Background
Traced bases are unoriginal and illegal without the original creator's permission, so why do so many people do it?

"Dolling started from tracing!" - Unfortunately, that is true. There's no reason to hide that fact. BUT, dolling has evolved and grown up from it's not-so-humble beginnings. That little fact does not give anyone the right to continue tracing without permission.

"I found it on Google/Photobucket so it must be free ware." - Sorry but nothing on the internet is free unless it explicitly says so, meaning all screen shots, wallpapers, anime, vector, pictures, photos... EVERYTHING is owned by someone else has a copyright whether it's visible or not. You don't need a watermark, signature or document to hold copyright over your own original artwork. Legal documents are usually there for legal purposes to reinstate that the person owns the creation if they needed to go to court about the issue.

"I don't know how to contact them so I'll do it anyways." - What kind of excuse it that?! You must ALWAYS get permission BEFORE you start! And if you can't find out how to contact them, then don't even start or think about it. Plain and simple.

"They won't know. I'm just a small artist." - It doesn't matter how unknown you are, you're infringing on the artist's rights. The internet is very vast so even if the original creator doesn't know, everyone else will and see that you are a thief.

"They're a big company, they won't be losing anything." - It doesn't matter if they're from a popular anime, TV show, movie or anything, it still doesn't give you the right to steal and trace over.

"They should be thankful, I'm promoting their artwork!" - Anyone who thinks of this as an excuse should be slapped until they come to their senses. It's not promoting their work at all and is more so hurting it.

"I gave credit." - Linking back to a Photobucketed image or even the original image is NOT crediting. And even more, linking back does not give you the right to trace/steal!

"I don't know where this came from." - Don't know the source? Don't use it!!! Can that be any simpler?

"But I can't draw!" - Then practice! Tracing may help you a little but it does not substitute for real practice. Look at stock images for referencing on how to draw certain things and then do it yourself from a blank image. The only way any artist has ever gotten very good and renown at drawing is from original practice. It is also the only way you will ever develop your own unique artistic style. Tracing merely copies the original artist's style which is unhealthy for your drawing 'career'. If you DO trace for practice though, then keep them in Scraps where they belong or don't post them at all!

"It's just a hobby/practice." - Then keep them in Scraps.

"We're not doing anything wrong!" - Yes, you are. Read above.

"It's not just one person tracing, there's a whole community!" - There's a whole community doing illegal drugs but does that make them legal too? No, it doesn't.

"It was requested!" - That doesn't make it any more right. You should refuse the request and explain to them why it was refused in the first place.

"How was I supposed to know, it was from Photobucket/Google!" - Then tell them to find the original and official site for the artwork. That way you won't have to worry if the art originally came from a dA artist or someone who opposes any manipulations of their artworks. Be a bit tough, it's not going to hurt them.

"Tl;Dr" - Grow up. Stop being a lazy, immature child or adult who refuses to act like one and face the truth. Sure you don't like it but tough, that's life.

"It's not in your gallery, it's none of your business." - This isn't a territorial war and it's technically not your space either, it's dA's. Even if you have a subscription, the ones that own the servers are the dA owners.

"You're being an immature douche bag!" - Oh, right, I'm immature. (Gawd I laughed at that one!)
Not once have I cursed while those against this account have. Not once have I spammed anyone nor told anyone to 'f-off and die'. Take a look in the mirror and your own actions before posting things like that.

Have any other retaliations that you've heard or found an error? Want to donate a tutorial? Send a note!

About
This account consists of deviants and deviations who support the removal of all impermissibly traced bases from DeviantArt. (Meaning stolen and traced over artwork without the original artist's permission.)
It is also to teach those who do trace that it is very wrong and is discouraged by all.

Bases traced off of an image with permission from the original creator are legally perfect examples of what trace-basemakers should do. Those who have tutorials promoting illegal tracing for basemaking will have their tutorials faved in the "What NOT To Do" collection. Those who feel that they have 'changed their ways' about tracing should delete their tutorials from their dA account and promote original basemaking in their stead. The original tutorials will then be faved in the "What TO Do" collection.

Affiliates


Special Notes
See this article, CEA UPDATE 20090130; Issues Involving Copying? Give that article a big fat rejection and spread the word!
Now you see this snazzy article, deviantART: Crack down on Copyrights? Give it some love and sign the petition!

Welcome to Digital Dolls dA - A welcoming and informative guide about the Dolling category.

Useful Links
U.S. Copyright Office (Yes, all of dA have to follow under the U.S. Copyright Laws being that dA is hosted in the U.S.)
TinyEye - A reverse image search engine.


Useful FAQs
FAQ #2: Where can I find the official deviantART Copyright Policy?
FAQ #8: What does deviantART consider to be Art Theft?
FAQ #32: Fair Use and Your Submission
FAQ #35: Where is the Etiquette policy for deviantART?
FAQ #94: Can I use the images I find on deviantART?
FAQ #155: How do I report a submission which I think breaks the rules?
FAQ #157: Can I use things created by other people in my submissions?
FAQ #192: What evidence is required when we report stolen material?
FAQ #193: How do I prove that I had permission to use someone's work?
FAQ #226: Does deviantART own my art?
FAQ #250: The laws of my country differ from those of the United States- which ones apply?
FAQ #257: What sort of permission do I need to use someone else's work?
FAQ #304: Do you remove copies and trace-over art?
FAQ #306: Does "Crediting" let me use whatever I want?
FAQ #572: What does deviantART consider "Fan Art" to be?