Coincidentally, two famous fanfiction writers in one particular popular Fandom have made the decision to pull their work from the internet and publish it for retail sale. The move has ignited debate about whether or not this crosses the already wavy line between admiration and tribute and infringement and indecency.

I have written fanfiction, and I have read fanfiction. I have absolutely nothing against it, and I think SOPA should DIAF. I’m not here to add to the already murky debate about what constitutes ‘copying’ and when a fanfiction begins to emerge as a more original, individual piece of work.

I’m just interested in whether turning around and pulling your work from its freely available cyber shelves to publish it for retail financial gain does constitute crossing the metaphorical white line. There is something unsavory about suddenly expecting your loyal readership to fork over money for what once was given freely. In the case of the two individuals I speak of, they were highly popular and highly regarded fanfiction authors, who’s works where the most popular of their fandom. They were BNFs (Big Name Fans) in the very essence of the word – they wielded a great amount of influence within the sphere of their fandom.

This of course means a ready-made, built in audience that has already been exposed to the work, thus insuring a kind of ‘test subject’ environment that ordinary works just don’t have. Authors of original works who go the traditional route to publication throw caution to the wind and release their work into an unknowing audience. Sure, their friends and family may have seen it, but it isn’t anything like the kind of culturally, financially and socially diverse test audience that a fanfiction author has, particularly in a popular fandom. These authors have a loyal readership who will close ranks around the author at the slightest mention of any wrongdoing, and say that they would be willing to “pay anything” to read the works again, regardless of the fact that they have already had access to it for free, for years in some cases.

Both of these works in mind were AUs (Alternate Universe fics) which means that while the characters were based on the canon characters, the situations and environments were far removed and original. In both cases, name changes where really all that was needed to make the works ‘original’. But how original are they? The essence of the fanfiction is still there. In one particular case, a google image search for the main character in the fanfiction will bring up fan images of the young actor who plays the title role in the canon film.

The separation is not as clear cut as people would have you believe. It is always going to be known as “that book that was based on that other book”, and that’s how the word of mouth will carry it.

So what do you think? Is it wrong for people to profit financially on these kind of works? Or if the work is changed just so, does that constitute it becoming an original work?

Today’s Shirt of the Day is the direwolf banner of House Stark from the George R.R. Martin epic Game of Thrones. It is brought to you by the lovely geeks at ThinkGeek.com.

I’ve only just finished the first book, and I’ve only seen one episode of the series. Please don’t tell me what happens, especially if Jon Snow, Arya or Tyrion Lannister die over the course of the series because I will be SO PISSED.

I actually went hunting for a Tyrion Lannister shirt, but no such luck

(Dinklage, all the awards for you my friend)

Details: ’Winter Is Coming’ Game of Thrones tee

Via: ThinkGeek

Price: $19.99 US

Sizing: Unisex Small-XXL

Colours: Pictured colour only (‘natural’)

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

Anyone who was a fan of 1993′s Jurassic Park will appreciate this awesome shirt from Snorg Tees. If you haven’t seen it yet go out and watch it because a) dinosaurs b) Jeff Goldblum c) velociraptors before they had feathers.

Details: ’Clever Girl’ Jurassic Park tee

Via: SnorgTees

Price: $19.95 US

Sizing: Guys (Small-3XL), Girls (Small-XL), Kids (2-12)

Colours: Pictured colour only (Navy)

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

This shirt also comes as a Hoodie, for $39.95

Watch this video on YouTube.

Junk Food Clothing is pleased to announce Junk Food Art House Presents Anthony Lister, celebrating the launch of its innovative new platform Junk Food Art House – highlighting creative initiatives spanning art, film and fashion. There will only be 50 tees sold to the public, so get them while you can.

The design is an awesomely abstract Batgirl.

The price may be a bit steep in comparison to other shirts I’ve featured on here, but it is an artist-exclusive limited edition, and Junk Food Clothing always make amazing tees. Again there are only 50 of these available to the public so get them while you can!

Details: ’Lister’ Batgirl Women’s tee

Via: Junk Food Clothing

Price: $50.00 US

Sizing: Women’s (small-XL)

Colours: Pictured colour only

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

Details: ’In My Day’ Astronomy tee

Via: Snorg Tees

Price: $19.95 US

Sizing: Guys (Small-3XL), Girls (Small-XL)

Colours: Pictured colour only (Black)

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

In a celebration of all things space-centric, I leave with you with everyone’s favourite meme-generating astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Because he’s awesome, and a badass.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Today’s Shirt of the Day is another from The Princess Bride, one of my all time favourite movies, and is brought to you by Think Geek (and the letters F.T.W.)

If you haven’t seen this movie (“Inconceivable!”) you are really missing out and you need to put it on your priority list for 2012.

Details: ’Miracle Max’s Pharmacy’ The Princess Bride tee

Via: Think Geek

Price: $16.99-$18.99 USD  (depending on size)

Sizing: Small – XXXL

Colours: Pictured colour only (Sand)

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

Watch this video on YouTube.

I love this shirt, but poor Winston was always getting the fuzzy end of the pineapple wasn’t he?

And for that authentic paranormal feel, it glows in the dark!

Details: ’Venkman – Stantz – Spengler: Paranormal Studies’ Ghostbusters tee

Via: Last Exit to Nowhere

Price: £18.00 (British Pounds)

Sizing: Regular Fit, Small-XXXLarge

Colours: Pictured colour only

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

I leave you with the ever flawless Bill Murray. Sometimes I wish I were a scientist just so I could use this line and not have someone laugh in my face in sheer disbelief.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Today’s Shirt of the Day has nothing whatsoever to do with New Years, but it’s still cool. It’s via Gamerprint UK, and features everyone’s favourite stout little plumber.

I must admit to having a chuckle over the phone number.

Details: ’Mario’s Plumbing Services’ Mario Brothers tee

Via: Gamerprint UK

Price: £18.00 (British Pounds)

Sizing: Mens (small-XXL), Ladies (small-large)

Colours: Pictured colour only

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

Whoever would have thought it would work, but somehow it does!

They all look so cute, especially Cookie Monster, who was always my favourite (you reclaim that cookie fetish! Don’t let anyone tell you cookies are just a sometimes food!)

Details: ’Steampunk Sesame’ Sesame Street vintage tee

Via: T-Shirts.com

Price: $19.99 (US Dollars)

Sizing: Small-XL

Colours: Pictured only

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

This shirt is via RedBubble which is a custom shirt provider in much the same vain as Zazzle or CafePress.

Details: ’The Room Quotes’ The Room tee

Via: RedBubble

Price: $29.19 (Australian Dollars)

Sizing: Small – 3XL

Colours: Dark Grey, Blue, Gold, Orange, Red (pictured), Dark Red, Purple, Green, Dark Green, Army, Brown

Site Link To Purchase: Click here

And if you haven’t seen the cinematic genius that is Tommy Wiseau’s opus, you definitely should.

Watch this video on YouTube.