question about Patreon's Copyright Policy: Can I get suspended for using other artists' images with AI?

[montanue]

Hey everyone,

I'm writing to ask about Patreon's practical policy regarding AI-generated content made with image-to-video features.

Grok recently updated its image-to-video function, and the performance is quite good. Most importantly, the lack of censorship makes it very useful. So, here's my idea:

I'm thinking of taking images created by other 3D artists, using them to generate 8-second video clips, and then editing and processing those clips. The plan is to stitch multiple videos together into one, using AI-based editing tools to make the transitions smooth and seamless so it doesn't look awkward (you know, matching start and end frames, etc.). I'd create several of these scenes to produce a final video that's a few minutes long and then add my own separate audio track, since Grok's voice and sound effects are pretty poor.

My main question is: Is there a realistic chance of operating a Patreon like this without getting suspended?

I'm asking because I see some precedents. For example, many games here on F95 clearly use footage from major porn labels, but they are distributed on Patreon and don't seem to get shut down.

There's also a trend with what you might call 'voice comics' or 'audio porn'—those 2D Japanese-style "gooning sessions." From what I can tell, the creators of those videos take images made by various third-party artists without any editing, add captions, and then sell the content with only their own voiceover added. It doesn't seem like they get permission from all the original artists, as they just pull images from a wide, random selection of sources.

This also seems to happen in the game communities. With creators who make Koikatsu content, it seems like once a talented creator makes a good scene, everyone else just steals that scene, puts their own character into it, and sells it. The same goes for the VAM scene; there are many video creators who just steal paid Looks or Scenes made by asset creators, then use them to make and sell their own videos, often making far more money than the original creator.

So, I'd like to start a discussion about the real risk of getting a Patreon account suspended for this. Also, a follow-up question: Would the probability of getting suspended decrease if I used an editing tool to change the appearance, hair color, or body shape of the character in the image before turning it into a video?

For context, I already run a Patreon for AI comics, and I've been creating 2D illustration-style comics. I recently uploaded some material made with Grok as a test, and the response from my subscribers was fantastic. As an experiment, I also generated some 3D-style images with an image model, turned them into videos, and the subscriber reaction was even more enthusiastic. It's clear that Grok is much more proficient at animating 3D art than 2D. The problem is that, for now, AI image models (whether it's NAI or open-source models) are still not well-trained enough to produce high-quality 3D SFM-style images. That's why I've considered using the work of traditional creators.

I know this is morally questionable, but I'm looking for a practical discussion on the risks involved. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[morphnet]

My main question is: Is there a realistic chance of operating a Patreon like this without getting suspended?

The only way to get an accurate answer is to contact patreon and ask them.

 

[Count Morado]

Hey everyone,

I'm writing to ask about Patreon's practical policy regarding AI-generated content made with image-to-video features.

Grok recently updated its image-to-video function, and the performance is quite good. Most importantly, the lack of censorship makes it very useful. So, here's my idea:

I'm thinking of taking images created by other 3D artists, using them to generate 8-second video clips, and then editing and processing those clips. The plan is to stitch multiple videos together into one, using AI-based editing tools to make the transitions smooth and seamless so it doesn't look awkward (you know, matching start and end frames, etc.). I'd create several of these scenes to produce a final video that's a few minutes long and then add my own separate audio track, since Grok's voice and sound effects are pretty poor.

My main question is: Is there a realistic chance of operating a Patreon like this without getting suspended?

I'm asking because I see some precedents. For example, many games here on F95 clearly use footage from major porn labels, but they are distributed on Patreon and don't seem to get shut down.

There's also a trend with what you might call 'voice comics' or 'audio porn'—those 2D Japanese-style "gooning sessions." From what I can tell, the creators of those videos take images made by various third-party artists without any editing, add captions, and then sell the content with only their own voiceover added. It doesn't seem like they get permission from all the original artists, as they just pull images from a wide, random selection of sources.

This also seems to happen in the game communities. With creators who make Koikatsu content, it seems like once a talented creator makes a good scene, everyone else just steals that scene, puts their own character into it, and sells it. The same goes for the VAM scene; there are many video creators who just steal paid Looks or Scenes made by asset creators, then use them to make and sell their own videos, often making far more money than the original creator.

