Reality Shift

9/26/2006 - Legalese pitfalls

Some of you may have noticed that I took a drawing or two away. That's so I could avoid any troublesome legalese pitfalls, have lawyers gunning after me, the whole thing.

Basically, to be absolutely safe, I can't post any illustrations actually used in a production, even after the product is out.

But there are a few things I need to clear up with the resident lawyer:

What about portfolios, and what if said portfolio is online. Would adding a big watermark over the piece be considered sufficient.

What if a piece you create, on your freetime and at home, you end up donating to the production but it has already been put on your website (there are Teen Titans drawings that I did in that situation)

What if it's a piece of art that ended up not being used in the production. Can it be shown once the product is out.

The answers I'll get may not apply to everyone: different companies, different policies. Still, these are questions one has to ask more and more in the era of blogs, online galleries, and companies who like to let loose their packs of hungry lawyers after you.

On a quick lighter note:

Went to the Ottawa Animation festival-had a blast

Friend Jim Murray has put sample pages of a comic he's working on. Note, he's also looking for a publisher. Go look, drool and pass out. Awesome pages (you can scroll through a few, and even get a close up of a few images):

http://www.jimmurrayart.com/Ashcan_01.htm

I started a gallery at Deviant Art. Me bad, but I really like how that gallery works in term of interaction.

http://rufftoon.deviantart.com/

Here's one of the recent images I uploaded on it. I'm becoming more and more an Avatar fan, and soon may be able to wear the "Avatarted" badge with pride...or not.

Frothers