Bowker announced today that it is partnering with Digi-Rights® (warning - sound on the site is automatically enabled). From the press release:
Digi-Rights® Direct [is] a patented suite of automated rights solutions and services for authors and publishers. This cloud-based service is designed to enable users to optimize their rights so that revenues are maximized and risks from copyright liability issues are minimized. The link to Digi-Rights® Direct is part of Bowker’s larger program to identify high-quality providers of key services for authors and small publishers, connecting them through MyIdentifiers.com....
Amazon announced this morning that they have licensed fanfic rights from the Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and Vampire Diaries franchises.
From the press release:
Through these licenses, Kindle Worlds will allow any writer to publish authorized stories inspired by these popular Worlds and make them available for readers to purchase in the Kindle Store.