Rules and Repercussions

RULES

1. Convention Badges
All artists who wish to sell in the alley (even if they're just sharing another person's space and didn't actually buy their own) MUST be registered with the convention.
It is not required that an artist needs to be pre-registered before buying their table in the online registration. It is required that the artist has their three-day convention badge at the convention. It is highly recommended that the artist does pre-reg BEFORE the convention to save time and money.

2. Check In:
Each artist from a group has to 'Check In' at our Artist Alley Info Desk (found just inside the entrance of the Alley) to pick up their Artist Alley Badges individually.

The first artist in a group to check in means your table is checked in. This means that at least one artist or assistant (if listed) from a group must have checked in by 11am Saturday Morning, or we will believe your space is empty and up for grabs for anyone wishing to purchase a space and may sell it out from under you. It is therefore up to you to make sure you've already checked in or previously made special arrangements with the Artist Alley Staff.

You will find Check in procedures and times in the FAQ.

3. Artist Alley Badge:
All artists or helpers (whether or not they are artists) must receive an Artist Alley Badge. There is no limit on badges. We prefer to know how many each space or group needs so that they can be ready pre-con, but we can make extras on the spot if need be.

The reason for the badge is so we can spot people who are stealing spaces. These are squatters who see an empty table and sit down without having paid for the space. If they don't have a badge, we can kick them out. This is why it is necessary for all artists and assistants to have badges. Also so we can spot any artists who have been put on the banned list.

4. Copyrights and Fanart:
Fanart is allowed, within reason.

• You are NOT allowed to copy, trace or in any way reproduce (either by hand or machine) an existing piece of art and sell it as your own.
• Fanart MUST be an original design that just happens to use your favorite characters.
• While there are laws about how much you can change a picture to make it your own, we are not qualified to judge if you've accomplished that task. Any picture that you've modified, be safe and don't bring. Use references as references ONLY and not as a base. If we can still recognize the original piece despite your modifications, we will ask you to take it off the table.
• Many artists practice by copying art from their favorite series or books. That's fine, just DON'T BRING IT or DON'T DISPLAY IT. Avoid problems and avoid complaints by just not bringing it. It will not be an issue if nobody sees it. If you still bring it, each one must be individually and CLEARLY MARKED as being NOT FOR SALE. If you are later found selling it, you will be found in violation of the rules.

5. Hynes Convention Center Prohibits

• The selling OR distribution of stickers
• The selling or raffling off of food of any kind (candy and drinks count).
  EXCEPTION: you may raffle off a gift certificate.
• Attaching anything in any way to the walls. This means no tape, tacks, nails, gummy tack, push pins - ANYTHING
• The use of any tape OTHER than Gaffers tape when securing wires to the floors.

• ADDITION: If you are a minor, we can't stop you from drawing Adult Material. However, you cannot sell or show it to other minors. Nor can you sell it or show it to adults. This is because of some legal concerns of adults interacting with minors despite the fact that the minors were responsible for the art.
  
• What constitutes Adult Material?
  Anything sexually explicit and Nudity
  
• Clarifications: A man without a shirt or a woman in a bikini is all right.
  Else wise, use your best judgment. Play it safe and keep anything questionable with the rest of the Adult material, and be prepared to put away anything we deem too much.

7. Merchandise
This is the list of what is allowed and what isn't allowed. Do not panic if you don't see something on the allowed list. If it's not on the "not allowed list" just email us and we'll let you know. You can sell just about anything you want at your table. The catch is that anything you sell must be your own work and your own designs.

For example: If you buy Hello Kitty products at a store, you cannot sell it at your table. If this is what you want to do, you belong in the Dealers Room! However, if you design a picture and send it out to be placed on a tee shirt, you can then sell your shirts.

What you can sell	What you cannot sell
CD's Books T-Shirts and other clothing Bags Bookmarks Prints Cards Games Costumes and Accessories Plushies Etched Glass Chain Mail Pins/Buttons Posters Face Painting	Stickers* Food* Store bought Merchandise Weapons: (Boffa mallets, Yaoi rackets, Tazers etc)** Flammable items (such as chemicals)

* Clarified in section #5
**We do not include those people making one of a kind objects specifically for costume designs.
We are basically talking about the mass production and selling of a type of item that some
con goers will inevitably abuse or any type of item that, potentially, is seriously harmful.

Radios are allowed at your table, but be considerate of your neighbor. Be prepared to turn your music down if it bothers people. If there have been numerous complaints, we may require you to shut it down.

REPERCUSSIONS

• 1st Offense: WARNING.
  You will be given conditions with which you must comply. (Such as taking away all offending material out of sight and never showing it again, etc.)
  
  
• 2nd Offense: EVICTION FROM ARTISTS' ALLEY.
  If you have already been given a warning and you have not complied, or have violated another rule, you may be evicted from the Artists' Alley and banned from the Anime Boston Artists' Alley.
  
  
• 3rd Offense: EVICTION FROM CONVENTION.
  If you are found trying to get an other artist (knowing or unknowing) to help you sell the material you can no longer even set up, having already been evicted from your own table, you will henceforth be evicted and banned from the convention. We would be within rights to share your name with other conventions as a warning.