FA+
Shop
Nothing lasts forever.
3 years ago
So I have been thinking recently, my sona, Vox... I like Rikkors a lot. They appeal to me because they are approachable and cute but there are a few things I have been pondering.... VRChat... it won't last forever.
Rikkors were created by Gennyuu-doushi a few years ago as a pet project of hers and she quickly went on to make new avatars all having the same unique aesthetic. They are very recognizable to the point where I often get mistaken for other species shes created. But this is the thing, they are bound to VRChat and the ToS of the avatar.
As some of you may know, there are two (maybe three) maybe contentious terms in the ToS you are asked to adhere too when using a rikkor. The biggest one is the 10% fee on any commercial use which also includes paying another person to make art of the character.
It's a tricky one, because on one hand, the vast majority of avatar makers also prohibit commercial use and yes, technically speaking if a person is earning a living via artwork and you pay them for it, in a court of law, it could still be seen as such HOWEVER.... nintendo.... hasbro... basically any company that has a franchise that has inspired characters from their IP which has gone on to be commissioned as an OC also falls under this. There has been cases where companies have gone after business owners for merely displaying artwork in their offices. I came across a case where a successful car dealership had a lawyer approach them demanding they take down artwork of ferraris they had in their lobby.
I know nintendo have come down hard on people using their IP in some circumstances, such as game tournaments but have they ever gone after furry artists? Not really. Some artists have however made sure to change the name and design of their creation ever so slightly to make it less likely the likes of Nintendo wont go after a pokemon themed character. I am also aware Japan has basically no concept of fair use.
The thing is in 99% of cases they do NOT go after artists and the reason why is because they would annihilate their fan base VERY quickly, so they turn a blind eye. It also provides them what is essentially free advertisement. I was hoping this would be the case with this avatar but it isn't, but I am mixing two points here.
I think the 10% fee is a very negative thing overall because I have had several friends just... abandon the rikkor after putting in a lot of work and getting their own art made only to find out they owe someone money which has been extremely disheartening. It's a very odd rule too considering other similar avatars such as these dont do it:-
https://kuronya.booth.pm/items/4366283
https://booth.pm/en/items/4375124
https://booth.pm/en/items/3562180
https://booth.pm/en/items/3559375
In fact I think no avatars do this at all. This is wholly unique to rikkors.
I have picked avatars you would typically see that would fall into "short stack" kemono avatars which I would consider rikkors fall into. If you go to any Japanese rikkor social gatherings you would often see these running around too. None of them have a license that incurs a fee. Infact the first one in that list even says commercial use is okay. The rest either say contact first or so long as the commercial use is personal even if it incurs a fee that's also fine, which I think is much more fair.
tldr, I don't like the 10% fee. I feel its very misplaced. I understand WHY it's there but I have witnessed it driving people away from the avatar which is a damn shame because rikkors are very cute and have a nice design.
The second bit is the fact they cannot be used for NSFW purposes. I don't really think rikkors are particularly hot... I mean they are very bottom heavy, but most short kemono style avatars are. I don't have any desire to have NSFW art of them made however if that should change I wouldn't be able to post it publicly.
There are two things on this, porn is technically illegal in Japan hence why they have those silly censors that cover up a tiny bit of anatomy. Most avatar makers also rule this out in Japan, secondly I also get why you wouldn't want to do this from a personal stance. If you make a character which is quite personal and you suddenly see it being sexualized and then loads of porn gets drawn of it, that would feel very slimey. I totally understand that.
The other thing is... you can't really stop it. Rikkor porn exists, but its kept private by those who had it made, or its just very suggestive. I also know it's been used in VRChat in sexual ways via modifications but those that have used it in such a way keep it quiet.
Fun fact, did you know that when animators and designers are brought into Disney, they are shown porn of their IP? Under the guise of "This is almost certainly likely that porn of whatever we design will be created. You need to expect this" in order to get rid of some of the shock.
Furries are horny. It can't be stopped and its unrealistic to think otherwise.
So yeah.... that about sums up my thought on this.
Gennyuu, I respect your work, you have done a lot of things for the furry community but I think next year I will go my own way. I will keep using the rikkor avatar, but will start looking into making something new where I am not as restricted. I understand why those restrictions exist but as some has said before "If you don't like it, leave it" and now I am choosing to do that.
My Rikkor character will still exist and I am sure ill keep getting artwork of him for a while but I need to transition to something more... me.
