Furry or Anime artists... Your freedoms of expression in danger?

[Masozi]

This "interesting"  development was brought to my attention by Chris Sawyer and I'm passing it along to all of you here. The USA's "Protect Act" could very well be the instrument that could put any artist who draws adult material in jeopardy.  Is this the beginning of the end of freedom of expression for artists who draw anime or furry? Have a look at the article below and see what you think... to me its outrageous.

( I will probably have to make small alterations to the commission that I am working on. Not to mention any future artwork, to be sure that no references that infer underage characters remain that could get me in trouble with the law in the future. )

This is something you should read  -  http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/05/manga-porn/ 

[Kell]

Well, its a whole lotta bullshit, but I wouldn't get too worried just yet.

First of all, Canada has a long history of being less... over the top with such things, our laws tend to be more accepting of such things... to a point.

Also, from what I have seen here and there on the net... the shitstorm this is starting could easily end up consolidating that fact that such things are NOT illegal, this case might end up protecting artists in the end.

*is glad he is a nature photographer and not a artist, just the same.*

[RainRat]

Might want to research http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_cartoon_pornography_depicting_minors#Canada

[dragonmanmike]

this is a very interesting case, and a interesting conundrum for the legal authorities.  Really to protect yourself from getting in trouble, just don't buy, or download anything that might be child porn or close to it just to be safe.  Just make sure to cover your ass, just in case

[Masozi]

I haven't as of yet drawn anything that depicts minors in a sexual situation. The latest commission I took did have young characters in them but to be safe I have been changing any of the dialogue and indicators that might make them look like they are underage. Anytime that this kind of story and prosecutions surface it makes one wonder whats going on, are there thought police cruising sites like FA keeping tabs on who is doing what? That said I am wondering what else this guy who got in trouble with his manga collection had on his shelves. Authorities usually don't go after someone for just comic books unless there is other stuff in his collection that is really nasty.  My guess is that the media didn't include all of the facts in the case as usual and it is those missing details that can be a causer of mischief during interpretation. 

[Silvermink]

The Protect Act's provisions are beyond ridiculous. Something's either illegal or it's not. Who decides whether something has "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value"?

I am again glad that I live where I do.

[Kell]

It is a truly stupid law... giving sweeping authority to a judge to decide what is or is not illegal based on his personal viewpoint...

You can't know if what you are doing is illegal or not.

That, and it in no way protects anyone... Last time I checked, grade school kids were not aware of the fact that some manga involves lewd pictures of them, and it sure as  hell isn't hurting them... its a law on morals, and I'm getting bloody tired of those.

[Silvermink]

Moral panic goooo!

[Temrin]

-sigh- its really stupid. I mean sure. if the picture sais THIS CHILD IS UNDER AGE AND HAVING SEX OMG. then kay, theres proof. But in REAL LIFE there are circumstances where people may view the scene as one being underage when their not. I look at myself for example, People think i am underage. and it doesnt help that my BF is like a foot and a half taller then me and makes me look 12 years old. But i am NOT underage. im actually OLDER then m bf. Peoples perspectives take me as underage when i can legaly show many ID's that say my birthday and such. Its the same with artwork. I KNOW some manga artist draw in chibi styles, they look underage just because of the way that person draws. People could depict a scene with someone of my size against someone much bigger/taller then them and it'll look like child porn. Just because someone in the world find it offensive because they think its child porn, that shouldnt matter. It should matter on the story from the manga artist, the author of the story. I mean seriously, is a lot of fantasy stories ive read, children have been raped, murdered, etc. But these books arent banned? Under The canadian law that was posted above in this thread, it says that Books containing such materil are you be banned as well. If i read that correctly. Canada will not allow such a thing. Children DO get raped and abused. Every person in the world can get raped an abused. I understand that getting rid of material with such horrible images and stories in it can be a good thing, but it is REAL. Its like trying to hide behind a cover and say NO it never happens in canada!~!@#$

-rolls eyes and facepalms-

People will draw what they want.  I dont support child pornography, nor do i fancy any form of it, including cub porn int he furry fandom. But it will be drawn. AT LEAST THE PERSON ISNT RAPING A CHILD FOR REAL!@# -.-

[Merrick]

Okay, the law says no under-age depictions of sexual activity, BUT the characters can look under-age but actually be 18 or older. Take Lucky Star for example, Konata Izumi, by time the anime series ended, she was 18 but looked like an elementary school girl and finished high school, so hentai of her would be categorized as Lolicon by fans but still be legal here in Canada.

Then there is also the debate of "jail bait" where under-age people look like they are over 18. Yoko from Gurren Lagaan is under age, but you would swear she is 18, just look at her.

The only sure fire way to tell if one is under age in draw sexual activities would be to research the anime to find out the age of the characters. If it is personal artwork, then you would have to ask the artist.


From what I read in the articles, drawing hentai is still legal as long as it's not lolicon/shotacon. I would have to agree with that.

[lunar_prodigy]

The Protect Act's provisions are beyond ridiculous. Something's either illegal or it's not. Who decides whether something has "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value"?

I am again glad that I live where I do.

my thoughts exactly.

for the record i dont draw porn 99% the time.

i mean its the usa, they are crazy govt at times. sorry for all those that have to put up with it.
but the usa can not control the media or internet world wide, no mater how hard they try. they can hardly do it in their own countries. only when people start disappearing like in nazi germany " or quick brutal sentence court trials to sweep people away they deem undesirable when they have done nothing wrong. will i be concerned.  as for anime and henti, well the usa cant control japan or anything elese that is erotic or questionable, in other countries.

~Pictures bush bombing a country because they have too much porn and " thats just not right" .. as hed say it~ of course obama is less stupid

[Marfles]

for the record i dont draw porn 99% the time.

you should

[Annubrius]

I can agree and attest..

The fact that this man was charged for collecting a certain type of artistic literature, yet owns hundreds of other types is beyond me..

However- In my own personal opinion- am against anything that depicts minors in such acts.. as I was a victim of child sexual abuse- but not only that.. I do see juvenile porn as something that should be kept in closed doors or between you and others that have the same interest.. It's something I wish not to comment on.

Anyway- What this man is being charged for is pointless.. In terms of porn and nudity in general, What you do is your business.. I draw that all the time! XD .

-Fin.

[Some Guy]

lol i say no to that noise, its just a bunch of BS that always fails in courts and never passes, i draw Anime and i would still draw lol!