Canon and Cultural Negotiation.

This article examines the concept of "canon"—the set of officially recognized truths about fictional characters, stories, or worlds—as a dynamic cultural good shaped by evolving power relations between authors (producers) and audiences (consumers). It traces the historical shift from the Romantic ideal of isolated, authorial control over fictional worlds to contemporary fan-driven negotiations, highlighting how copyright law bolsters authorial rights but does not fully determine what fans accept as canon. The rise of fanfiction and fan petitioning illustrates audiences' active role in reshaping canon, while case studies of creators like Neil Gaiman and J.K. Rowling demonstrate how authorial power depends on maintaining goodwill with fans. Ultimately, canon is portrayed as a site of ongoing cultural negotiation influenced by legal, economic, creative, and social factors, where authority is contingent on reciprocal relationships rather than absolute control.