You could call this post that since I’m going to talk a bit about the fuss in regards to fan art about the site. I’m not looking to create any fights or stir any controversy. I just wanted to mention something that I think people aren’t realizing. You see whenever something gets removed our first reaction is often to be frustrated, angry or offended.

We might think that it’s a double standard because technically everything being used is plagiarized to some extent. It’s a very fine line in regards to being plagiarized, but I honestly think members are missing just who theOtaku is really protecting with the no unpublished artwork policy. I think some people realize it but they just aren’t putting the full connection together. Let me try to explain.

When it comes to published works the authors and companies have very well established copyrights and laws in place to firmly protect them from others profiting commercially off of their products. I suspect that though they aren’t terribly fond of wallpapers or say e-cards, they tend to let it slide since it does at least promote the author and product. I imagine if the site actually made money off it, then they’d insist that we take it all down.

Now let’s move to all of the unpublished artists. And I do mean our wallpaper and e-card artists in addition to our fan art artists here at theOtaku. A lot of people, whether it’s in graphics or drawing style, work very hard to improve their skills. However unlike published artists they have far less in terms of protection over any work they do. Disputes can easily turn into a he said she said argument if someone else tries to claim credit for their work.

So the bottom line is the policy isn’t just to protect artists on sites like DA or Pixiv. It’s also to protect the artists who consider this site their home. From the ones just having fun, to the ones expanding their graphic design skills by making cards and wallpapers, to those who are genuinely serious about becoming published artists at some point.

In closing I guess you could say I’m asking… why hate or be angry over a policy that, at heart, is actually there to protect you as a member.