Update : DMCA part 2
Added 2021-02-02 15:31:13 +0000 UTCThank you all for your comments, yesterday. I really appreciate you guys, and it helped to see such kind comments yesterday while I was dealing with the news.
So the TL;DR
The DMCA appears to be legitimate. Switching to different services, like substar or fanbox would not give immunity from this from happening again, and thus is out of the question.
Furthermore, patreon themselves have always been pleasant and supportive of my work, and while it is their responsibility to enforce Nintendo's DMCA, I do not want you to feel they are responsible for this event.
Nintendo feels it's in their legal right to tell me to no longer post work like this here, and I am not equipped to take them to court over it, to argue my position that I create sufficiently transformative work.
Therefore, I will be complying with their demands, and removing all pokemon-related artwork from this site. I aim to have this completed today, to keep my patreon account in good standing.
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With a heavy heart, I must announce that my Haven project is effectively canceled. This is the biggest blow of all, as i've put literal years and lots of love into it. It has been a lot of fun, but due to the circumstances, there is no way to continue with it as is.
But it's not all bad!
I will be taking the worldbuilding, setting stuff and using it as a launchpad for a new project. I spent most of yesterday doing the groundwork for my next comic project, and if you liked what i was doing with Haven, I'm sure you'll enjoy my next project. Hey, maybe you'll enjoy it more!
Of course, getting a wholly original property together is going to take a little time, but as always i'll be sure to post frequent updates / character concepts / etc for you to see and chime in on. And i look forward to getting input from you all on things you'd like to see in the new comic, as at this point there's a lot to be established!
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The only real confusing thing is Sketch Suggestions.
Due to my inability to create nintendo-related content, pokemon are now no longer allowed as suggestions. Furthermore, i'm hesitant to do any fanart at all for the patreon, as i'm sure you can understand.
I will still hold sketch suggestions, of course, but, know the limitations i am now under when making your suggestions. I'm very sorry about this.
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And lastly, there's the matter of commissions. I am unable to create and post anything nintendo-related on this site, on my patreon time.
Please reach out to me elsewhere to discuss scheduled commissions, I aim to keep everyone happy.
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Thank you very much for reading through this update, and above all else, thank you very much for your support. I was only able to create what i have to this point, thanks to you, and I plant to continue making art you will enjoy, and I will enjoy making.
I want this to be as positive as it can be, so, here's looking forward to what's ahead of us!
Comments
I mean.... Just change the characters slightly? So that you may finish but they aren't specifically pokemon?
Sarah Perry
2021-02-03 22:30:27 +0000 UTClately, nintedo has been degrading as a company in my eyes. first with all these desist claims to popular artists, and the massive fucking scandals with the smash tournaments. They fact that they have targeted one of my favorite artists out in this manner has made them near irredeemable in my eyes
Scarletmenace
2021-02-03 05:32:23 +0000 UTCOh that is some bull from nintendo. Sure it's their intellect property, but still.
Billy Rouse
2021-02-03 03:12:29 +0000 UTCHolup, cant you just not post here on Patreon and like just post the art on discord or somthing and unlock via discord tiers? Eskoz had a similer situation who does GTS art and they dont upload sh** on patreon and it just unlocks channels to discord channels
Kuja48
2021-02-03 01:01:55 +0000 UTCFor years I've thought of you as one of my favorite Pokemon artists of all time, or at least of my adult years, and I've been into Pokemon since it hit the States, so that's saying something. This comes as a blow, but stand firm. Our shoulders are at your back.
Evertide 05
2021-02-03 00:02:31 +0000 UTCThat is so damn sad! I have loved your art forever and I'm so sad to see the pokemon aspect go... you mentioned maybe still doing it outside of patreon for commissions and that's probably best.... kinda in awe of the people telling you to just move it to discord or something because if you get caught again, not like they're gonna pay for lawyers from a lawsuit! You have to protect yourself and I am so sad to see your works go for pokemon art, but look forward to more art from you in the future of other varieties! Maybe see more sketch commissions and I can nab one this time since I got into issues last time a couple years ago before I could. But yes, best of luck and I will give you my continued support!
Namelessimp
2021-02-02 20:44:11 +0000 UTCI know quite a few other patreon creators have taken to posting potential copyrighted work to a discord channel restricted to patrons. Patreon even has integrations with discord to automate this process. I know this is a difficult time for you, but that could be a stop gap measure for the time being until you find something more permanent. Regardless of what you choose, I am sorry you have to go through this and wish you the best!
