I REALLY need advice from builders

Now that I have calmed down, I could really use some input/advice from any builders out there.

Here is my situation:

I recently decided to try making my first prim-based avatar. It is based on a character from a "classic" TV show. Having completed 98% of it, I decided to take it out for a "test drive." Everything works great. It looks and acts the way I want it to.

My problem is that about 5 minutes ago, I discovered that someone has already made a version of this same avvie.

Would it be ethical for me to go ahead and sell my avvie anyway? My version is similar, but they are clearly different from each other. Mine is more detailed and has more functionality to it (in my opinion). It also uses completely different textures. Although they are obviously the same character, nobody would mistake the two versions for each other.

At the same time, I don't want to anger the other avvie builder, or be accused of stealing his work.

What is the right thing to do? I've spent weeks working on this project. Should I abandon it or go ahead and sell it?

I'd sure appreciate any input. Thanks.

On behalf of the whole community, thanks for being conscientious enough to ask. I wouldn't worry about it though. Lots of people do replica character avatars, and at this point in SL's history, it would be hard to think of a single well known character that hasn't been done before at one time or another. Your fanart is your own interpretation; the other guy's is his. The two really have nothing to do with eachother.

if it looks different, and is obviously not copied or stolen, I'd say go for it.

Having said that, I'd advise some respect for this person, i.e. don't put up your vendor right next to theirs.

Basically, don't compete, y'know?

Be competitors if you must, but don't actively compete.

It's based on a character from a classic TV show? Then neither of you has enough rights to stop the other.

As long as you didn't steal the creation from the other guy, go ahead and sell.

My concern is not your competition, but the fact that it's based on someone else's creation (i.e. the TV show).

"My concern is not your competition, but the fact that it's based on someone else's creation (i.e. the TV show)."

This interests me as well. I have a pretty large line of avatars ready to go that are based on a popular cartoon featuring a certain robot with an in-your-face-attitude, who lives in the year 3000. Anywho, I was told by a Linden that I could sell them but I would need to change their appearance slightly, like put a hat on them or glasses or whatever and of course change the name.

I wonder how different should the avatar really be? This is probably obvious to some but I'd like to hear some opinions.

i make avatars of anime and cartoon characters, they are fan art and most are 3D not 2D
so they are very diffrent from i.e. the TV show.
I also was requested by a linden to create one.
-LW

Thanks to all for your responses. I am going ahead with the avvie.

Regarding the other issue, I was careful not to make an "exact" duplicate.

Walk into any RL costume shop and you'll see a hundred rip-offs of famous characters, some good, plenty terrible.

It's not clear-cut 'right' because other people do it, but then neither is serious cosplay or dressing as Superman on Halloween. I don't have a problem with it - I think these companies have more problems with the larger enterprises selling their ideas. Admittedly, that doesn't make it right for the small-scale business to do it, but still - I don't know, it's a hard one. I think someone once brought up that there's a recognised difference between trying to imitate for a profit, and 'fan art'... Don't know the real rules though.

I'd go with 'it's not right but it's hardly going to bankrupt them' ;D

SLender

"SLender"

Lol, good one, I had thought of that actually. I think based on what I've read here it's time for me to get some box art whipped up and a sales plan. Thanks for starting this thread Laurie.