Hi,

I noticed that a lot of the images here contain characters from major games or TV shows. I'm really curious how these images have managed to avoid copyright laws like DCMA, considering that these types of images would probably be the last thing the company that holds the copyright wants to exist. Personally, I would expect a ton of takedown requests over this type of content.
So I'm wondering why this does not seem to be happening. Does e621 have some sort of protection against copyright laws? Or is this just pure luck?
Also, what percent of e621 posts do get takedown requests due to copyright laws?

Fan art is actually encouraged by most big companies, as it is basically like free marketing for them and it increases fan engagement with their franchise/shows. Even if they'll never publicly endorse the adult artwork, it still plays a big part in their "grand scheme" of things. There's a reason why some characters were made with sex appeal as their primary trait. It's a marketing tactic.

As for e6 itself, companies can file a DMCA to remove it at any time. But doing so can hurt their own business, more often than not. Fans want to express their enjoyment with franchises/shows (which includes fan art) and denying that will decrease fan engagement, which is fundamental for any business.

To date, only one major company issued a takedown as well as a DNP for their character. You can read it here - takedown #5246.

As for other major games and TV companies, they typically have some leeway or tolerance for fanart containing their characters because it can be beneficial for them. Most fanart done can generate more interest and popularity for the series, thus bringing them more profit.

Companies can still choose to submit DMCA takedowns but it will be a very big time-consuming and resource-wasting process as there are many other sites (including e621) that hosts content of their characters and many more artists that draw and share their fanarts everywhere.
The most important factor in companies issuing DMCA is when the site is using their copyright for profit (i.e., making money from their characters/fanarts), the most "aggressive" company that defends their copyright is Nintendo & The Pokémon Company. Read more here - topic #28100.

Ok, thank you both for clarifying!

When it comes to Rule 34, I feel that most companies nowadays are aware of the Streisand Effect - the harder they try to get rid of something, the more people become aware of its existence. If they start issuing takedowns it can draw attention, and the last thing they want is a news article about porn of their characters. I very much doubt that the creators of shows like Paw Patrol and Bluey are happy about a lot of the fanart that gets posted here, but as long as it stays in its own little corners of the internet, they can pretend it doesn't exist.

thegreatwolfgang said:
To date, only one major company issued a takedown as well as a DNP for their character. You can read it here - takedown #5246.

As for other major games and TV companies, they typically have some leeway or tolerance for fanart containing their characters because it can be beneficial for them. Most fanart done can generate more interest and popularity for the series, thus bringing them more profit.

Companies can still choose to submit DMCA takedowns but it will be a very big time-consuming and resource-wasting process as there are many other sites (including e621) that hosts content of their characters and many more artists that draw and share their fanarts everywhere.
The most important factor in companies issuing DMCA is when the site is using their copyright for profit (i.e., making money from their characters/fanarts), the most "aggressive" company that defends their copyright is Nintendo & The Pokémon Company. Read more here - topic #28100.

I feel bad for the lawyers that had to look at all that Paddington porn

pyke said:
I feel bad for the lawyers that had to look at all that Paddington porn

Yea. Probably not what they were imagining they'd be doing when they became lawyers.

pyke said:
I feel bad for the lawyers that had to look at all that Paddington porn

I should probably feel bad, but also I'm giggling at the thought of a lawyer having to search and copy/paste this.

strikerman said:
I should probably feel bad, but also I'm giggling at the thought of a lawyer having to search and copy/paste this.

You can tell they weren't fully familiar with E621 though, or they'd know they didn't need anything after the number.

furrin_gok said:
You can tell they weren't fully familiar with E621 though, or they'd know they didn't need anything after the number.

It'd be pretty funny if they were obviously familiar with the site.