So, I'd like to start a discussion about the real risk of getting a Patreon account suspended for this. Also, a follow-up question: Would the probability of getting suspended decrease if I used an editing tool to change the appearance, hair color, or body shape of the character in the image before turning it into a video?

For context, I already run a Patreon for AI comics, and I've been creating 2D illustration-style comics. I recently uploaded some material made with Grok as a test, and the response from my subscribers was fantastic. As an experiment, I also generated some 3D-style images with an image model, turned them into videos, and the subscriber reaction was even more enthusiastic. It's clear that Grok is much more proficient at animating 3D art than 2D. The problem is that, for now, AI image models (whether it's NAI or open-source models) are still not well-trained enough to produce high-quality 3D SFM-style images. That's why I've considered using the work of traditional creators.

I know this is morally questionable, but I'm looking for a practical discussion on the risks involved. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Patreon checks creators randomly and on a report basis.

If you are using other artist's work without their permission, that's against Patreon rules.
You may not get caught right away. You may not get caught in one day, one month, one year, or even one decade. But as soon as a random check or someone reports you, you're screwed. It could be an artist whose work you pilfer that may report you. It could be a disgruntled fan who thinks you aren't moving fast enough or putting out content they want that may report you.

And, what morphnet says is correct - the only accurate answer you can get is from Patreon, themselves. And then save whatever answer they give you for documentation should they ever decide to change their mind.

 

[anne O'nymous]

I understood that you read them, but for reference their

You must be registered to see the links

in adult works is explicit(ly a real mess):

"Specifically for AI-generated Adult/18+ works, hyperrealistic depictions of people must be of real humans who have documented their explicit consent (see “Age verification and consent documentation” for details). AI-generated Adult/18+ figures or characters that are animated or illustrated — as opposed to hyperrealistic — and otherwise comply with Patreon’s Sexually Gratifying Works policies, are permitted on Patreon. Criteria to distinguish between AI-generated figures or characters that are hyperrealistic as opposed to animated or illustrated include: Anatomical consistency with human features (e.g. not part-robot or part-animal), mimicking natural lighting and movement, detailed texture (e.g. skin pores, wrinkles, individual eyelashes, lifelike shadows), and composition (e.g. three-dimensional, high-resolution, with intricate backgrounds and foregrounds)."

As I read it, either you generate none human characters, or your human characters must have a toonish aspect (either 2D like or 3D rendered like). Anything else must be modeled on real humans that consented for this.


So, the way you describe your own AI art seem to be acceptable for them. But if it actually looks too much like someone else Intellectual Property, they can perfectly contact Patreon and claim this property, what would make Patreon kick you out. This being said, it need for your game to be known by the right owner(s), what is relatively unlikely to happen.

After, there's the moral side. Generally if you fear to be kicked out for copyright infringement, you also know that what you are doing is illegal and should be done. But we are a piracy forum... So, this kind of morality...

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

Did... did the thought of creating your own images never occur to you?

 

[montanue]

Did... did the thought of creating your own images never occur to you?

Well, it's because I don't have the time. It took me quite a while to master NAI, and as Grok gets updated, I'll have to study a lot more to do the prompting in more detail. And my main focus is on AI chat; it updates weekly, not monthly, so it's a continuous process of studying. I'm not even doing this as my full-time job, so how can I possibly start studying something like Daz or SFM now? A perfect 3D image generator will probably be out within a year anyway

 

[peterppp]

Did... did the thought of creating your own images never occur to you?

is creating your own images what you are doing using illusion games to take screenshots?

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

Well, it's because I don't have the time.

Fair enough, I suppose.

is creating your own images what you are doing using illusion games to take screenshots?

You mean the animations I custom made, in the custom rooms I made, with the custom characters that have such things as custom normal maps?

Yeah, I think I can say I'm creating my own images at that point. More so than most games I've played here.

 

[Count Morado]

I'm not even doing this as my full-time job, so how can I possibly start studying something like Daz or SFM now?

The vast majority of developers of products you find on this site do not do this as a full-time job --- they already have full-time jobs or other ways they are paying the bills. They are doing this as a hobby or side-gig -- putting what they have of their free time into learning how to code, write/revise dialogue and narrative, and drawing or posing characters into images/video and then putting out something they developed. And then the median income of these people on Patreon is about $100 USD per month, even 4 years or more after starting.

