ANNOUNCEMENT: REGARDING THE SELLING OF MSPA STUFF

[lightningRecluse]

So, I have a question.
I've been mulling around the idea for awhile, but, now I'm not sure if it's legally allowed.

I've been thinking of making a kind of text adventure that involves a little art and music as a service to anybody who reads it.
As such, I cannot make art or music.
I can write, however. At least to an extent.
So I had the idea of perhaps hiring somebody to do the drawings and the music.
Is this acceptable or would I have to go through Hussie first?
The adventure would not be involving the canon characters at all, if that helps any.

[Blueberry]

Any negotiations involving money have to take place off-board, but putting an adventure on the forums that was a commissioned effort should be fine.

[lightningRecluse]

Thanks for the feedback.

[techloveArtist]

Okay, a friend of mine was actually asking AH for permission (4 times) which in turn one of the letters were forwarded to What Pumpkin then turned down. (First was turned down towards mass commercial but when he said handmade anways, he was still turned down.) I believe he wanted to sell prints.

What's the deal?

How I understand with the posts that were mentioned was that EVERYTHING can be a-okay as long as AH checks it out and he gives written permission to the artist. I have just linked to him this thread but I think I will link to him this post so he can figure out a way to continue this conversation because I was hoping in the future I ask for permission too so I kinda want to hear this getting cleared up though. It is my perception that is flawed instead?

[Blueberry]

What do you mean, what's the deal?

Andrew owns his IP and the complete rights to the production of merchandise. If he decides not to give permission, that's his prerogative.

Prints, particularly, tend to not be allowed because they could be considered in direct competition with the WP print store.

Permission is given on a case-by-case basis. Only Andrew or a member of his personal team (the WP core) could tell you why a specific case was rejected.

[techloveArtist]

Sorry, when I meant that comment I meant that I was under the impression that Andrew accepted almost all of the art selling proposals in which my friend's decline would be this new different idea of what I assumed. Considering my friend does sell prints, I am certain this was the general case. It kinda throws me off for a loop that if Andrew has a second to forward the mail then why not a second to copy and paste a generic message? Anyways, it's his concern. I personally don't believe that selling prints would be in direct competition of the store (I think the choice to buy the print it is based of the art than the print) but once again it's Andrew's thing, not mine and if anything I would have to directly talk to Andrew in this case.

[CommuneHost]

Mm, I can see not allowing print-selling since it's even more derivative than regular merchandise. I don't suppose any of those letters offered Hussie a commission?

I don't have any Homestuck anything to sell as of yet (and probably never will) but I was wondering if there was an official process for becoming an officially licensed UNlicensed seller of Homestuck merchandise? I've got a dirty blanket and/or trenchcoat handy and I'm prepared to refer to the selling of my products as "Numba One Bargain!" I'm still working on the country of manufacture, but I'll have that worked out before I start selling stuff.

[Blueberry]

I don't have any Homestuck anything to sell as of yet (and probably never will) but I was wondering if there was an official process for becoming an officially licensed UNlicensed seller of Homestuck merchandise?

nope, just send an email to andrewhussie@gmail.com explaining what you want to sell and where (online, at cons, etc)

[techloveArtist]

Hmmm, what do you mean about the commission CommuneHost?

[Blueberry]

A portion of the profits.

[techloveArtist]

Hmm...just offering that would help one's chances?...Although, why wouldn't WhatPumpkin ask the artists for that? Something like, "Would you like to consider to become commissioned?"

[Blueberry]

I've received notice that mspaquestions@gmail.com is now the address you should contact to ask about permission.

[techloveArtist]

Yeah, I noticed the halftruth post on tumblr. I've already forwarded this post to him. Thanks Blueberry.

[ChemIisan]

So all I have to do is ask Andrew? Easy enou- wait, he's too busy all the time. Who should I contact if I wanted to sell a T-Shirt and send the chunk that belongs to him to him? I have an entertaining idea, but I'm not sure how to give him the royalty, if it even exists. What happens if I only sell two shirts? Then perhaps we both make money, but it would feel like a monumental waste of time on his part. The same goes if it sells very well, to where I would be sending him too many checks! I'm confused, quite frankly!

[Blueberry]

I've received notice that mspaquestions@gmail.com is now the address you should contact to ask about permission.

[AluxutheSpider]

I don't have any talents that would make me able to create anything sale-worthy. But if I were talented in any way and made something, and got a hold of Hussie for permission... my inner fangirl would more than likely lead me to give Hussie any and all money I made.

Now, I have a regular job that I can support myself with, so the "lost income" from giving Hussie 100% of the profit wouldn't be an issue for me, as I realize it to be for other artists.
I don't really know what the point of this post was.
Oh right!
I think this should make those super talented folks even MORE excited to make their Homestuck wares, because *you might get to contact THE Andrew Hussie about it* and that is such a huge incentive everyone should be happy and joyous.
Whoops I'm rambling okay bye. :c

[Chirijiradin]

OK, I've got a question that I'm pretty sure wasn't covered...

I have been toying with the idea of making and possibly selling scarves based on the Cairo Overcoat, but since it's MSPA related, I figure I had better cover all of my bases and ask here if that would be OK, I also plan to send an email to the aforementioned address specifically concerning these matters at some point later, when I have all of the planning, and preparation as complete as it's going to be without getting permission.

[Blueberry]

Sending an email is your best bet! Good luck!

[Chirijiradin]

OK, and thank you for that!

[irregularNotation]

There seems to be quite a few Etsy shops going under the radar with this. I wasn't sure if anyone was aware of that or if anything can really be done about it. I don't approve of the decision to bar non-competitive merchandise but I still respect Hussie and the legal's team decision enough not to do it. But it's a bit discouraging when so many people seem to be operating in plain sight regardless of this request. I've reported the shops in question and contacted the shop owners. I guess I'm just not sure how to feel about so many people getting away with it when a lot of us (who make our living through crafts) can't get that permission.

[Chirijiradin]

Welp, finally got an email sent out concerning selling those scarves.

*Crosses fingers*

[Chirijiradin]

Looks like I can't sell them, according to What Pumpkin.

And it looks like they aren't even willing to negotiate a way for this to work :/

[poinko]

I recently sent in an email myself in regards to some art, but I haven't heard back about it. I guess it's bad timing on my part, since the Kickstarter went up a day or so after I sent my request, so I can understand if things have been too topsy-turvy to be able to deal with all the requests. It's been a few weeks though, so I figured I'd post here, on the off chance there might be a problem with the email itself (either on my end or the other), just to see if I can get an answer. Thanks!

[voidprincess]

I recently sent in an email myself in regards to some art, but I haven't heard back about it. I guess it's bad timing on my part, since the Kickstarter went up a day or so after I sent my request, so I can understand if things have been too topsy-turvy to be able to deal with all the requests. It's been a few weeks though, so I figured I'd post here, on the off chance there might be a problem with the email itself (either on my end or the other), just to see if I can get an answer. Thanks!

I don't know what types of HS art you wanted to sell, but the third Q here explains the OK on normal 2D commissions! uvu

[poinko]

Oh cool, thanks! I looked it over and it kind of answered my question! The art in question wasn't commissioned; it's just plain old fan art. However I keep a portfolio of all the art that I do to sell at conventions. These aren't prints, they're the actual art, and I wanted to see if it was okay to put these in my 'for sale' binder. I also asked about prints, but it looks like WP doesn't allow individual prints and also isn't taking print submissions, so I guess I won't be doing any prints

Thanks again for the link though! I will be sure to reference it before I send out any more emails!