:shakecopyright:

Dear Average Young dA User:

You might not have heard of it before, but there is something out there called "copyright". It isn't just an annoying word that gets in the way of you posting the shit you want to post. It's a law.

That's right, Copyright Law. You know how much you love to steal stuff? Well, it's illegal. Yes my little deviantART addict, posting things - whether icons, emoticons, funny pictures, de/motivational posters, whatever - that isn't yours? IT IS STEALING.

Would you walk into a store that has cool clothes, find a shirt you really like that has a lulzy picture on it, stick it in your pocket without paying for it, and bring it home to show your friends? Probably not, because that's STEALING. And stealing is against the law.




Time and time again I see people posting wallpapers they made with their favourite Twilight characters or Harry Potter characters or whatever characters they love so much - pictures taken from random websites, news articles, official movie sites, fan forums, wherever you like. Those pictures are not free. They are owned by someone who doesn't appreciate you stealing their shit.

Then, these wonderous wallpapers made with stolen stuff, well, they say: "please dont steal this its mine. if u want to use let me know and credit me. dont post it other places okay!".




.       .        .




So, you took photographs that YOU STOLE, stuck them on a background and put pretty flowers around the edge, and posted it here... then asked that people DON'T STEAL IT?

!?!?!?

Please, I beg of you, use your brain. Stealing is not okay, whether it's you stealing photos from some website or people stealing that picture you made from you. Theft is theft, no matter from whom or of what.





Take some time to read up on dA's policies here:
FAQ #8: What does deviantART consider to be Art Theft?
FAQ #157: Can I use things created by other people in my submissions?
FAQ #257: What sort of permission do I need to use someone else's work?
FAQ #193: How do I prove that I had permission to use someone's work?

For images and resources you really can use
FAQ #217: What are "Stock Photos" and can I use "Stock Photos" in my submissions?
The Resources Gallery

Other helpful FAQs:
FAQ #94: Can I use the images I find on deviantART?
FAQ #191: What is deviantART's stance on asking for or giving out copyrighted music, video or programs while using the site?


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In the spirit of respecting copyright and whatnot - but mainly out of respect - I would like to credit `hprince329 for creating the original , which was the inspiration for this emoticon.