Buffy Fan Sites Threatened

Fox Television has actually shut down numerous fan sites with legal threats over the past few years, including sites for the Simpsons and X-Files. Fox claims that fan sites which use short video clips and transcripts are guilty of copyright infringement.

(Note: Fox TV produces and owns the rights to Buffy. The WB Network, which broadcasts Buffy in the United States, does not own copyright. WB, broadcasters of Buffy, have actually built an online fan community, Acme City, offering resources and Buffy images to fans.)

The Buffy Bringers are fighting back. Led by solo84, Buffy fans have organized a campaign against Fox. They claim that their sites have been free publicity for Buffy for years and continue to contribute to Buffy's popularity.

An article in TV Barn suggested Fox is trying to shut down fan sites to keep fans at the official Buffy fan site. Buffy Bringers defend their use of short video, audio and transcripts as similar to the excerpts used by TV shows and magazines.

Some fans are going even farther. The Fan Blackout, a group of fan sites, is planning to shut down participating fan sites for one day. They want to show Fox how boring the Internet would be without fan sites.