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Home // News/Updates: Article Detail
News/Updates: Article Detail
FEBRUARY 2, 2006
About those Artist Alley rumors
By: Jim Vowles, Convention Chairman, Otakon 2006
Otakon is NOT implementing, nor has it ever seriously considered, a total ban on
fan art. Our initial posting on the subject clearly confused some people, and for
that we apologize. However, despite repeated and widespread attempts to clarify
the direction our policy revisions are expected to take, the rumor we are banning
fan art is still being spread.
For the record: Otakon is not banning fan art.
We are, however, tightening the rules.
Specific (and hopefully much clearer) guidance about what is allowed to be sold in
Otakon's Artist Alley, and what is clearly not allowed, will be posted as soon as
our legal experts are finished reviewing the policy. The vast majority of
participants (attendees and artists alike) should have very little to complain
about. The changes will allow us to address problems created by those who insist
on pushing the limits of fair use, or who are blatantly exploiting copyrighted
materials for profit. This not only benefits creators and owners of original work
and properly licensed materials, it helps protect Otakon's ability to continue to
encourage healthy fandom.
Until then, we respectfully request that responsible media and opinion-shapers
assist us in putting the rumors to rest, and hold further questions on this matter
until after the actual, final policy has been announced.
fan art. Our initial posting on the subject clearly confused some people, and for
that we apologize. However, despite repeated and widespread attempts to clarify
the direction our policy revisions are expected to take, the rumor we are banning
fan art is still being spread.
For the record: Otakon is not banning fan art.
We are, however, tightening the rules.
Specific (and hopefully much clearer) guidance about what is allowed to be sold in
Otakon's Artist Alley, and what is clearly not allowed, will be posted as soon as
our legal experts are finished reviewing the policy. The vast majority of
participants (attendees and artists alike) should have very little to complain
about. The changes will allow us to address problems created by those who insist
on pushing the limits of fair use, or who are blatantly exploiting copyrighted
materials for profit. This not only benefits creators and owners of original work
and properly licensed materials, it helps protect Otakon's ability to continue to
encourage healthy fandom.
Until then, we respectfully request that responsible media and opinion-shapers
assist us in putting the rumors to rest, and hold further questions on this matter
until after the actual, final policy has been announced.
