Define Cynical Fan Forums

Okay, when an artist has "Please do not copy" on their work does that mean "Don't copy this onto your computer, just look at it once and be happy." or "Don't copy my design, use your own ideas!"

I would say that Is mean to not copy it in is original full form. I think the design is meant to include but Sometimes a design is hard not to copy in part.But I would deffinatly say do not copy to your coputer.

<!--QuoteBegin-dragonranpu+Dec 18 2004, 02:55 AM--> <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' ><tr><td class='quotetop'><b>Quote:</b> (dragonranpu @ Dec 18 2004, 02:55 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quotebody'> But I would deffinatly say do not copy to your coputer.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table> <!--QuoteEEnd-->Uhhh. Enforcing that would be so ridiculously impossible I don't know where to begin. Heck, when you view it it gets stored for a while. My understanding has been "Don't snag this and try to make a profit from it in any way."

If they let you look at it by hosting it somewhere, then they may as well let you have it because you can go and see it anytime you like anyway.<br><br>Personally, I think that when people say that, they are referring to originality in the work. "Don't copy my stuff - do your own!" is what I would mean if I put that on anything. <br><br>On the other hand, there's the question over inspirationm: how far does something inspire you to draw something similar before it becomes plagarism?

I dunno why people bother with labels that should be common sense.<br>In any case, I'll agree with midnight's interpretation "Don't snag this and try to make a profit from it in any way." but would like to add a crucial point:<br>Copying the image it and saying you drew it -not giving the artist credit- is what lots of little brat art thieves do, seeking attention and praise for artwork when they deserve none. <i>Not giving the artist credit is also stealing</i>.

Okay, but I'm still not sure about these few pics I have whether I should delete them and pretend they were never there or keep 'em to look at whenever I want.

Where are they from?

Keep them if they're for your viewing pleasure. Just don't print them out or post them online.

Okay, I'll go with that.<br>And they're just furart I've collected off the net here and there.

Why not print them off? So long as you don't distribute them, I personally don't see what's wrong with printing off a picture you like and sticking it in your room - it's not really copying.

<!--QuoteBegin-likeafox+Dec 18 2004, 10:13 AM--> <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' ><tr><td class='quotetop'><b>Quote:</b> (likeafox @ Dec 18 2004, 10:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quotebody'> Copying the image it and saying you drew it <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table> <!--QuoteEEnd--><br> That would be profiting in the form of boosting your PHAT INTARWEB REP, but yeah, point taken. I should have elaborated a tad more. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://definecynical.mancubus.net/forum ... /smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

--Edited to remove unnecessary portion of quote tree.<br><br><!--QuoteBegin-MidnightRealism+Dec 18 2004, 02:12 AM--> <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' ><tr><td class='quotetop'><b>Quote:</b> (MidnightRealism @ Dec 18 2004, 02:12 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quotebody'> My understanding has been "Don't snag this and try to make a profit from it in any way." <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table> <!--QuoteEEnd--><br>yeah, that's what I'd say.<br><br>Also, it means refer people to their site to distribute it, not distribute it yourself, and don't go producing products for personal use from it that they try to sell.<br><br>In other words, follow standard ethics.<br><br>As for copying it to your computer, it depends on your intent of use . . .

I've got some art on my computer too, because i liked them. I think that's ok as long as you don't distribute/profit from it without the artist's consent.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'>In my case as far as my own artwork (such as it is). I don't mind if people copy it onto their comps or print it out (In fact I feel honored if someone thought that my work was good enough for that) but not to make say calenders etc for sale for profit or fileing off the serial numbers and claiming it to be their own work. But if someone wants to use some of my concepts and ideas then I'd be happy to talk with them. basicly following common sense. </span> </span><br><br>

Short story, if you have to copy something, ask.<br><br>When there is a "Don't Copy" thing on these, I feel that that is strongly lacking information. Generally, I see that message as a means of explicitly and casually reminding others that the artist does not wish the art to be copied for use by others elsewhere. If they say 'don't download it', that would mean don't try to make some effort of preserving it on your computer somewhere just because viewing it has already put it on your hard drive.<br><br> As for determining to what degree the artist wishes to allow a person to use artwork, your best bet is to ask.<br><br>I'm no professional, so in the case of my artwork, I do not mind people downloading them for personal viewing, noncommercial use, or even to share them with others as I do, as long as I get some acknowledgement or credit for my contribution. ("Hey, check out this drawing Tavis made!") In the case of derivative works (modifying my stuff to make a different work of art) or "licensed" products (if, say, you want to put something on a t-shirt), I wouldn't generally permit it without including a few extra terms for negotiation just to be fair. To know more about those, you will have to ask, since listing every possible scenario could fill a book (at least).