Should readers get permission to make podfic?

[jesse_the_k]

While I just argued that the act of podficcing adds "fannish value" to a work, I'm unsure that readers must obtain an OK from the writer to make a recording.

Since I'm a newbie, I did some research. While I don't think it's possible for a podfic to fundamentally change a source in the same way, I started with remixes, since there's the same "permission" issue there. It seems most remix challenges are based on a mutual remix: by participating in writing, each fan also permits their work to be remixed (with one "safe" work held inviolate).

The Fanlore Wiki told me:

 begin quote 
Though remixing in both fanfiction and vidding has become enormously popular, not all fans embrace the concept. [... snip ...] Though some fans feel any story is fair game for remixing, others believe that permission should be gained from the author first before using their work as a jumping-off point. Many fans feel it's hypocritical to reuse the original creations of the copyright holders in the canon while protesting that anyone should be allowed to remake their fanworks.
 quote ends 

Current metadata don't state whether the podfic's reader has the writer's permission. Would the absence, permission or refusal of writer's OK change how you'd choose or read podfics?

Comments

[anatsuno]

As a podficcer I tend to demand writer's permission before recording, OR (mostly) to stick to writers who have given clear blanket permission. The REASON I am doing this is not to be rude, and not to risk the wrath of people with opinions different from mine, which is that...

...I don't think podficcing should requires permission (but I DO think it is only polite to ask for it, and I DO think it would be really rude not to TELL an author that you've podficced their fic - it's the difference between what would want to see inscribed in law if there were laws about this, and the customs I like to respect in my community, you know?).

So to answer your question directly: as a listener, whether the recorder asked the author's permission or not is irrelevant to me, and would not change my relationship to the podfic. At least I don't think so!