Questions about selling and ethics

[DuckyBelkins]

So I need a little bit of money. I'm supported fully by my parents (which is very very fortunate) because I'm going to school full time but because of some issues I have I can't get a job on top of going to school. One of the few things I *can* do is cross-stitch constantly.

I was thinking of making some magnets based off of the sprite patterns from spriter's resource of the more popular video games, Mario, Pokemon, etc and selling them at a local craft festival that only happens once a year.

I know I probably won't get into trouble for doing it since it's a local thing (unlike on Etsy) but does that make it okay? Like, really okay? Or am I being kind of slimy?

I've already done the math and I know I can make a profit (as long as I don't value my own time hah). Any thoughts? :/

[tnitnetny]

Are you making the patterns off of sprites that exist there, or are the patterns supplied?

[SofaraStarfyre]

I would think that as long as you're not just taking patterns that someone else is selling and using them to make items to sell, then you should be ok.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

[DuckyBelkins]

Thanks

Tnitnetny: I make my own patterns based off of the sprites that are on there.

[kuja.girl]

Thanks :)
Tnitnetny: I make my own patterns based off of the sprites that are on there.

Then I believe you are firmly in the grey area. Selling the pattern is what's the most questionable I believe...
I personally don't care if people sell completed pieces made from my (free) patterns. Just don't try to sell the patterns, pass it off as your own work, or be a turd about it.

[DuckyBelkins]

Thanks
Tnitnetny: I make my own patterns based off of the sprites that are on there.

Then I believe you are firmly in the grey area. Selling the pattern is what's the most questionable I believe...
I personally don't care if people sell completed pieces made from my (free) patterns. Just don't try to sell the patterns, pass it off as your own work, or be a turd about it.

Okay! Thanks

[tnitnetny]

Exactly what Kuja said. If you are selling a completed project made from a pattern you made from a sprite, you are good.

If you make the pattern and sell it based off of someone else's sprite without their permission, you are a turd. If you make and sell completed projects from someone else's pattern without their permission, you are a turd.

I like that suplication of turd for what I would normally say.

[Lileya]

Well, its not like the sprites on those websites are the property of the people that ripped them from the games and posted them on their website... They are the property of the makers of the games: Nintendo, Square, Capcom, etc. It's already "stolen" property... o_O (which, BTW, I have no problem with... I'm just trying to prove a point!)

What's the difference between using a sprite from a website and taking a screenshot of the same sprite with an emulator? Who's gonna tell the difference really?

Like I said anyway: those sprites aren't the property of the website owner in the first place. We were already in a grey area... Technically, the website owner IS doing something illegal! Not that anybody from Nintendo or Capcom will seriously consider sueing them, but they would have the legal right to force the owner to remove their property from their website.

[kuja.girl]

I like that suplication of turd for what I would normally say. :D

One of my other posts was censored the other day so I decided turd was a good replacement ;)

I am actually of the opinion that if a pattern is free then anyone should be able to sell crafts made off them (not the pattern) - because they made it, spent time on it, and bought the materials.

Paid patterns on the other hand are usually personal use only. That's where the turd part comes in!

[tnitnetny]

Well, its not like the sprites on those websites are the property of the people that ripped them from the games and posted them on their website... They are the property of the makers of the games: Nintendo, Square, Capcom, etc. It's already "stolen" property... o_O (which, BTW, I have no problem with... I'm just trying to prove a point!)

What's the difference between using a sprite from a website and taking a screenshot of the same sprite with an emulator? Who's gonna tell the difference really?

Like I said anyway: those sprites aren't the property of the website owner in the first place. We were already in a grey area... Technically, the website owner IS doing something illegal! Not that anybody from Nintendo or Capcom will seriously consider sueing them, but they would have the legal right to force the owner to remove their property from their website.

Sprites are a general term. What you are talking about are sprites specifically pulled from a game and no changes made. Yes, use those as much as you want. But there are also sprites like this: http://mr-skateboarder.deviantart.com/gallery/31957181. That kid is amazing. Even though he put in a post that his sprite's are free for use, I still asked his permission to use them for my quilts. Those you should ask before using or you are a turd.