jkcarrier | Entries tagged with contracts

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More folks are weighing in on that Tokyopop Pilot Program thing I mentioned earlier, and at least a few of them are saying, "Well, it's not THAT bad."

The indispensable Heidi MacDonald has a good overview of both sides of the argument. By all means, if you're interested in this program at all, read all points of view and make up your own mind. I still wouldn't touch the thing with a ten-foot pole, but I doubt Tokyopop is losing any sleep over my disapproval. ;-)

Have you seen this Tokyopop "Pilot Program" contract? (PDF file)

Jesus wept. This may well be both the most exploitive and the most smugly condescending contract I've ever seen. I am dumbfounded by how blatantly they lay out the many ways in which they will screw you. My favorite bit is where they tell you that "moral rights" are some silly thing made up by the French, and therefore you should cheerfully sign them away.

Further commentary by actual professional, big-name cartoonists on what a crock of shit this is:

Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim)
Lea Hernandez (Rumble Girls)
Hope Larson (Chiggers)

Aspiring cartoonists: Please, please, please do not fall for this smarmy come-on. You can do better.

(edited to add: In the interest of fairness, see here for some opposing viewpoints.)