So how can you "possibly start studying something like Daz of SFM now?" Take time and do it.
Just like the thousands of precedents found on this site.
Just like the millions of people who get training part-time while working full-time.
Just like the millions of people who go to college a couple of courses at a time while working to put food on the table.

There are about 8,700 hours in every year.
An adult sleeps 6-8 hours per night. Eating, daily hygeine, etc adds another 3 hours to that (this includes meal prep, shopping).
That's about 4,000 hours per year.
If they are working full-time, that's about 2,000 hours per year. Add in commute time of 1.5 hours per day.
Looking at about 2,400 hours per year.

That leaves 2,300 hours per year. Spend half that on personal/family time.

Over 1,000 hours remain to study and learn and develop. That is, if this is something you really want to do.

It's how I earned my college degrees and professional certifications. And it's how people manage their time to do things they want to do in life. And some forgo the personal/family time... or they find a job which is only 3/4 time... or make other sacrifices to do something that they have a passion to do. Probably how a lot of the artists whose art you are thinking about taking found the time to create that art.

 

[peterppp]

You mean the animations I custom made, in the custom rooms I made, with the custom characters that have such things as custom normal maps?

Yeah, I think I can say I'm creating my own images at that point. More so than most games I've played here.

so what, his stuff also becomes custom made when he makes it. but it all originates from other people's work

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

so what, his stuff also becomes custom made when he makes it. but it all originates from other people's work

See, OP knew exactly what I meant. But I believe you're a touch brain addled by spending so much time in the politics thread. I'll clarify for the man who doesn't capitalize.

"Why use other's images to make animations from instead of making your own and getting exactly what you want". Nowhere did I say "Don't use AI to make the animations" which you seem to believe I did.

 

[Icarus Media]

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

View attachment 5336069

We make futa games, which makes us both top tier homo men that simultaneously hate men. (I don't get the logic either, tbh)

 

[peterppp]

See, OP knew exactly what I meant. But I believe you're a touch brain addled by spending so much time in the politics thread. I'll clarify for the man who doesn't capitalize.

"Why use other's images to make animations from instead of making your own and getting exactly what you want". Nowhere did I say "Don't use AI to make the animations" which you seem to believe I did.

no it's not what i believed. you're using other's work just like him instead of "making your own and getting exactly what you want."

 

[Count Morado]

Mmmm... this is getting buttery

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

no it's not what i believed. you're using other's work just like him instead of "making your own and getting exactly what you want."

OP: "Will I get in trouble using others images for AI animation?"

Me: "Why not render your own, not have to worry about that, and get the precise character looks how you want in the animations?"

OP: "I don't have time."

Me: "Fair enough."

If you can't understand, I will assume illiteracy.

 

[peterppp]

OP: "Will I get in trouble using others images for AI animation?"

Me: "Why not render your own, not have to worry about that, and get the precise character looks how you want in the animations?"

OP: "I don't have time."

Me: "Fair enough."

If you can't understand, I will assume illiteracy.

dude, you're using illusion assets to earn money without a license. it's essentially the same situation.

if you dont understand, i assume addled brain

 

[LfkCn]

Why don't you ask them? They tend to respond to e-mails within 1 or 2 weeks.

 

[anne O'nymous]

it's essentially the same situation.

And the fact is that Insomnimaniac Games didn't said that it was different situation, nor did he said that using AI was bad.

He just implied that, if OP is so worried about the possible consequence due to him using third party images for his animation, using his own images can be a solution, period.

 

[peterppp]

He just implied that, if OP is so worried about the possible consequence due to him using third party images for his animation, using his own images can be a solution, period.

he didn't just imply it. he went all "did.. did... the thought of creating your own images never occur to you?" that was a patronising way to say it from someone who is in a similar situation making stuff using other's work.

And the fact is that Insomnimaniac Games didn't said that it was different situation, nor did he said that using AI was bad.

he did say his situation was different when he insisted that his images were created by him. alright, then why doesnt he sell his game on steam? answer for you: because he is not allowed to sell it there because of copyright/license reasons. and the only reason he is on patreon is because illusion isn't going after people for using their assets that way without a license

i never mentioned ai in this thread.