board.

History of the OTW

In May 2007, Astolat suggested that fans needed An Archive of One's Own. This was the impetus for the creation of the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW). Originally known as the FanArchive project, the OTW was renamed to better reflect the argument that transformative works are legitimate under current US copright law (see Campbell v. Acuff-Rose).

The OTW is a fan-run nonprofit organization established to provide free services to fans, such as a fiction archive, and to advocate for fans who need assistance when faced with legal issues or media interest due to their fannish pursuits.

Controversy & Debate

Some of the many points on which the OTW has been criticised include, but are not limited to:

• Bringing fanworks to the attention of the Powers That Be, making litigation more likely, thus destroying fandom in the process. And One More Thing by ethrosdemon
• Undermining the legitimacy of copyright. The Organization for Transformative Works and Its Bid to Protect Fan Fiction: Are Its Proposed Changes to Copyright Law, Creating Immunity for Suits Against FanFic, a Good Idea? by Julie Hilden
• A lack of transparency, especially with regard to not publicly linking board members' names and fannish pseuds. Ah ok by ethrosdemon
• Being sexist. No One Has Any Pants by dumas1 and Why I Don't Care for OTW beckyh2112
• Doing nothing. Math is Slow by randomsome1

Some of the many counter-arguments include, but are not limited to:

• The Powers That Be already know about fanworks, being prepared for lawsuits is only sensible, and in twenty years there will still be porn. Um. Okay by elynross and How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Polar Bears by cofax7
• That's not how copyright law works. Article III, section 2, tentacles, and you by harriet-spy
• The presence of weirdos makes separating identities understandable. Ah ok by ethrosdemon
• Being pro-women is not the same as being anti-men. Quick thought on "female space" of fandom by elekdragon and In which we talk about definitions and paths and all the stuff in between by amireal
• Training volunteers. The True Difference by queenzulu