What is, The Fan Rated Rating System?

It is a system by which webmasters/webmistresses can rate the stories in their archive, without risk of breaking any laws by using the default ones as used by Movies and TV Shows, which are legally owned and copyrighted to the MPA (Motion Picture Assosciation).

The new rating system was set up so that we all (as fans) can rate our stories, but without fear of legal troubles caused by the MPA and their Cease and Desist notices that are suddenly appearing all over the WWW.

This rating is OURS, which means anyone who writes Fan Fiction, or hosts Fan Fiction archives, can use it.

What are the new ratings?

FRC — Fan Rated Suitable For Children
FRT — Fan Rated Suitable For Teenagers
FRM — Fan Rated Suitable For Mature Persons
FRAO — Fan Rated Suitable For Adults Only

As always, though, you will need to apply the specific content warnings to your stories. As a guide, we have offered the following:

P — Profanity
SC — Sexual Content
V — Violence
GV — Graphic Violence

More, of course, can be added as you see fit.


Last, but certainly not least, is a generic Legal Disclaimer you should importantly add to your Fan Fictions, or your Fan Fiction Archives.

Without Prejudice. The names of all characters contained here-in are the property of Name_Of_Copyright_Holder. No Infringments of these copyrights are intended, and are used here without permission.

If you have original characters in your Fan Fiction, make sure you add that into your Disclaimer.

Note: The presence of Original Characters (in your Fan Fiction) will dampen any law suit made against you for your use of the show/book/movie characters in your Fan Fiction.