Artist beware, it has come to my attention that several months ago FA was quietly sold out to IMVU. They with held this information for several months after the sale was completed still even several months after the sale they only announced it by private journals so you had to go to  Fender journals to find out about it. Not very open or honest.
Now only IMVU can know what they intend to do with all the data and art they have purchased. But go read FA’s terms of service and terms of submission. Then compare that to many other sites. Most other sites directly grant copyright of the work to the artist where it rightfully belongs. Not FA the only discussion they have on it would actually read more that by submitting work you are turning copyrights over to FA. Since FA is now IMVU a multimillion dollar corporation. … Well you do the math!

OK, I keep seeing this over and over again. The little business being taken to the cleaners by big business because they don't know their rights. Folks, business is about money not feelings. Sure, the businesses run by honest folks try and do the right thing but as they grow that fades and there will always be businesses run by dishonest individuals.

Now I understand you are not all lawyers and there are many laws out their. But “Fair debt collection” laws and terms of service for any merchant or merchant gateways (Paypal, Google, Express check, etc) are critical reads. These are big businesses and they will not think twice about saddling you with the entire bill for any problem. As long as you do not point out how their own terms of service and or Fair Debt collection law prohibit saddling you with the bill they can play the “Oops, admin mistake” as a get out of jail free for their actions. But once you show them you know the law regarding the financial transaction they will either back you or just eat it as a cost of doing business.

And while I can't prove it one way or the other because I can't see the inner workings I think most of these companies keep track of which businesses they work with do know the law and will hold them to it. I have been treated very well by Paypal and Google checkout on all my digital goods transactions since holding their feet to the fire over 8 years ago. I seldom if ever loose a dispute anymore and all my goods are digital. Their is no magic collection of proof I've started gathering. I simply state digital goods and then provide the email from delivery and case is closed. With them telling the buyer sorry it was digital goods you are not protected. But the first time with Paypal and Google I lost the dispute and had to fight them. But since showing I know the law they ate the initial “debt” and I have had a perfect winning streak from then on as far as I can remember.

I am not endorsing fraud under the excuse of digital goods. If there is a problem with the goods I delivered I will readily accept the dispute and close it with a refund. But, when I have properly delivered what was promised I do not let the consumer charge it back afterwards.

Somethings been bugging me for a while and I guess public opinion is the only answer I'll get as I've searched the internet far and wide.

Is it OK to read shouts on other persons user page?
Is it OK to respond to conversations occurring over shouts that you were not initially a part of?

Before internet it tended to be easy to tell the difference between a conversation it was OK to jump into and one that was only meant for those already involved. Now days I see conversations over public shout boxes that seem a bit private and bring up the old lessons I was taught of "it is not polite to listen in on others conversations" but at the same time these shouts are occurring in such a public manner its hard not to at least see them so it generates the above two questions that I'd love public feedback on.

Hello all I know I don't write in this as often as I probably should just never been good at communicating.

I ha a blast at RMFC last weekend. Picking up several nice pieces of artwork so I guess now I'll have to start rotating the art on my walls or start crowding the walls. Enjoyed a couple instructional panels and picked up a few tips to improve my skills. I really enjoyed the dance comp and fur games and I'm making a public commit to join in both next year (provided work lets me go) so you friends can hold me to it I'll join in going out in front. I even already picked a song now I just have to start figuring out dance moves.

I had a wonderful roommate for the con. Mötley was all I could ask for in a roommate and I only hope to have similar roommates in the future.

To my out of town friends it was nice to get to see some of you even if only for a moment and I hope we get another chance in the future.