Why is the avatar policy the way it is?

[Nadezhda al'Lanahrin]

As the question is in the thread title. Why can't we just put credit to the artist in our signatures or biographies? (1) Why ask permission? (2) Why do we have to have a process for it? Are avatars not fair use?

 

[Roheryn ni Galghandhrei t'al'Djinn]

There are a few reasons for this. We used to be much stricter about changes than we are now. Since we don't allow different people to use the same avatar, it has been helpful to have someone else confirm that an avatar isn't already in use. Not everyone realizes that they need permission, so it is a check to make sure that people have the artist's permission to use it.

 

[Erin al'Denael]

"Free use" depends on the avatar in question. If you get an avatar from an avatar generator site offering free use avatars, you could just use it and be fine. If you choose something from the 1800s or earlier, odds are that's free too. If you decide you like a piece of art that someone created and placed under copy write, the onus is on you to secure permission to use. You putting credit in a signature, @Nadezhda al'Lanahrin, does not mean the artist who created the image is okay with you doing that. Many artists deny the use of their images as avatars. Doesn't mean people around the internet don't do it, but we as a community can be better than that.

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

From what I understand, the requirement for permission from the artist is tied to our 501(C) charity status. (I could be wrong, though.) Other WoT communities I've been a part of don't have this rule. I'm certainly not pushing against it, but we're also the only group with that status that I know of.

 

[Boreas Silverfir]

Add in the current AI art issues where bots are scraping public available images to "learn" and it makes sense to have the policy the way it is

 

[Siera al'Cere]

While this art isn't typically what I do, as someone who creates things I could see myself being uncomfortable as someone using my art as their 'face', especially if I didn't know the person (as most artists wouldn't). At the end of the day it comes down to the comfort level of the artist and I know that as a member of TV.Net and a graphic designer I appreciate that TV.Net takes into consideration the artist and their comfort.

From what I understand, the requirement for permission from the artist is tied to our 501(C) charity status. (I could be wrong, though.)

As far as I know, our legal status as a charity isn't a requirement, as this rule has been in effect since before we had that status.

 

[Nadezhda al'Lanahrin]

Thanks for all your responses!!