To understand the report, one must distinguish between the two ways "Mirror" and "Exclusive" are used in the fanfiction community:
As AO3 Mirror continues to evolve, it's exciting to think about what the future holds for this hidden gem of fanfiction. With its dedicated community and innovative features, AO3 Mirror Exclusive is poised to remain a vital part of the fanfiction landscape. ao3 mirror exclusive
When AO3 experiences a surge in traffic, is undergoing maintenance, or is targeted by geographic or government blocks in certain regions, the OTW relies on alternative domains. These are not "separate" websites, but rather alternative front doors to the exact same database. Official domains include: archiveofourown.org archiveofourown.net archiveofourown.site ao3.gay ao3.org To understand the report, one must distinguish between
Because authors hold the copyright to their original prose, unauthorized mirrors are technically infringing on the fan vids' or writers' intellectual property. Authors can—and do—issue Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notices to mirror site hosts to force the removal of their exclusive content. AO3’s Defense Systems These are not "separate" websites, but rather alternative
Below is an overview of why authors "mirror" their work exclusively to AO3 and how the platform's unique features support this practice. 1. The Purpose of Mirroring to AO3
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
However, the OTW is not idle. With the introduction of AO3’s "Anti-Scraping" measures and potential future features like "Creator-Directed Visibility" (e.g., works only visible to logged-in users), the need for dangerous third-party exclusives may evaporate.