This is a post I've been meaning to make for a long time, but finally sat down and wrote. I don’t expect it to get much reach, but if at least one person is able to see and take advantage of it then it will be worth it.

I mean this in the kindest way possible, but I often see a lot of other furries get bent out of shape when they see other people use their sonas and OCs. There are legitimate cases, like when someone is impersonating someone else or outright claims ownership of a character, but usually it comes down to using a character for roleplay or even creating fanart of that character. That second one might be hard to believe, what furry could say no to free art, but I have seen it happen.

I can understand the attachment that comes with creating and developing OCs, especially fursonas which are heavily based on the creator’s life and actual person. It’s easy to picture losing control over a character’s background, personality, appearance, etc. But I believe that this is largely an issue of credit and IP, and while I’m very ideologically opposed to the latter, I think we can still have the former.

To use an example, I have a background in computer science. CS is huge on the idea of open source, freely providing useful code and programs for people to use and modify as they see fit, while still crediting the programmer. It’s impossible to not use open source code in some capacity. Even paid proprietary programs like Windows use bits of open source code, providing credit where it’s due. Writing a program, creating a website, developing a video game, etc. are all just as much a creative processes as any piece of art. And that’s why, despite my other reservations with AI art, I can’t help but point out how different the CS community’s response to AI code is. The idea of open source is so ingrained that it’s not seen as a threat to their livelihood the same way AI art is.

This post isn’t about AI art, and I’m not saying artists, writers, musicians, coders, etc. shouldn’t be compensated for their work. It’s just an example of how different the thought process is, and how that same energy could be applied here to OCs. And that’s why I want to put my money where my mouth is. All of my characters, my snow leopards Leo and Donna, my bunnies Lee and Kaede, and any other characters I make in the future are all free for people to use in art, stories, games, and any other creative works. And yes, this includes roleplay. Just as with open source software, all I ask is that credit is given where it’s due. As a totally optional second condition, I would also really like to see people ask questions about them, learning about what makes them tick before using them. However, I’m also really interested in seeing how others bring their own spin and ideas to my characters, so don’t be afraid to bring new stuff to the table!

This is ultimately my goal for doing this, I want to see a fandom where people develop existing characters together, and that these characters grow and evolve in new and exciting ways. That’s why I strongly encourage others to do the same. So join me in embracing open source in the fandom. Use my characters, build upon them, and let's see where our imagination takes us!