Marusaki
2021-02-02 20:43:45 +0000 UTCWhy cant you just continue the comic via inkbunny? Is the DMCA so all encompassing that you really cant draw pokemon at all for anything...? I've followed you for over a decade for your pokemon content. If thats taken away I don't know what to do tbh. You're the best there was...
HeshieokFasla
2021-02-02 20:36:31 +0000 UTCAre you still gonna keep your patreon up? I'd still love to support you. :)
Snowy
2021-02-02 20:31:31 +0000 UTCI really hope one day there's any possibility of seeing Haven continue, even if under the shadows at least this sucks so much, but well, looking forward to what the future awaits then
Gum-k
2021-02-02 20:20:01 +0000 UTCI hope we will still be able to support you ;w;<3 I really love your work and you are one of those who inspire me to keep doing what I do. I also got content down of Patreon a while ago and i know the shock... it hurt me a lot despite i didnt really have much content yet, but completely broke a cool project i was doing... so i can feel you ;w;/ i send you strength and really, i wish you the best <3 i'll stay to support as much as i can
Cachomon
2021-02-02 19:41:43 +0000 UTCDo you think you'll be able to use some of your pokemon ideas with those cute original feral characters you'd been working on? Because while you can't draw pokemon on Patreon anymore, your style is still fantastic and unique, and more than anyone else you have the opportunity to make something amazing and original. Maybe even something in the theme of Haven, but with those original characters?
NimbleLatios
2021-02-02 18:58:46 +0000 UTCMan, im going to miss your Pikachu.
Cira
2021-02-02 18:40:45 +0000 UTCI share many of the same feelings many have expressed already. Sorry this happened but I was more or less expecting it after so many others had been given a DMCA. I will keep supporting you throught your journey into original characters/worlds. That being said there are other IP's not own by nintendo with cute critters that I've been wondering how they would look drawn by you. Will you be staying away from all non original IP's or are suggestions for these possible in the future?
Zw
2021-02-02 18:34:29 +0000 UTCI'm trying hard to see the positive like you do. I feel like it's the end of something powerful and beautiful, and, well... in all honesty, I saw Pokemon as being one of the defining points of your work as an artist and a true fan of the franchise. However, for now, and it will probably stay that way, we have no surefire way to work around this issue. It truly saddens me, but I have to face reality like you do. I already looked up to you before, as a dedicated artist and overall, a nice and wise person. But now I'm really impressed by how you see the bright side just a single day after getting such tragic news. You're an inspiration, both as an artist, and as a person!
Loki
2021-02-02 18:29:39 +0000 UTCIs there any chance we can donate to you to finish in progress comics off-site? Or do a public 'comic pool' like some other artists I've seen do? Where X amount of money equals progress on a new page?
Chobin
2021-02-02 18:03:37 +0000 UTCF in the chat for the yellow rat who we'll never see get his well-deserved slurp. I wish you would consider moving content to discord, it wouldn't guarantee this wouldn't happen again but might keep you out of Nintendo's eye. Nevertheless, I'm excited to see what you do next.
Will Feral
2021-02-02 18:01:42 +0000 UTCThis is a heart-breaking turnout. I have enjoyed your Pokemon work immensely and was thrilled to support it on Patreon. And then that turned into such a fantastic window to get to know you, and to see the bounty of fantastic ideas you have. I'm absolutely sticking around to keep supporting your ideas, both here and elsewhere. I can't wait to see how these new ideas turn out!
wugfish
2021-02-02 18:01:19 +0000 UTCThis is of course a huge bummer, but I'm glad that you're using it as an opportunity to focus on more original character work. I'll still be here supporting you!
Somnius
2021-02-02 17:44:09 +0000 UTCThis is the best time for you; now you have an open ceiling of work and all you can do is go up from there.
SPNovacaine
2021-02-02 17:42:41 +0000 UTCMan that's certainly a heavy blow...Hopefully you can hit it off with a new stride and focus
TwistedAlly
2021-02-02 17:37:05 +0000 UTCI Tried Reaching You On Furaffinity!! Also How Else Does This Affect Us? Maybe you can try Using Kofi?
Saki Tigoimori
2021-02-02 17:18:21 +0000 UTCNot quite. He’s not allowed to draw Pokémon comics on Patreon, because of copyright BS. Nobody can stop him from drawing things for free, not even Nintendo. But, uh, “Free” doesn’t exactly pay the bills, and any suggestion that the work is directly supported in any way by Patreon Money is basically admission of copyright violation.
