A constitutional framework for collaborative storytelling where creators build on each other's work. Solves the derivative works problem through immutable governance, perpetual licensing, and protection for both original and derivative creators. Faith-based, open-source, forkable.
This body of work was done prior to application of Dr. Edward Deming's philosophies and can be improved according to the practice of those philosophies and methods.
A platform where creators can legally build on each other's work - protecting both original creators and derivative artists through immutable constitutional governance.
Fanfiction culture thrives on creativity but operates in legal gray areas. Derivative creators risk DMCA takedowns. Original creators lose control and compensation. Platforms exploit both parties' work for profit without protection.
Current options fail:
- Traditional publishing: No derivative works allowed
- Fanfiction sites: Legal uncertainty, no creator compensation, zero IP protection
- Kindle Worlds (defunct): Amazon owned everything, stripped creator rights, data-mined users
The derivative works problem remains unsolved.
Open Eppic creates a legal framework where:
✅ Original creators register story components (characters, settings, magic systems) as "Elements"
✅ Derivative creators receive perpetual licenses to use Elements in their Works
✅ Both parties retain ownership of their contributions
✅ Constitutional governance prevents platform from exploiting creators
✅ Transparent operations ensure accountability (GitHub-based public records)
✅ Forkable by design if the platform betrays its mission
- Register your Elements (characters, settings, systems, items, plots)
- Set usage guidelines (but can't prohibit derivatives entirely)
- Receive attribution for every Work using your Elements
- Retain 100% ownership - you only grant perpetual licenses, not ownership
- Browse the Element library
- Use registered Elements in your Works
- Publish with automatic attribution
- Own your creative contributions while respecting Element owners' IP
- Discover stories built on shared universes
- Explore canonical and non-canonical interpretations
- Support creators directly (future monetization features)
Nine Constitutional Commitments bind the platform permanently:
- Human Dignity - Every person has sacred worth
- Truth & Honesty - Radical transparency, no dark patterns
- Ownership & Stewardship - Creators own their work, platform stewards the mission
- Justice for the Vulnerable - Equal treatment for all creators
- Sabbath Rest - Technology serves human flourishing, not addiction
- Creative Freedom Within Bounds - Wide artistic latitude within moral guardrails
- Love & Community - Everything done with love, not exploitation
- Humility & Service - Platform exists to serve creators, not vice versa
- Freedom Within Boundaries - Minimal intervention, diverse viewpoints protected
These cannot be amended, removed, or reinterpreted. Enforced by:
- Golden Share held by Open Eppic Purpose Trust (veto power over constitutional violations)
- Call Option allowing Trust to purchase company for $0.01 if principles betrayed
- Constitutional Guardians (theological experts + community representatives) monitoring compliance
- Original creators retain 100% ownership
- Derivative creators receive irrevocable licenses for published Works
- Licenses are platform-specific (external publication requires separate permission)
- Element owners can remove Elements after 1-year commitment (with 90-day notice)
- Published Works keep their licenses forever, even if Element removed
All major decisions documented on GitHub:
- Financial reports (quarterly)
- Constitutional interpretations (transparency blog)
- Policy changes (version-controlled)
- Moderation precedents (anonymized)
If Open Eppic betrays its mission:
- Codebase is open-source (WeWeb + Xano)
- Constitutional Charter is Creative Commons licensed
- Community can recreate platform elsewhere
- "Constitutional fork provision" explicitly permits this
Open Eppic recognizes the God of the Bible as the source of objective morality. However:
- Principles are accessible to people of all beliefs
- Platform serves creators of diverse worldviews
- Moderation focuses on harm prevention, not ideological enforcement
- Constitutional Commitments protect against tyranny (majority or minority)
This repository contains the strategic framework for Open Eppic. The founder does not have the time/resources to build it alone.
