From Fan History Wiki

[edit] Introduction

This section needs more information.

[edit] The Maintainers

housequake.com's Aaron A. Sikkink and Karyn Avera, princefams.com's Endre Adolfsen and Jonathan Nice and prince.org's Ben Margolin are the people behind this site and fan activism.

[edit] History

“	What is being established is a new and more direct relationship between artist and fans, apparently with the intent of cutting out the record-company middleman, but it is not without its own complications. Prince gave his latest album away with a Sunday newspaper, using it effectively as a marketing exercise for his fantastically well received 21-night live run at the O2 Arena . It was a move that reflects the profitability of the booming live sector and, in many ways, marks a welcome shift towards performance becoming (once again) the principle source of income for working musicians. It is the one musical transaction that still requires all parties to show up in person. But what Prince giveth with one hand, he taketh away with the other, launching lawsuits against internet sites (including dedicated fan sites) for unauthorised use of his image. Suing your own fans is not usually considered good for business, but Prince may get away with it on account of his legendary eccentricity. Prince’s unstated aim, in forcing YouTube (among others) to remove all footage of his performances, is not so much to control his image as to compel fans to come to him (and his own internet portals) for all Prince-related material.	„
— Review of the year: Pop ,

In November 2007, Prince started a crackdown on fansites, demanding that they remove any images of him, of his artwork, and even of tattoos and car customizations they'd gotten, then cited as inspired by him or his work. This caused a backlash by some of his fans who stepped in to protest what they saw as heavy-handed demands by Prince. These fans believe, based on the current interpretation of the law, they have a legal right to have such materials on their Prince fansites.

By November 4, a few of these Prince fansites had gotten together to create Prince Fans United [1]. On November 5, 2007, the organization had released a press release hoping that

Prince will reconsider his position and allow these fansites to continue their existence without constant threats from Prince and his attorneys. Should this not be possible, the fansites are fully prepared to defend their position in the proper court of law, as well as fully prosecute any claims to which they are justly entitled. [2]

By November 8, 2007, it was learned that PFUnk (another Prince fansite) had been legally threatened by Prince's lawyers. [3]

By November 17 Prince Fans United and the umbrella sites it represents were in talks with Prince's legal team regarding the future of their activities. [4]

On December 15, 2007, the situation involving Prince's relationship with his fans was mentioned in the British newspaper, the Telegraph. [5] [6]