The Do's and Don'ts of Pixeling
(this page may be long, but well worth reading)

This page was created mainly for those that are new to pixeling. It will cover the basic do's and don'ts along with Copyright info.

The first thing that someone that is interested in pixeling should know about are copyrights and what they mean.

When you create an original (meaning you designed it from scratch) digital graphic in a graphics program and save it to your hard drive, that image is automatically copyrighted to you. You may share it with others, but you retain the ownership and copyright of that graphic. This is also true of graphics that you may save that others have created. You are being given permission to use it but the ownership and copyright is still retained by the original creator.

Claiming someone elses graphics as your own, copying/tracing someone elses graphics or cutting apart anothers graphics to make something else is called copyright infringment.

Copyright infringement is taken very serisouly by the pixeling community. Copyright is taken very seriously by others as well. Examples of graphics that should NOT be used as they are copyrighted by MAJOR companies. (these companies have been known to contact people using their graphics/images)

*Disney, Precious Moments, LooneyTunes and so on*

Using cartoon characters and whatnot is considered copyright infringement no matter where you get it from as these companies do not allow the public use of their images.

Other places that do not allow their images to be used/edited are....SayClub, NetMarble, Bugs and so on. These sites are mostly Korean sites and though TONS of people are using images from these sites.....permission is not given to use them in any way. *meaning DO NOT use graphics from these sites and add your name to make a sig*

These sites require you to be a member to use these graphics....so unless you can read the Korean language and are a member it's considered copyright infringement.

Now for the Do's and Don'ts

Don'ts
1. Do not claim someone elses graphics as your own.
2. Do not copy or trace someone elses graphics.
(if a graphic is supplied for a tutorial it's okay...but the original creator still owns the graphic)
3. Do not chop up someone elses graphics to make something else.
4. Do not use graphics that come from a site or company that does not allow them to be used. (this includes Disney, SayClub and so forth)


Do's

1. Always respect the terms of use for each graphics owner/site. (terms vary for each graphics maker and site)
2. Always give credit for graphics used.
3. Always email the creator if you have questions.

If you cannot provide a credit for a graphic then do not use it. If you got a graphic from someone that cannot provide credits for it...don't use it. If there is any doubt at all about a graphic...then don't use it until you can find credits for it.