Ghostbusters International®: A hard-working fan based organization, dedicated to the continuance of supporting the Ghostbusters film franchise, as well as to serve as a creative outlet for individuals involved in prop production and collection, as well as fan fiction creation and publication.

As an organization, Ghostbusters International® is run in the manner of a “real-world” corporation; it is overseen by a central organizational body, (Ghostbusters International® Corporate Headquarters) with franchises extant within many geographical locations throughout the US, Canada, and abroad. Like GBI Headquarters, individual Ghostbusters International® franchises have the properties of real-world business franchises; they have organizational structure, and are responsible for the construction of fan fiction and/or prop equipment upon which the “reality” of Ghostbusters International® is based.

Within franchises, individual members and teams are responsible for the construction (literal or fictional) of equipment, uniforms, etc. Franchises are also encouraged (but not required) to create and maintain “Case Oriented Files,” which are essentially fictional stories of jobs in which the franchise is involved.

All Ghostbusters International® franchises are required to create and maintain official franchise web pages, which are to include content relevant to the operations and involvement of the franchise. Photographs, artwork, case oriented files, etc. are heavily encouraged.

Ghostbusters International® is also heavily-involved in real-world activities ranging from fund-raising efforts to convention attendance; these activities involve those franchises that create and maintain uniforms, props, etc. extant within the Ghostbusters films. Fundraiser and convention attendance may be limited to individual GBI franchises, but may also take place as large-scale inter-franchise gatherings.

More On Our Vision, The GBI Concept, This Website

The very foundation of Ghostbusters International® is that it's a real corporation. With the idea coming from drafts and the final script of Ghostbusters where in the world of the films, their were franchises of the original business. We remain in character, attached to our assigned franchises, and participate regularly (or whenever possible) in conventions, events, gatherings, and other types of fun. It's what attracts many to this site: our dedication to another side of this fandom. To ensure that all who visit this site know that we're actors, and to repeatedly break character and role, is to compromise the very integrity of our roles and the basis for our participation in this whole shibang. Something like that, we just don't like to disrupt our continued fun. Unless its planned that way.

Further, for the vast majority of visitors to Ghostbusters International®, we are obviously a company which "slightly departs" from reality. People come here from other Ghostbusters and prop related sites. Plus to our knowledge, the far reaches of sci fi fandom and all the world. (Approx. 51 countries) They know how this whole deal operates; they know what we do. And trust me, their confusion over whether or not this is real is not an issue. Should their be questions, we do our best to answer them.

Don't get me wrong; we don't mean to sound condescending or rude; we understand where some people are coming from. However, we're convinced that confusion over reality vs fandom isn't much of an issue. Ghostbusters International® is a great thing, it's an idea also built upon mutual love, respect, and interest in the franchise of the Ghostbusters films and its props. Inlaid directly into those films was the opportunity for those who take genuine interest in the film to add the little "GB spice of fun" into their lives; this opportunity has grown into the outfit you currently see, Ghostbusters International®, a group whose members include individuals and franchises from across the country and, indeed, the world. We are a unique club, a group who has founded another side of this fanbase, (something the higher ups are proud of) participating in super-fun gatherings, including cons, events, franchise gatherings, and more.

Of course, as stated (both overtly and indirectly) in the tenets and concepts of Ghostbusters International®, the very structure of the "company" rests upon the idea of roleplaying, on the idea that all of us here are merely playing the part of a fictional Ghostbusters character. Fictional in what we do, not who we are. ;) While the gatherings, websites, props, and suits may be real, (The proton pack is much more then a toy and the slime stain defender isn't real, maybe someday) the business itself is not. The concept of "ghost busting" is in itself, fictional. It's based on a series of supernatural comedies, nothing more, nothing less. To some of our franchise ghostheads, (whether they're in a franchise or aren't yet) the distinction between what's "reality" and what isn't can't be crossed. A "franchise" can come into a "fantasy" context and claim that their "business" is, in fact, real. The inherent problem with that is as follows:

A. The science of parapsychology is quite complex, mixing tenets of hard sciences with those of the occult, astrology, etc. The general consensus within Ghostbusters International® is that a franchise shouldn't be wearing Ghostbusters costumes or props from the Ghostbusters films; if they're investigating something which could be conceived as paranormal by Parapsychologists and/or ghost hunters. If these "ghostbusters" are wearing Ghostbusters costumes and props at that time they may be risking their credibility to those professionals. As well as risking being fined by Sony Pictures, especially if they're charging for services rendered. See section B for more.

B. The "Ghostbusters" name and logo are registered trademarks of Sony Pictures. No one may use these in the construction and use of a business venture; to do so is to open said group to a myriad of legal problems and lawsuits. It is a violation to make money off THE trademarks from the Ghostbusters film franchise. In essence, if you're claiming to actually operate a ghostbusting business, you must remove the Ghostbusters name and logo from your outfit or face the legal ramifications. Besides being illegal, if we find out a franchise is charging for any service involving Ghostbusters International® we will disassociate ourselves from said franchise.

C. The most important issue and thing to remember is this: Ghostbusters International® is a roleplaying club. The reality that has been created for us by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis here is based upon this concept. No further disclaimers about not being in business is necessary. Under the Fair Use laws aka "The Copyright Act of 1976" we're able to have the site as Ghostbusters International® doesn't profit off the licensed trademarks.

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