Advice: Fanart

[purpule.livejournal.com]

A question/advice query for you all
I'm sure this is an age-old argument, but I'd like to bring it up again because I always appreciate advice and information on what I do.

The topic being Selling Fanart.

People do it all the time, at conventions, online - they draw characters from computer games and shows, often in their own style, and sell them on for money.


Now, my question is, is this practise legal?
In my own set of commission rules, I say that I cannot draw copyrighted characters (though, that should probably be "trademarked characters"), but truth be told I would actually love to sometimes.

Is it a question of legality, or is it one of ethics?

Comments

[ljmydayaway.livejournal.com]

Sunrise (Japanese copyright holders for Cowboy Bebop, etc.) was exactly that way about any and all Cowboy Bebop fan sites in the early internet days, too.

There were only maybe 3 fan sites back in the late 90's with images on it, because Sunrise kept threatening litigation, despite being in Japan. xD

Thankfully, they seem to have let up a bit since then!