What exists:
- ✅ Constitutional Charter (immutable governance principles)
- ✅ Legal framework (Operating Agreement, TOS, Privacy Policy, Content Guidelines)
- ✅ Database schema (Xano-based backend design)
- ✅ Strategic decision log (documented tradeoffs and edge cases)
- ✅ Creator guides (how platform works for users)
What's needed:
- Developer(s) - WeWeb + Xano + GitHub integration
- Legal review - Validate contracts with IP attorney
- Content moderators - Implement Hive.ai + human review workflows
- Community builders - Marketing, creator outreach, documentation
- Funding - Kickstarter or angel investment for initial infrastructure
If you resonate with this vision, email [YOUR EMAIL] or open an issue.
- Constitutional Charter - The nine immutable principles
- Operating Agreement - Company structure and governance
- Why This Matters - The case for Open Eppic
- Terms of Service
- Privacy Policy
- Content Guidelines
- Element Guidelines
- Legal Relationship Between Creators
Element: Original story component (character, setting, magic system, item, plot) registered on platform
Work: Complete creative output (novel, short story, series) incorporating Elements
Derivative Work: Work using others' registered Elements
Perpetual License: Irrevocable permission to use Element in a specific Work (platform-only unless Element owner grants external rights)
Constitutional Guardian: Theological + community representatives enforcing immutable principles
Canon vs. Non-Canon: Derivative creators have creative freedom within Content Guidelines; Element owners cannot enforce "canonical accuracy"
No. Fanfiction operates in legal gray areas using copyrighted IP without permission. Open Eppic provides legal frameworks for original IP sharing and derivative creation.
No. The Constitutional Commitments are rooted in Christian theology but are universally applicable moral principles. The platform serves creators of all worldviews.
No. Once published, your Work has a perpetual license. Element owners can remove Elements from the library (after 1-year commitment + 90-day notice), but existing Works remain published.
- AO3: Fanfiction archive, no IP protection, legal gray area
- Open Eppic: Original IP sharing platform, legal licenses, constitutional governance
- Wattpad: User-generated content platform, platform owns broad license rights, ad-supported
- Open Eppic: Creator-owned IP, minimal platform license (operations only), transparent governance
Kansas has strong LLC protections and favorable business laws. US-only jurisdiction initially simplifies legal compliance.
Not launching with monetization (MVP). Future models being explored:
- Reader subscriptions (revenue split: 70% creator, 20% Element owners, 10% platform)
- Tip jar / patronage system
- Premium features (analytics, promotion tools)
- Frontend: WeWeb (no-code web app builder)
- Backend: Xano (no-code database + API)
- Storage: Wasabi (S3-compatible, cheaper than AWS)
- Transparency Layer: GitHub (docs, financial reports, constitutional blog)
- Email: Mailgun or SendGrid (transactional emails)
- Payments: Stripe or PayPal (future monetization)
- Moderation: Hive.ai (AI content flagging) + human review
Budget: Under $500 initial / under $100/month recurring
See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
We need:
- Developers (WeWeb, Xano, GitHub Actions)
- IP attorneys (contract review)
- Content moderators (policy enforcement)
- Community builders (marketing, creator outreach)
- Theological advisors (Constitutional Guardian candidates)
How to help:
- Open an issue to discuss ideas
- Submit pull requests for documentation improvements
- Email [YOUR EMAIL] to discuss collaboration
Documentation: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Code (when developed): MIT License
Constitutional Charter: Cannot be modified (Article II.3 of Operating Agreement), but can be copied/forked if Open Eppic betrays its mission.
Email: [openeppic@gmail.com]
Open Eppic stands on the shoulders of those who came before:
- Fanfiction communities - Proved collaborative storytelling works at scale
- AO3/OTW - Demonstrated creator-owned nonprofit model
- Kindle Worlds - Showed the pitfalls of corporate ownership
- Creative Commons - Pioneered open licensing frameworks
- W. Edwards Deming - Taught constancy of purpose and systems thinking
- The God of the Bible - Source of objective morality and human dignity
"Enabling creators to build on each other's work in ways that honor both original creation and derivative transformation."