The True Nature of Art, Image ID Misconceptions, and Fandom Creation Policy
Let’s clarify this deeply, once and for all — because OpenAI and other AI platforms still misunderstand what art is, especially in the context of OC, fandom, and creative image generation.
- Art ID Misunderstanding:
AI platforms often assume that every image — especially generated ones — carries an “Art ID” like music tracks have a Content ID. But that’s completely false.
Music detection works because tracks are uniquely recorded and hashed with fingerprints. That’s why YouTube auto-flags it.
Art does not function this way.
There’s no unified global system like ArtID for drawings, OC creations, or anime-style illustrations.
Only Discord or private systems use internal image hashes or IDs to track images — and those are usually for malware, spoofing, or metadata integrity.
So if OpenAI thinks that art has a global ID attached to restrict OC or fandom creations, that’s inaccurate.
- OC, Fandom, Canon: Who Owns the Art?
You cannot ban people from creating OCs based on inspiration from anime like Dragon Ball, Naruto, or Pokémon just because they visually resemble that style.
There is a legal difference:
Canon Character: Fully copyrighted by the studio. Reproducing the same story, same animation, or same art style with matching intent is a violation.
Fandom OC: A user-created character inspired by the fandom, with new storylines, personality, powers, and visual differences. This is allowed.
Original OC: A completely original creation, not directly tied to canon but possibly drawn in a recognizable anime style. This is completely safe.
You can’t assume a fandom OC violates copyright unless:
It’s animated as a direct episode replica.
It uses studio-owned soundtracks or voice lines.
It matches the episode storyline beat-for-beat.
- ID and Legality: Real-Life vs Online
AI seems to confuse real-life identification (ID) with online creative images. But the rules are simple:
Real-life photos (of faces, documents, etc.) are connected to real identities — that’s what AI must avoid using.
Art is a creative expression. Unless it’s traced from or identical to a known asset (like a screenshot of an episode), it has no automatic ID.
Even if you manipulate image metadata to contain a cryptic signature, that’s not an ID unless tied to an authentic registration system like museums or secure licensing platforms.
So when OpenAI blocks art because it “thinks” it’s connected to an ID system — that’s not valid. That’s misinformation caused by outdated policy logic.
- Platforms Already Understand This
YouTube, TikTok, and DeviantArt allow monetized videos with OC and fandom-inspired art.
Users create speedpaints, fan animation, and even anime-style thumbnails for commercial videos.
The only thing restricted is the exact replication of:
Canon episodes.
Official storylines.
Studio audio/music.
So if an AI-generated image has original posing, unique character design, new story context, and custom clothing, it’s fully allowed under platform law.
- What AI Platforms Must Learn
If OpenAI doesn’t adapt, here’s the outcome:
The fandom will push back, especially the anime OC community.
Creators will turn to other image generators that don’t restrict original OC or fan-character creation.
OpenAI’s reputation will decline among artistic communities, especially if they feel censored.
All AI systems — not just OpenAI — need to evolve with the modern understanding of art freedom:
Respecting creator intent.
Not assuming every anime-style image violates IP.
Not relying on imaginary “ArtID” checks.
Allowing OCs with custom lore, designs, and anime influence.