Like its revised User Agreement, AdultFanFiction.net's spirit is simple. This Preface is but one piece of that puzzle, but it is my hope that it will leave you inspired as well as informed. The reading of this Preface is completely optional.

Although the phrases "Terms of Service" and "User Agreement" are widely understood to be the same, it cannot escape me that the first is much harsher. Its verbiage implies that The Powers That Be are dictating the behaviors of a somehow lesser group of people. Farther, it indicates distance -- as if you and I sit at opposite ends of the spectrum.

But the spectrum, the rainbow, is actually one beam of white light. It was only made into another thing by conditions of one's personal perception. The red touches the orange, which touches the yellow, which with the red, birthed the orange; as one cannot exist without the others, nor can the very beam exist without the intricate and fruitful interactions of all of its parts. I believe that the ray of light that lives inside Fan Fiction lovers all over the world shines from the same source, and as such, we are not able to sit at opposite ends.

We are it.

Separable as we are by genre or other denomination, we're far more similar than otherwise. Together, too, we are a formidable force that will change the world. Progressive views -- especially when met with the vehemence, tenacity, and numbers we also possess -- have seldom done otherwise.

I see the term "User Agreement" as being more harmonious with this Community's nature; we are in this together. Without any ingredient, Authors, Readers, Moderators, Administrators, or Webmasters, our Community wouldn't exist.

So let us enjoy that right to Freedom of Expression -- which is not limited to citizens of the United States of America, but is a natural birthright of all the creatures of the Universe -- in mutual respect.

We propose a relationship with one another, and a relationship must have boundaries. This website holds itself just as responsible -- if not more so -- for upholding this Agreement as it holds you.

If we can truthfully state the words below, we are welcome to use AdultFanFiction.net. If we are using AdultFanFiction.net, it is presumed that we have read its Agreement, understood it, and agree to it. If we do not agree, we must follow our bliss elsewhere.


As a Member of the AdultFanFiction.net Community...
I know that while Freedom of Expression is a right, the use of AdultFanFiction.net is a privilege. It is a free service that a hundred different people have worked both hard and smart to preserve for me. It is a gift, and a challenging thing to manage. I will always conduct myself with this in mind.

By using AdultFanFiction.net, I am demonstrating my beliefs that the material it exhibits is not obscene, fundamentally offensive, or in violation of any other person's rights.

I will make a reasonable effort to police myself while visiting this site. I will be generally innocuous to the welfare of AdultFanFiction.net and its Community.

I will never intentionally cause mental, emotional, or physical harm to any other user of AdultFanFiction.net, because this is a haven set aside for entertainment and artistic expression, and its Archivists wish it to be enjoyable for all.

I know that AdultFanFiction.net is intended to be used only for entertainment, enrichment, reading, writing, fellowship, and Freedom of Expression.

I am at least 18 years of age, and legally permitted to view Adult Material in the Country and Region of my residence.


What I will do to further my Cause...
I will not copy, download, redistribute, or post anything found on AdultFanFiction.net without express permission from its original Author or Creator.
I will not copy, download, redistribute, or post any externally obtained material to AdultFanFiction.net without express permission from its original Author or Creator.

I would never post anyone else's work as my own; a plagiarist -- a true thief of intellectual property -- is precisely what I, as a Fan Fiction supporter, am not, and do not condone.

At the beginning of my Fan Fictions, I will respectfully credit all Original Creators, and plainly cite all Disclaimers necessary. In this way, I will pay homage to my Fandom's Original Creator, and illustrate my Community's belief that Fan Fiction is "fair use".

At the beginning of my Real-Person Fan Fictions, I will make it clear that I do not personally know the characters of my Story, and attest to the fact that everything I have written is purely fictional. I realize that Real Persons are, in fact, real people, and will consider their feelings in my works.

At the beginning of my Original Fictions, I will be sure to indicate which elements of my Story, if any, were borrowed from another Author or Creator, just as I would credit any Original Creator of my Fan Fiction.  I will cite the Original Authors or Creators in the same way.

I will never publish a story on AdultFanFiction.net that involves real persons under the age of 18, living or dead, in adult situations, because this is widely considered child pornography. I know that any such material will be deleted as quickly as it is found. If I come across it myself, I know that I should report the situation to AdultFanFiction.net's Staff.


As a Friend of AdultFanFiction.net...
I will not knowingly encourage or allow Archive or Forums participation by persons who cannot truthfully state the whole of this Agreement. This includes, but is not limited to, anyone who has already been denied the use of AdultFanFiction.net.

I will post my Requests, Challenges, and other interactive activities on the AdultFanFiction.net Forums, because I understand that the Archive is as a library, and must be reserved for Stories and basic Reviews.

 

I understand that if I intentionally submit an invalid email address, or any other inaccurate personal information, to the Archive or the Forum, that my account may be deleted. Practices such as these decrease the quality of everyone's AdultFanFiction.net experience by inhibiting the effectiveness of its Staff.

I will not publish more than one copy of any Story on this site, or purposely "bump" others' works down the page. In fact, I won't do anything to inhibit another Author's progress at all, because I know that they deserve as much freedom in sharing their ideas as I do.

I will not falsely accuse another AdultFanFiction.net user of behaving in conflict with this Agreement, because, not only do I appreciate other users' contributions to my Community, but I also respect the peace of AdultFanFiction.net's Archivists.

I will not hold AdultFanFiction.net responsible for any loss of data stored upon their site, regardless of the cause, because the preservation of my work is my own responsibility. It is unwise that I keep no personal copies of my works.

I will not hold AdultFanFiction.net responsible for any legal action brought upon by my own activities on its Archive or Forums.

I will not hold AdultFanFiction.net responsible for any minor's presence on its site.  I believe that AdultFanFiction.net exercises acceptable due diligence in preventing and correcting such improper usage.  To do my part, I will employ all appropriate practices and programs necessary, to the extent of my own satisfaction, in managing any minors of my concern.

I understand that most administrative decisions are difficult to make, and that they are final. They that manage this website cannot spend an excessive amount of time or energy debating smaller issues if they are to complete their primary duties.

For the reasons above, I further expect most administrative action to be taken without warning, discussion, or notification.

I am prepared to have my privileges to this site revoked if I use it in any fashion which is not in accordance with Federal Law, Regional Law, Local Law, or site policy. The good of the many outweighs the good of one, and for good reason.

I understand that, should I no longer wish to be involved with AdultFanFiction.net, it is my responsibility to distance myself from the site to the extent of my own satisfaction.

The above is a basic indication of the attitudes this establishment cannot do without if it is to function optimally. Be mindful that everything on this page is subject to change at any time. It must, to ensure the well being of AdultFanFiction.net and its Community, for the tree that does not bend will break.

We're happy you're one of us, no matter where you choose to express yourself. Thank you for your time.