Over coffee and pie oh my! I think review on dA policy is needed right now. I'm just going to mention a few key points in the policy for two reasons: 1. So you don't violate it. 2. So you can properly report someone (without $realitysquared and the rest of staff laughing at you behind your back!).

It doesn't cease to amaze me how many deviants tend to justify why their work is either an exception to dA's policy, or the reason dA's policy needs to change for your own benefit. One thing is very clear, just because you've been on dA for 1 yr.+ doesn't mean dA can't remove your work if it's against policy.

FAQ #554: Is my deviation Mature Content?

What qualifies as mature content? You must mark your work as mature content if it contains nudity, sexual themes, violence or gore, strong language, or is ideologically sensitive.

"Ideologically Sensitive-This is a new term to enter into the lexicon of terminology applied toward deviations and refers to imagery that may be construed as offensive toward a person or group of peoples religious, social, political ort otherwise ideological beliefs. This does not apply as a means in which to justify hate art. That is a subject we will cover later on. What this should be used for is a warning that you as an artist have created something which very well may piss some people off, as we artists are prone to doing. This will allow you to let people know that they should view it at their own risk."

FAQ #306: Does "Crediting" let me use whatever I want?

No. You may not "borrow" or steal images that do not belong to you and have not been given to you for use. This includes images from any search engine such as google, scanned magazine images, or movie/game stills.

You may use free stock resources like the ones offered on deviantART (FAQ #217: What are "Stock Photos" and can I use "Stock Photos" in my submissions?) or on websites such as stockexchange.

FAQ #304: Do you remove copies and trace-over art?

I've noticed many deviants have become upset about "trace work" lately and demand for other deviant's works to be deleted. dA views each claim on a case by case basis, but there is no rule stating that this is illegal on dA. As long as the artist does not have a copyrighted piece of work within their work and cite the original artwork, traced art can be uploaded.

FAQ #250: The laws of my country differ from those of the United States- which ones apply?

"As we are a U.S. based company the laws which govern deviantART are those of the United States of America.

By agreeing to abide by the deviantART Submission Agreement and our Terms of Service you are also agreeing that you will abide by the laws which govern our website."

FAQ #165: Do you allow images depicting bodily wastes or fluids?

I actually didn't know this until just now. deviantART does NOT allow any works containing or depicting bodily wastes or fluids.

FAQ #60: Do you allow "Adult", explicit sexual or pornographic content on deviantART?

NO.

FAQ #7: What is the policy concerning photographs of corpses, cruelty or death?

"Images depicting real life corpses or death are allowed providing that they a reviewing staff member does not consider the work to be unnecessarily graphic. All such submissions must be marked with a Mature Content tag.

Images of animal cruelty are not allowed and will be immediately removed as they come to the attention of the staff."

FAQ #565: You prohibit the submission of 'pornographic material'; what do you consider this to be?

"• Masturbation
Hands should not come into contact with genitalia in a manner which is clearly a display of fondling or masturbation.

• Sexual Intercourse.
Subjects should not be positioned in a manner which is clearly a display of sexual intercourse. This can include depictions of sexual penetration, genital to genital contact, genital to anal contact, oral to genital contact, oral to breast contact or oral to anal contact.

• Sexual body fluids (actual or simulated).
There should be no depiction of semen or vaginal lubricants.

• Erections.
Male subjects may not be depicted with an erection.

• Vaginal or Anal Spreading
Female subjects should not be depicted with their vagina spread or opened by hand or manipulated open by any other artificial means. Neither sex should show the anus opened in a similar fashion.

• Adult oriented (sexual) toys.
"Adult toys" consisting of dildos, strap-ons, vibrators, etc. are not allowed.

Submissions which are judged to be in violation of these guidelines will be removed without prior warning. Users found submitting such content may have their account banned or suspended without warning. Also be aware that we prohibit providing any outside link to another website which provides access to the material described above."

FAQ #305: Is posting 'Adult' oriented artwork alright if I censor it first?

Pornographic work, even censored, is not allowed on dA.

Open Discussion: Now that you've been well versed on some of dA's policy, what do you think about it? Do you think anything should be added or taken away? What do you agree with and disagree with?