Please note, that we later got permission from Grolier to make this a PBeM Weyr, this was just the generic approval letter, but for people who want proof that we're legal, here's Anne's reply from my asking for permiss.
Off-line weyrs or fan clubs are perfectly permissible provided that you and your members follow the tenets of Pern Š. For example, the dragon colors must be only those that are found on Pern; there can be no other sport like Ruth; do not use any of my major characters, although referring to them is fine; neither Ruatha nor Benden may be used as principle sites. Any printed Fanzines you may produce should show my copyright notice in a prominent place, say, at the top of the first page. The 'zines cannot be published on the Internet on publically accessable sites. Distributing a limited number of copies of the 'zine to a special group via regular -snail- mail is the norm. That way, a group does not infringe PUBLICLY on my copyright since the material goes to A LIMITED membership that can be controlled.
I know that copyright infringement is difficult to understand but I have worked out ways whereby the dedicated Pern fan can enjoy fiddling with my work without breaking any laws. (I do not read them, by the way, as my publishers prefer that I don't inadvertently have an idea that someone else thought of first.) You and your members may write in any time line but please don?t put your work online.
The copyright notice should read EXACTLY as follows: The World of PernŠ is copyrighted to Anne McCaffrey 1967. "The Dragonriders of PernŽ" is a registered trademark.
The following is an addendum, which need not be put up as part of the copyright notice; it?s purely f"or your information." Note: Ruatha Hold TM and Benden Weyr TM and all other site locations of The World of Pern Š have now assumed trademark status.
Enjoy your writing but, again, please don't put it online.
Ciao now,
Anne