Allowei
Please read the contents of this first post carefully before commenting on or arguing against the topic! Things have come up in thread discussion that had already been clarified in this post.
The Situation
Some time ago, Gaia released a flood of emote bubbles in the Cash Shop featuring a variety of graphics. Among those graphics were four images directly lifted from the webcomic, Homestuck, as well as other graphics directly related to the comic in the form of color coded zodiac signs. While the latter is public domain, the "Green Worm," "Purple Martian," "Record," and "Blue Atom" are almost exact copies of designs that appeared in the comic.
This was done without getting permission from, or even notifying, the artist of the comic, Andrew Hussie.
The artist has publicly requested that derivatives of his work not be sold or commercially used in any way shape or form without his expressed permission. This is a right granted to him under US Copyright Law. His representatives have tried to contact Gaia staff in the past to no avail, and because his comic is a very small operation with a staff that is already stretched thin and no legal counsel, pursuing the matter would be an unwise and pointless allocation of resources.
Is this why Gaia has taken advantage of this fandom's popularity without having the decency to bother asking? Why would they handle this any differently than other partnerships they've formed in the past? Because he's essentially one guy that poses very little legal threat?
Or is it because they'd have to pay HIM royalties rather than the other way around? I'm sure AMC rewarded them handsomely for these The Walking Dead shirts and other related items, but they shouldn't have to pay Andrew for benefiting from his comic's popularity, right? He should be thanking them for the free publicity, right?? Except he doesn't want free advertising or publicity, and Gaia staff would know this if they'd asked.
Now, after the emote bubbles have long since been retired from the Cash Shop, I find out they've introduced more Homestuck-themed items: Candy Horns.
These are based off the "candy corn horns" of an alien race that appears in the comic (the same source the colored zodiac signs are from). While the colors have been altered and they are crafted from formulas you can only find, not buy, some of the designs are largely unaltered and the lack of common courtesy remains; Andrew was never asked nor told of this.
If you aren't bothered by the questionable legality and disrespect behind these items, that's perfectly fine. You are free to be feel however you feel about the issue for whatever reasons you may have and ignore this petition. Gaia has been assimilating and modifying elements from popular media into its own content for years so what's another log on the fire. Business as usual. Why should you care?
But if you're a fan of Homestuck and you appreciate all the hard work and time Andrew puts into the creation and sharing of his stories, show him a little respect and sign this petition.
Respectfully,
Lexxy, Contributing Homestuck Artist
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me directly--this thread has been moving very fast and I might miss it!
What I Actually Hope To Accomplish Here + FAQ
Lexxy, surely you don't think they'll actually remove these items!
No, I don't. I can't even begin to imagine what a logistical nightmare that would be. As it was pointed out later in the discussion, since the bubbles were Cash Shop items from a base item that randomized which bubble you got, and since the bubbles have changed hands countless times since they were received, there's probably no good way to remove them and properly compensate those who had them.
Then what, exactly, do you want them to do?
Two things, really.
1) Open a dialogue with Andrew Hussie. The decision as to what happens to the items should ultimately arise from an agreed upon settlement between Gaia and Andrew, BUT...
2) The most reasonable suggestion to be brought to light so far in this thread's discussion is the possible locking of said items, so that they are no longer able to be traded or sold. It sounds as if this has been done before, and seems to be a reasonable course of action.
Who are you to champion this effort instead of Andrew? Why hasn't he tried contacting them directly?
I'm Lexxy, a member of the official Homestuck art team, and have been asked by Andrew to speak on his behalf in the past on issues pertaining to the use of his intellectual property as protected by US copyright law.
Andrew has explained on his tumblr why he isn't heading the movement himself, and why he hasn't taken any further action to contact Gaia himself. I say further action, because his girlfriend and business associate, Rachel, has already tried contacting them in the past to no avail.
That being said, if any member of the community or Gaia staff happens upon this and can direct us to the proper lines of communication for this sort of thing, please send me a PM so I can forward the information.
Banner Codes
At your request, here are codes for two different kinds of banners you can put in your signatures with links to this thread!
This one is for the banner I've used for the header:
[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/petitions/remove-homestuck-related-items/t.76030935_1/][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/kysds13/REMOVEhomestuck2.jpg[/img][/url]
And this one is for the banner that's in my signature:
[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/petitions/remove-homestuck-related-items/t.76030935_1/][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/kysds13/REMOVEhomestuck.jpg[/img][/url]
Here is the Thread.