Commander672
2021-02-02 16:37:42 +0000 UTCRegardless of what happens you're a chill dude that makes good stuff so im here to stay. 💎🤲
Unshao
2021-02-02 16:27:39 +0000 UTCSonofa-- damn. Here I was holding out hope that it was another person spoofing Nintendo again. I know that Kuroodod and Sifyro have also had to deal with similar issues, you could possibly reach out to them? Here's hoping things can keep on going and that we find a way forward with everything.
Artemis
2021-02-02 16:11:56 +0000 UTCNIntendo just keep pissing me off more and more. I was REALLY looking forward to more lapras pikachu stuff... gonna strangle bowser with my bare hands
PonE-Sharp
2021-02-02 16:10:17 +0000 UTCThat really sucks. I am saddened that your Haven comic has to come to an end but what can you do. Regardless, I will still be supporting you here. I'm wondering though... Does this mean you will be focusing on these characters more? https://www.patreon.com/posts/45662116 This might be a good alternative since they are your creation and it still has that similar design feel without stepping into any IP. I would like to see more of them but overall, it's your decision.
Zeusie92
2021-02-02 16:05:56 +0000 UTCIt's sad. But im excited to see what original projects and characters you make
Mizun
2021-02-02 16:03:35 +0000 UTCehh i only wish for current heaven chapter to be completed as some kind of farawell but what can we do.
Suirodnemsa
2021-02-02 15:52:21 +0000 UTCThat really sucks, especially knowing your work is sufficiently transformative, but I really understand not having the time and money to fight this; I think you're making the correct decision, even if it's not the desired one. I'm looking forward to seeing the world you're building, and in the meantime maybe it's time to revisit Caramel for a bit. Really glad to see you moving forward instead of getting trapped by this <3
Nonfinite
2021-02-02 15:52:14 +0000 UTCSorry you have to go through this, but honestly it's not the end of the world. I've been a fan since the early days where I found your work on Hentai Foundry of all places, and I'm here to support you as a creator, not just your content. There are still ways to continue doing what you love to do (posting anything Nintendo related on a discord server and setting up Patreon rewards for example, to keep it entirely off-site), but if that's not your wheelhouse, then that's that. Most of the content you work on is posted publicly at more or less the same time as the Patreon page, and I've never had a problem with that. I'm not here to gain early access, and I've never voted in a poll, I'm just here to give a little bit of support. So, whatever you decide to do, Don't worry about it.
Jam
2021-02-02 15:51:22 +0000 UTCWhere you go, we will follow. I'm sad to see the pokemon go, but im still happy you aren't giving up! Best of luck to you dude!
Sausage
2021-02-02 15:45:16 +0000 UTCSad to see the Pokemon related stuff go but happy to see you've got other stuff lined up already! Gladly will be following your artwork wherever it goes!!
CodeSpirit
2021-02-02 15:44:42 +0000 UTCSo basically you're not allowed to draw any pokemon ever again? No matter what site you're using and whether it's free content or not?
Paliken
2021-02-02 15:41:52 +0000 UTCThat is so disappointing to hear. You literally are Pokémon art and comics and I so love that. I can’t say I really agree with your decision but it’s yours to make not mine. I feel like you could change your Patreon content and just have a separate place for Pokémon even if there’s less of it than before. I know other creators have managed to do it this way once Nintendo targets there patreon
Ferret
2021-02-02 15:41:41 +0000 UTCIt's really such a shame, it really is. It is at least nice to see that you are trying to take it as an opportunity to evolve past Nintendo related content tho it will be sorely missed, from me and just about everyone else. I have mixed feelings about the change but I still am more than happy to continue supporting you bud ^^
Nividust
2021-02-02 15:40:58 +0000 UTCIt's amazing to hear that you already have a new project idea after a blow this bad! I'll fully support you in whatever you make. :3
Milachu
2021-02-02 15:40:10 +0000 UTCHad a feeling something like this may come up sooner or later, hoped it would not. A real shame, you did great with such characters thus far. Do what you need to do, I look forward to your work despite it all! Do take care.
Rider
2021-02-02 15:39:28 +0000 UTCThis make be difficult to think of art ideas since we couldn't use any Nintendo related but I'm sure we will find new route to could be at least something! Still saddens me to see this.
Sal Villalobos
2021-02-02 15:38:17 +0000 UTCwouldn't you be able to put the haven elsewhere, like just putting it open on twitter early?
Nikki Smith
2021-02-02 15:34:56 +0000 UTCholy fuck, I'm so so sorry,,,,
Nikki Smith
2021-02-02 15:33:22 +0000 UTCHow Sad; I’ll miss your work So much
DontTouchMy
2021-02-02 15:32:23 +0000 UTC
