Fan art or fanart are artworks created by fans of a work of fiction (generally visual media such as comics, movies, television shows or video games) and derived from a character or other aspect of that work.
You can draw anything you like... simple, right??? or is it?
There is a vast audience for Fan Art online and at conventions. Fan art is also an entry point for collectors. As comic conventions have become more popular with mainstream audiences... a whole new audience for Fan Art has grown along with the general public attendees at cons.
Fan art is where artists and collectors can see mash-ups of characters that would never occur in licensed art. The playground of fan art is vast.... and the demand is growing.
The grey zone of Fan Art merchandise has become a Pandora's box. Attendees snap up all sorts of prints, t-shirts, tote bags and other merchandise for sale ... mostly at tables in Artists Alley. Fans love the creative riffs on cherished characters... but the sale of Fan Art items is a minefield.
Fans and young artists see established artists selling art prints of their personal renditions of famous characters... BUT, they often aren't aware that these established artists have licensed the use of those characters for this commercial purpose from the copyright holders.
Strictly speaking, unlicensed Fan Art merchandise violates the rights of copyright and trademark holders (mostly large entertainment companies and studios). But these same companies are aware that fans love fan art.. and there's not much point in the companies bullying small vendors. However, lack of enforcement is not the same as endorsement. Tolerating fan art is a courtesy by the companies.. but it also encourages the false assumption that characters and art aren't protected. License holding companies can and do go after indie artists who generate too many sales with unauthorized images.
The fan art culture of tolerated unauthorized use of images may seem like fair use... but it's not. Fan art culture is use of licensed characters that is tolerated by license holders that are often large companies. Fan art culture also contributes to the myth that art is free for the taking. This culture erodes valuable rights for indie artists.
Many indie artists have suffered the unauthorized use of images they've posted online. Previous posts here on the blog document all sorts of case studies of Internet image theft:
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/copyright-info-for-artists_15.html
If artists want fans to know their online art is NOT free.. then artists can't take liberties with images and characters that are owned by others.
Everyone benefits when artist rights are honored. Artists and fans are best served by better education about copyright.
Artist Manuel Carmona used his blog to tackle some of the Fan Art issues in his Feb 2016 post: "Artists: Stop Selling Unlicensed Prints". His post is on point. He encourages artists to strive for independent work AND gives great tips to help them get there. Take a look at the comments his measured look at Fan Art generated. The comments are a glimpse into the depth of turmoil and mis-information swirling about Fan Art practices.
http://www.theartofmanuelcarmona.com/blog/artists-stop-selling-unlicensed-prints
Fan Art is a brilliant opportunity for real education and cooperation. Artists. Vendors. Convention Organizers. License holders. Imagine if instead of whistling in the dark, everyone agreed on guidelines that were fair and reasonable.
Convention organizers are starting to crack down on vendors. There have always been policies in place that prohibit the unauthorized use of licensed images. Now organizers are making those policies more public with specific email communications to exhibitors prior to events.
Amy commentary:
Personally... and this is just my take on the situation... I would like to see a provisional license for Fan Art. It would take some planning on the part of license holders and convention organizers, but I think a license for artist alley vendors... with a nominal fee, and renewable for a limited period of 3 to 5 years.. would help educate artists and fans about the entire licensing and copyright process. The license fee might even be used to help fund charities that benefit indie artists, like the Hero Initiative. http://heroinitiative.org/
Back to post...
Protecting artist rights starts with education for artists and fans.
(copyright graphic below by Mark Alison)
UPDATE 5.2.16.
Article by Peter Decherney on Forbes website... ""In Copyright Lawsuit, Star Trek Fan Work Gets Its 'Easy Rider' Moment..."
http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdecherney/2016/05/02/in-copyright-lawsuit-star-trek-fan-work-gets-its-easy-rider-moment
There is summary here of long history of fan works and Star Trek.. as well as some insights into current situation with fan film project "Axanar"
UPDATE 6.12.16
Blog post by lawyer Seth Polansky "Intellectual Property II: The Wrath of Con(s)" from 6.10.16. He describes the "multiple, overlapping problems" of fan art... and "... in the discussions below, I've attempted to provide some suggestions intended to help artists, vendors and con-goers alike navigate their way through this..."
http://www.sethpolanskylaw.com/2016/06/10/intellectual-property-the-wrath-of-cons/
UPDATE 9.18.16
Article by Rich Johnston from 9.2.16 on Bleeding Cool website ... Comic Expo stressing original art and guidelines for artist-exhibitors...
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/09/02/cincinnati-comic-expo-takes-a-stand-against-rip-off-artists/
UPDATE 10.18.16
"Ten Copyright Cases Every Fan Fiction Writer Should Know"
http://www.trademarkandcopyrightlawblog.com/2016/10/10-copyright-cases-every-fan-fiction-writer-should-know-about/
UPDATE 10.22.16
http://www.fanbasepress.com/index.php/press/featured-series/item/7042-geekscare-an-interview-with-amy-wagner-about-art-theft-and-how-indie-creators-can-protect-themselves
UPDATE 2.18.17
"Is Fan Art Illegal?" ... post by artidy and teacher Chris Oatley on Art and Sterf art reference tumblr blog.
http://art-and-sterf.tumblr.stfi.re/post/157052803993/is-fan-art-illegal?sf=pgzjrla#aa
This post includes the 2012 comic con panel by Josh Wattles --- clearly an important and popular source for clearing up the fog surrounding Fan Art.
…. Not only do fan artists tell new stories and learn new skills through their work (or more often, play), fan art can be a vehicle for exploring your own identity. In a research study with young fan artists worldwide, generally aged 14 to 24, Marjorie Cohee Manifold, professor of arts education and curriculum studies at Indiana University, reported that 70 percent of participants “described being drawn as fans to specific characters in narratives of popular culture because they saw desirable traits in the characters that they wished to possess or emulate.” In short, during a formative period of their lives, these people were drawn to worlds or characters that had characteristics they wanted to have in their own lives…
…. Making fan art can also be meditative. Zubernis explains that some people get into a flow state through art, and it helps them get a sense of control in the world. Creating in this way helps people focus on the here and now, instead of worrying about the past or future, she says, and that can make people feel good.
On a similar note, fan art can help both fans and artists come to terms with difficult material or story elements that are problematic or hard for fans to accept. Zubernis cites fans who are still healing from the ending of the television show Supernatural (no spoilers here) and have mediated that hurt through fan art in the months since the show’s end. “It helps us go places we don't want to go,” Zubernis says, because we can go there in a safe way.
There’s also joy in creation, Zubernis explains. Since fan art is often personal or shared within a community, the rules aren’t the same as they would be for someone creating works for a job or for commercial purposes. Fan artists can do literally anything they imagine. To borrow a phrase from Marie Kondo, fan art can spark joy, Zubernis says….
…. Others may be concerned about issues of copyright, since some media and entertainment franchises are more litigious than others. Issues of copyright and fair use are unfortunately not well defined, and they often err on the side of the copyright holder, rarely the artist, who more often will avoid a potential legal battle with a large company than stand behind their art. Zubernis points out that the benefits of fan art can outweigh these negative feelings, however.
Ultimately,
fan art is a healthy way to express one’s self and find inspiration to think
about new worlds, skills, or new versions of self through the love of a fandom.
After all, it’s a lot of fun to make. I’ll keep painting my Peeps or making
merit badges as a way to celebrate my love of Among Us.”
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