Fanwork

Fanwork refers to creative works produced by fans that use characters, settings, or other elements from an existing work such as a novel, film, television series, game, or franchise. Fanworks are typically created by fans for non-commercial purposes and distributed within fan communities. Because they derive from someone else’s intellectual property, they are derivative works and may be subject to copyright law, licensing terms, and platform policies.

Common forms include fan fiction (original stories using established characters), fan art (drawings, paintings, digital art), fan videos and remixes (audio-visual edits like fan music videos), fan films, comics or webcomics, games or mods, fan music, and cosplay or performance. The scope can also extend to fan podcasts, wikis, and doujin publications. Communities often organize around tagging, disclaimers, and crediting the original creators and contributors.

Historically, fanwork has roots in fan magazines and letter-writing circles, expanding with online forums and social media. Modern ecosystems include archives, fan-run websites, and platform communities that host and curate works. Conventions and online events provide venues for sharing and critique, while practices such as crossovers and shipping reflect fan engagement with the source material.

Legal and practical considerations vary by jurisdiction and platform. Fanworks are frequently tolerated as non-commercial and transformative, but rights holders may restrict or revoke their use. Some creators release works under permissive licenses, or platforms adopt policies that balance user creativity with copyright enforcement. Respect for original intent, consent, and community guidelines is commonly emphasized.