Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- theme_policies [2025/08/18 15:29] – created pallet
+++ theme_policies [2026/06/21 04:09] (current) – pallet
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=====Theme Policies=====
+======Theme Policies======
-====9.1 Theme Basics====
+//Please refer to the Table of Contents to the right for specific links to relevant sections.//
+=====7.1 Theme Basics=====
 When created, all [[Stellaborn]] are given a unique theme. Themes can be duplicated across the species, but not across their subspecies. This is consistent for all [[Stellaborn]].
@@ Line 10: / Line 12: @@
 --------
-====9.2 Theme Rules and Conduct====
+=====7.2 Theme Rules and Conduct=====
 Starlight Commons [SLC] reserves the right to decline any theme even if it exists on our Masterlists. Themes cannot violate [[Content_Policies|Section 2: Content Policies]].
@@ Line 16: / Line 18: @@
 \\ - Copyrighted, Trademarked, or Patented ideas, characters, and words.
 \\ - Starlight Commons-Specific Words //(I.E. Somapri, Vionic, Fate Fruit, etc.)//
-\\ - Mental Disorders.
+\\ - Themes addressing Mental Disorders, Illnesses, or Disabilities.
 \\ - Adult themes, or themes that can be construed as a sexual innuendo.
 \\ - Racial slurs and slurs in general.
 \\ - Themes addressing sexuality, religion, or gender. //(Exceptions: Boy, Girl, Lady, Man, Madam, Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Grandma, Grandpa, or other familial descriptors will be accepted.)//
-**9.2a Sensitive Themes**
+===7.2a Sensitive Themes===
 Starlight Commons [SLC] cannot and will not censor themes unless they directly violate [[Content_Policies|Section 2: Content Policies]]. Please be aware that these issues are rarely intentional, and people have varying sensibilities about what is and is not offensive. For accidentally sensitive themes, we ask users to take care when reporting these issues to the [[Service Desk]]. We also reserve the right to decline any theme retroactively. If this impacts users, they will be compensated with a new theme for free.
---------
+===7.2b Character Themes Based on Derivative Content===
+Starlight Commons [SLC] allows [[Stellaborn]] to draw inspiration from characters in popular culture, books, and movies. [[Stellaborn]] can be themed to align with these works, provided they are now in the public domain. However, Starlight Commons [SLC] reserves the right to decline theme submissions that are inspired by copyrighted content. Additionally, Starlight Commons [SLC] Official Artists reserve the right to decline to create these themes.
-====9.3 Theme Language Rules====
+===7.2c Character Theme Disputes | Mistakes===
+[[Stellaborn]] are sometimes accidentally approved with spelling mistakes. Should this happen, the user can submit a ticket at the [[General Support]] counter at the [[Service Desk]].
+[[Stellaborn]] may be accidentally approved with sensitive themes. Should this happen, owners will be contacted, and the theme will be temporarily replaced with TBA until the owner chooses a new theme at the [[Service Desk]].
+===7.2d Character Theme Disputes | Duplicate Themes===
+Due to the vast amount of [[Stellaborn]], occasionally, a [[Stellaborn]] may have duplicated themes, and it is not intentional. We also reserve the right to decline any theme even if it exists on our Masterlists. To report accidental theme duplicates, submit a ticket at the [[General Support]] counter at the [[Service Desk]].
+**Examples**
+\\ - Accidental duplicates due to spelling errors.
+\\ - Accidental duplicates because a theme did not manifest for an Official Artist or Moderator during approval.
+===7.2e Character Theme-Wishlist Disputes | Theft and Harassment===
+It is a common practice in many Closed Species communities for users to create and/or post a wish list of themes they wish to own, or for users to use similar themes over many species. Starlight Commons [SLC] cannot monitor or be aware of wish lists. Starlight Commons [SLC] prohibits users from claiming ownership of specific themes until they register them on a Masterlist. However, in some cases, if it is reported and sufficient proof is provided that a user has gone out of their way to purchase a [[Stellaborn]] with a theme with the sole purpose of being malicious, then that user may receive a warning or permanent ban, depending on the intent, content, and severity.
+===7.2f Adoptable Sets & the Internal Taken List===
+Official Artists create adoptable sets and commissions. To do this efficiently, there is an internal to-do list that takes priority over users' theme submissions if the theme was ordered as a commission or planned as part of a set before the user's theme submission. This list is not public and cannot be made public because it would frequently become outdated. Users should avoid claiming themes that are similar to adoptable sets until the sets are complete. To check whether the theme is available during an active adoptable set, this can be asked via the [[General Support]] counter at the [[Service Desk]]. The Official Artist will do their best to openly state whether a set has begun or ended on the sale posts.
+--------
+=====7.3 Theme Language Rules=====
 Starlight Commons [SLC] utilizes the English (US) theme system for all [[Stellaborn]] themes. Themes must be in English or the common name of the theme, unless a different language represents the most common name. For instance, ‘Potato’ is acceptable, while ‘Solanum Tuberosum’ is not.
@@ Line 37: / Line 59: @@
 --------
-====9.4 Theme Character Limit====
+=====7.4 Theme Character Limit=====
 The maximum number of characters a theme can have is 23.
@@ Line 43: / Line 65: @@
 --------
-====9.5 Character Designs and Themes Based on Derivative Content====
+=====7.5 Media Inspiration, CBC, Alternate Universes, and Copyright=====
+Starlight Commons [SLC] permits [[Stellaborn]] to draw inspiration from other media, including anime, games, films, and books. However, [SLC] does not allow copyright or trademark infringement. Character designs must be meaningfully different to be approved and should clearly read as their own unique characters, not 1:1 copies of existing ones. Starlight Commons [SLC] supports and enforces standard copyright and trademark expectations, and Starlight Commons [SLC] reserves the right to remove characters and artwork that are found to be infringing, even if previously approved. Even if a user has permission from the original creator, [SLC] will still decline the design to ensure the site meets consistent approval standards and remains legally and community safe.
+Because our team is human and cannot recognize every fandom, users are expected to use good judgment and avoid designs that rely too heavily on another franchise. To reduce infringement risk, users should avoid copying or taking large sets of elements at once, including:
+\\ - The full character design or outfit.
+\\ - The character's name.
+\\ - The character's backstory or plot role.
+\\ - Signature powers, weapons, or defining traits.
+\\ - Distinctive themes, symbols, logos, or branding.
+\\ - Entire groups or collections of characters from the same media.
-Starlight Commons [SLC] permits [[Stellaborn]] to draw inspiration from characters found in popular culture, books, and movies. [[Stellaborn]] can be themed to align with these works as long as they are now considered Public Domain. However, Starlight Commons [SLC] reserves the right to decline submissions that closely resemble copyrighted content, including art submissions, themes, or redesigns. Additionally, Starlight Commons [SLC] Official Artists reserve the right to decline to create these designs.
+As a best practice, reference only one or a few inspiration elements at a time and ensure the final [[Stellaborn]] design reads as an original design.