Word has started circling the Internet today about new restrictions being placed on the selling of Transformers fan art at this years Botcon convention.
Artists that purchased tables at the convention are being told that fan art which may infrige on Hasbro’s intellectual property or trademarks can not be sold at the convention.
We went to the Club and asked for clarification, we were told that this was a policy being implemented by Hasbro and would only effect those who have never been contracted by Hasbro and its licensees before.
We were also told this should not effect many people, since most people who have tables and selling art at this convention have worked in some fashion with Hasbro or its licensees.
Botcon is the officially sanctioned Transformers convention by Hasbro.
This is obviously another attempt by Hasbro to try and protect it’s intellectual properties from piracy. Last month it was announced that the selling of 3rd party non-sanctioned Transformers toys would also be forbidden at this years convention.
It’s understandable for a company to try and protect it’s own intellectual properties, however the restrictions on fan art being sold will likely seem a bit extreme to many fans.
