ART & AI POLICIES

AI Art has come a long way from its inception and so has ethical use standards. As a result, our policies have evolved and changed and will likely continue to evolve with new progress.

We have used photo marketplaces/stock photo sites for (non-AI) digital illustrations, images and art for MANY years, going back to 2009. Last year we also started using an artist who hand sketches characters. So, some of our images come from stock photos/marketplaces and some come from artist Marli Kusaki.

In 2023/2024-ish we DID purchase and use some images that AI tools were used in the creation. These images were not created by us with an AI generator, but by artists that used AI tools in their creations.  (Not sure of exact dates of purchase-we have a portfolio of previously purchased images that we haven't even used yet)

Since this was right around the time that so much was changing and AI was evolving into mainstream use, some of the marketplaces that we use had started implementing AI policies and labeling rules regarding disclosure of art that incorporated AI. Some images slipped through the cracks before AI labeling was required/implemented.

*Some photo sites we use do not accept AI art
*Some allow it with AI labeling
*Some allow their own AI tools to be used, and its tools are trained on their OWN LIBRARY, so any artists work included in any AI generation have consented and are compensated.
*ALL of the marketplaces we use have rules regarding Rights & Ownership, Clear
Labeling and AI-Categorization. 

I believe that AI art can be ethically sourced, and I believe artists need to be able to use their tools without discrimination (so long as they are used ethically), or they risk become obsolete with the mainstream progression of AI. But this is my personal opinion, which is an entirely different conversation.

My business decision differs from my personal views.

I made the business decision, that going forward, I will not knowingly use any images that have AI art or tools used, even if (in my opinion), ethically sourced.

For the current and foreseeable future, I will not use ANY IMAGE to create any new palettes or packaging that has any AI tools used in its creation. If that changes, I will say so, and I will ALWAYS be truthful about any image I use.

Any products we currently have that have any AI art will not be restocked once they are sold out