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I've been seeing a rise in restrictions on Fanart lately, and it's because the industry itself is hurting BADLY right now. Fanart has never truly been legal, it's just been in a little grey area where the companies were looking the other way, but they can't afford to do that anymore, so more and more that's going to be reduced.

Honestly, though, I've never had any major issues by my not selling any fanart to speak of... I have a few charms and occasionally some stickers with little chibi designs of different characters, that may end up being phased out as these types of rules continue. S'okay, I sell the originals too and have ideas for more designs of them anyway. Catgirls and lolis still sell. smile

Generally, the restrictions seem to cover things that are similar to what you can buy in the dealers' room as licensed merchandise, or things that are too close to the original. Chibis and personal style are remaining okay for now, but I see this changing in the future. Again, I don't mind. I want the companies to survive.

Also, commissions are remaining okay, since they're totally unique one-off things that you couldn't possibly just go buy at a dealer's table or from the company. And that's where most of my fanart comes from anyway.

I do see a lot more fanart restrictions. AWA just put in place a rule that your table cannot consist wholly of fanart. I actually have been toying with increasing the amount of fanart I offer, because it sells better. Still would be my style, and would be characters I like anyway.

One thing that irks is is some cons cutting down on crafts. JACON has now told me I can no longer sell chokers, because it 'conflicts with dealers'. I was selling them first, you jerks stressed I just don't like being restricted by somebody who is mass producing cheaper products and decided to do something the handmade people helped make popular.

You would really hate Katsucon then,

Their restrictions are by far the greatest ive ever seen. They wont allow anything in there that basically isnt print media (or original on paper) basically if it could potentially compete in dealers room its not allowed. Buttons are allowed however they must be original. Also your pieces must be graphic based, nothing text based as the primary focus.

Now the con also has a fairly strict set of fanart restrictions (a certain percentage of your table must be original works and no fanart buttons or trinkets), which is fine and i can respect that however what really pisses me off is, the rules weren't even remotely enforced this year. Two artists had booths where there was little to no original art at all. (i know this cause i asked them to point out their originals to me and were talking like 5 or 6 pieces compared to the rest all fanart.) one of these artists had fanart bearing an official logo on it, and other tables had fanart buttons in plain view.

The AA staff really needs to get its act together there. Although after talking with a few people i think it might be a situation of if the staff likes you or not.

I should mention that although i was at the convention over the weekend, i wasn't an artist alley participant.

I am very wary of artist alley restrictions that aren't involving fanart. Fanart has justification to be regulated because you are working with something that you don't technically own, so while I feel there should be freedom for the artist (and they can take the responsibilty of the copyright risks) there is justification for rules on it. However, limits on craft items are an utter load of s**t and idiocy. (I may be biased since I am a huge crafter here, but hear me out.)

Unless you are selling a bunch of knickknacks that you had mass produced in a sweatshop and mailed in by the boatload it is still an artform and should absolutely be permitted if not encouraged in the AA. Every plushie, hat or necklace that I make is handcrafted with time and effort put into each one and they as much a piece of art as any drawing I, or anyone else selling has made. You know, god forbid if my stuff competes with the dealer's room then why not make the dealer's remove all of their posters, photo case keychains, and anything else that competes with the products artists create, only fair right?

ARTISTIC RAAAAGE XD