*Edit 3/18/09*
~DesiResi has written a really good journal entry about the right way and the wrong way to approach theft. It can be seen here: [link]
I also posted a guide to reporting a suspicious piece of artwork, and how to deal with trolls.
-IchigoSeppun


Hello there! IchigoSeppun here.
I've decided to make a journal entry with a few Q&A to help out members and non-members alike, with some help from Deviantart's own policies and FAQ.
I apologize in advance for the large amount of text

Q: What is art theft?
A: Art theft, according to DA's #8 Policy, is this:
"Generally speaking any submission which is directly built upon the existing work of another artist or photographer can be considered to be a case of art theft. These works may feature screenshots, official artwork or sprites taken from a video game, scans from an art book, artwork found on a website somewhere on the internet or a photograph of a famous person (just to name a few examples), but in every case the 'seed image' is the legal property of another artist. In many cases these 'seed images' are manipulated, colored over, blended with other images, and otherwise digitally worked over but none of this makes the use acceptable or allowed."

So basically, if someone takes an image that they themselves did not produce and do not have permission to do so, it's considered theft.

Along the same lines as policy #8, Deviantart also explains what they consider to be 'Fanart' in Policy #572:
"The type of fan art which is deemed acceptable for submission are those work in which the submitting artist has done 100% of the work. This means that the artist had started with a blank slate and perhaps a reference (a pose, character, location, or other source) and proceeded to draw, paint, or otherwise create every line and place every color with their own hand.
Unacceptable submissions may feature screenshots, official artwork from a video game, scans from an art book, a photograph of a famous person, or similar items but in every case the source material is considered the legal property of another artist. In many cases these 'seed images' are manipulated, colored over, blended with other images, and otherwise digitally worked over."

In other words, they prohibit posting recolors of existing work, tracings, filtering, and other forms of manipulating existing work.


Q: What about tracing?
A: As far as tracing goes, it's a tad tricky. Though Policy #304 prohibits direct tracings/'vector' art, there's been a large amount of hypocracy as of 2008.
I'm sure most of you are aware of the case of =Vampirella87 and her 'vector' art. Recently, Deviantart once again changed their stance on vectors and tracings and she was forced to leave the site (finally).
This is what Policy #304 says Deviantart does NOT tolerate (which is what we usually go by) :
- Reproduction is misrepresented as being something other than a copy of an existing work.
- The reproduction exactly duplicates an original work and the owner of the original work files a complaint.
- The reproduction targets a stock resource and violates one or more of the Terms and Conditions for use.
- The reproduction actually contains elements of the original (i.e. photo showing through paintover).
Now, if there is an image that is referenced from another image (poses, etc), that's usually okay. It's impossible to accuse someone of ripping off another piece by a pose alone. If the image has more in common than just a pose, it can be reported as theft.

Q: What sort of things aren't allowed on Deviantart?
A: Explicit pornography (includes written text)/pedophilia (includes written text)/underage nudes, Hate Art/Hate Propaganda (includes racist, sexist and otherwise bigoted art/written text), real dead/mutilated bodies of humans and/or animals, real self-harm or mutilation, and real body fluids such as blood, semen, etc. If you see any artwork depicting something listed here, report it immediately.

Q: What if I credit a work in my gallery that isn't mine?
A: If you want to use a piece in your gallery that isn't yours, you need written permission from the original artist. This does not include free lineart.

Q: So if I suspect someone of art theft or other violation, what do I do?
A: If you come across a work or gallery you think seems suspicious, you can either report it to us, or if you have proof report the works themselves on the pages.
When you go to view an image, at the bottom of the image there should be a link labeled 'Report Deviation'. When you click that link, it gives you the following options:
- Prohibited Content: Deviations that break the rules or shouldn't be allowed (Graphic Pornography, Underage Nudity, Hate/Propaganda Art, Self Harm/Non-Simulated Injury, and Not Listed).
- Misplaced Deviation: Deviations that don't belong where you found them (in the wrong category).
- Art Theft: Deviations that use things without permission (stolen work, traced work, etc).
- Mature Tag Needed: Deviations that need to be tagged as mature.
- Theft of MY Work: YOUR work used without permission.

Then it will give you a text bar to paste a link to the original image, and under that there is a slide bar for you to determine the severity of the situation (Usually the admins are faster to respond if the bar is set at severe, at least from my experience).
Any other notes about the image or suspected user can be placed in the text box below the slide bar, then click 'Send'.

Keep in mind, the Deviantart Admins do NOT work on weekends, so if something is reported on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, it most likely won't be dealt with until the following Monday or later in the week. Remember, patience is key.

Q: What do I do if I come across a Troll?
A: If you happen across a Troll account, DO NOT INTERACT WITH THEM. Simply report them and move on. By attempting to reason with them, flame them, or anything of the sort, you're only giving them what they want: attention.
Troll accounts are banned much quicker and more painless if you simply report them, and you won't get yourself into trouble if the admins find you harassing them.


Note about age requirements: Deviantart does not allow anyone under the age of 13 to be a member of the site, in accordance with COPPA laws. Anyone you come across that's under the age requirement should be reported. They will be banned from accessing their account until they reach the required age, and once they reach 13, their account will be reopened.

I also want to make a note about rules for Journal entries, since this has come up to the club recently.
Deviantart Policy #34: Rules for Journals
DeviantART allows the greatest possible range of expression in personal journals and as a result there are few rules or prohibitions governing personal journals.
Understand that there are children and those underage that enjoy Deviantart just as much as you do. Therefore, be conscious of posting images that may have content which would be harmful to a younger person.
It is against policy to post anything that would be considered pornography in your personal journal, whether it be image or textual.
You may not post hate propaganda or libelous or defamatory information in your journal.
You may not use your journal to display unfiltered images which are considered to be Mature Content
Journals which are found to be violating these rules will be subject to removal by the deviantART staff without notice.

So as you can see, posting journals that slander other artist's work is against the rules. There is a difference between critiquing art and just being a jerk.
As I always say: if you don't like it, don't look.

If there are any other policies you think should be posted, or if you have any questions, please feel free to note the club or me personally :3