Copyright for Animation

Submitted Questions:

How do you tell if something is too derivative, or original enough?

How legal is the selling of fan-art at conventions/online? Could legal repercussions be made?

One Answer:

In order to decide whether something is too derivative, ask these questions:

• How much of the original was used? A lot or a little?
• How much has changed from the original? Could the new thing be mistaken for the original? Test it out with a friend or colleague. 
• Is the meaning of the new thing the same as the original? Does it have the same purpose (e.g. to entertain)?

Discuss with mentors, classmates and colleagues - get a fresh set of eyes, preferably with some knowledge of the industry.

Fan art is not legal. Check out this blog for more info: https://chrisoatley.com/fan-art/