Etiquette

[oldestcharm]

I apologise if this is not the place to ask, but I haven't really found anywhere else. So. What exactly is the etiquette on podficcing orphaned works? In bad taste or a free game? I wouldn't want to step on any toes, but I keep making heart eyes on this one lovely work and I figured the community would have some opinions.

Comments

[glitteryv]

It's totally okay to podfic orphared works. You wouldn't be stepping on any toes at all. When you record it, you'd say "[title of the fic] by Orphan Work".

So go ahead and record that fic. :D

[intransitive]

Yup, totally fair game! Just say it is an orphaned work instead of the author name (even if you know the author from before it was orphaned). Have fun!

[paraka]

It's totally fine. If someone orphans their works it's kind of like saying "it's not mine anymore, I leave it to the community." And it might be a stretch to say that's a *blessing* to do whatever with it, but it is the author saying "I've removed myself from the process." Which most of us feel makes it fair game.

[oldestcharm]

Yeah, the "not quite a blessing" bit is rather the reason I asked. It does seem like toeing the line, though, doesn't it? Because at the end of the day the internet doesn't forget and the author may find themselves with unwanted recognition nevertheless.

[anneapocalypse]

Orphaning a work is pretty much relinquishing authorship and ownership of it, and in that case there's functionally no author to ask for permission. I would say it's fair game.

[oldestcharm]

I can never really wrap my head around orphaning works, so it's a tough subject for me. I'm far too possessive of my pwn creations to let them remain forever anonymous, so there's always this nagging thought at the back of my head that maybe, just maybe, the original author regrets orphaning the work and I would loathe to upset them. Although from the answers from this thread I figure it's simply a matter or personal choice.

[anatsuno]

Not only is it a matter of personal choice, but also of personal responsibility. Orphaning is abdicating responsibility. If someone regrets doing it, it's sad, but they don't own the work anymore, and "stuff" happening to the work (like a podfic being made) that displeases them is a possibility they have accepted when choosing to orphan the work - they have to live with the consequences of their choice, like we all do. :)

[anneapocalypse]

Yeah, I have a hard time imagining orphaning a work myself too. Nevertheless, if someone makes that choice, they've relinquished ownership, and the work is now officially un-owned.

[alessnox]

All free and fair.