I'm still staying kemono, short, thick thighs and a bushy tail however XD
Rikkors were created by Gennyuu-doushi a few years ago as a pet project of hers and she quickly went on to make new avatars all having the same unique aesthetic. They are very recognizable to the point where I often get mistaken for other species shes created. But this is the thing, they are bound to VRChat and the ToS of the avatar.
As some of you may know, there are two (maybe three) maybe contentious terms in the ToS you are asked to adhere too when using a rikkor. The biggest one is the 10% fee on any commercial use which also includes paying another person to make art of the character.
It's a tricky one, because on one hand, the vast majority of avatar makers also prohibit commercial use and yes, technically speaking if a person is earning a living via artwork and you pay them for it, in a court of law, it could still be seen as such HOWEVER.... nintendo.... hasbro... basically any company that has a franchise that has inspired characters from their IP which has gone on to be commissioned as an OC also falls under this. There has been cases where companies have gone after business owners for merely displaying artwork in their offices. I came across a case where a successful car dealership had a lawyer approach them demanding they take down artwork of ferraris they had in their lobby.
I know nintendo have come down hard on people using their IP in some circumstances, such as game tournaments but have they ever gone after furry artists? Not really. Some artists have however made sure to change the name and design of their creation ever so slightly to make it less likely the likes of Nintendo wont go after a pokemon themed character. I am also aware Japan has basically no concept of fair use.
The thing is in 99% of cases they do NOT go after artists and the reason why is because they would annihilate their fan base VERY quickly, so they turn a blind eye. It also provides them what is essentially free advertisement. I was hoping this would be the case with this avatar but it isn't, but I am mixing two points here.
I think the 10% fee is a very negative thing overall because I have had several friends just... abandon the rikkor after putting in a lot of work and getting their own art made only to find out they owe someone money which has been extremely disheartening. It's a very odd rule too considering other similar avatars such as these dont do it:-
https://kuronya.booth.pm/items/4366283
https://booth.pm/en/items/4375124
https://booth.pm/en/items/3562180
https://booth.pm/en/items/3559375
In fact I think no avatars do this at all. This is wholly unique to rikkors.
I have picked avatars you would typically see that would fall into "short stack" kemono avatars which I would consider rikkors fall into. If you go to any Japanese rikkor social gatherings you would often see these running around too. None of them have a license that incurs a fee. Infact the first one in that list even says commercial use is okay. The rest either say contact first or so long as the commercial use is personal even if it incurs a fee that's also fine, which I think is much more fair.
tldr, I don't like the 10% fee. I feel its very misplaced. I understand WHY it's there but I have witnessed it driving people away from the avatar which is a damn shame because rikkors are very cute and have a nice design.
The second bit is the fact they cannot be used for NSFW purposes. I don't really think rikkors are particularly hot... I mean they are very bottom heavy, but most short kemono style avatars are. I don't have any desire to have NSFW art of them made however if that should change I wouldn't be able to post it publicly.
There are two things on this, porn is technically illegal in Japan hence why they have those silly censors that cover up a tiny bit of anatomy. Most avatar makers also rule this out in Japan, secondly I also get why you wouldn't want to do this from a personal stance. If you make a character which is quite personal and you suddenly see it being sexualized and then loads of porn gets drawn of it, that would feel very slimey. I totally understand that.
The other thing is... you can't really stop it. Rikkor porn exists, but its kept private by those who had it made, or its just very suggestive. I also know it's been used in VRChat in sexual ways via modifications but those that have used it in such a way keep it quiet.
Fun fact, did you know that when animators and designers are brought into Disney, they are shown porn of their IP? Under the guise of "This is almost certainly likely that porn of whatever we design will be created. You need to expect this" in order to get rid of some of the shock.
Furries are horny. It can't be stopped and its unrealistic to think otherwise.
So yeah.... that about sums up my thought on this.
Gennyuu, I respect your work, you have done a lot of things for the furry community but I think next year I will go my own way. I will keep using the rikkor avatar, but will start looking into making something new where I am not as restricted. I understand why those restrictions exist but as some has said before "If you don't like it, leave it" and now I am choosing to do that.
My Rikkor character will still exist and I am sure ill keep getting artwork of him for a while but I need to transition to something more... me.
I'm still staying kemono, short, thick thighs and a bushy tail however XD
Speaking on IP's I have been doing my own whole IP simply so I have that creative ability, no restrictions, although this has it's own problems.
I do hope all is ok though *hugs* I enjoy your company whenever I meet you online, remember I am always available on my socials.