"Buffy" Cyber Fans Slayed by Fox

The producers of the WB's hit evil-fighting drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer have driven a stake into the hearts of Netizens everywhere.

20th Century Fox Television has issued a stern warning to the creators of several well-trafficked fan Websites, ordering them to remove certain copyrighted material or face a lawsuit.

In several e-mails and certified letters delivered Tuesday, Fox lawyers said they "appreciate" the fan support, but "request that the sites using Fox's copyrighted and trademarked materials comply with guidelines that protect the creative integrity of the series."

That means some beloved video and audio files, screenshots, episode spoilers and transcripts, actor news and screen footage will be going the way of a vanquished vampire and disappearing.

"Fans go to these sites and get pumped up to watch the next Buffy," Angela DiPrima, creator of www.btvs.slayme.com, tells USA Today. "What Fox is doing is harsh. And it takes away from, I think, fans' support of the show."

Even some network execs think the move is a bit severe. "Embracing the fans is so much more important than trying to quash them," Imagine Entertainment CEO Tony Krantz, producer of the WB's Felicity, tells USA Today. "An individual publishing photographs from Felicity is insignificant. It's not going to change our bottom line one penny."

Others see Fox's point of view. "I realize that these sites are just fans doing something for other fans. It's not for profit or to hurt the show or Fox. But screengrabs, ect. are still copyright to Fox, and you should ask permission before using them," advises one cyber surfer on the alt.tv.buffy newsgroup. "Otherwise you run the risk of getting shut down."

"I think a simple disclaimer at the bottom of every relevant page saying 'All pictures on this page remain the property of Fox' or something similar would do," suggests another.

Some Buffy fanatics aren't taking the news lightly, however, and think Fox's legal action is downright demonic. To protest the legal credo, fans are planning to shut down their sites on May 13, 2000 in hopes of emphasizing the importance of the free publicity the sites generate for Fox.

"Turn those sites off. That will show those evil bastards," crows another newsgroup participant.