'I'm a Lawyer, Not an Ethnographer, Jim': Textual Poachers and fair use. (1st April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tushnet, Rebecca
• Is Part Of: Journal of fandom studies. Volume 2:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2014-04-01
• Subjects: Fans (Persons) -- Periodicals; Subculture -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 306.1
• DOI: 10.1386/jfs.2.1.21_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-6692

Abstract

Henry Jenkins' Textual Poachers (1992) remains an important text for many reasons. I will focus on its importance as a text that, while not in any way lacking in complexity, clearly and accessibly brings forth the positive aspects of fandom cultures and creativity. This is vital for very practical reasons: there are many institutions and copyright owners who believe that fandom should be owned – by them, and not by fans. In this context, Jenkins' arguments form a key part of the case for continued, robust fair use doctrines that allow fans to make the things that they love to make.