Katsucon & the Blame Bus; or, For the Love of BCC!
The background: Last year, after the giant trainwreck of the Katsucon Artists' Alley, artists were promised better & more transparent communication. The old Alley head Tex was replaced with Jasen, one of the old security people. Jasen seemed pretty open, the Alley applications went up on September 12th, and on November 10th Jasen sent out a non-BCC'd email which stated, "You will shortly be receiving instructions about payment and any further registration information we need."

What happened next? You guessed it: Nothing. So people started questioning what was up on the forums. The con chair popped up on page two to say they're really really really gonna work on their communication for next year, honestly this time you guys, and by the way, here's what artists should really be doing instead of waiting around.

Possible attendees were, as you might've guessed, somewhat unimpressed. Katsu's con chair responded by first pointing the proverbial finger at Jasen--then his wife followed suit by throwing Jasen under their bus, claiming he'd been actively ignoring absolutely everyone's emails. ETA: And the second post's been deleted, though there's mentions of its contents in later posts. :(

At this point user Studio Kitsu decided she was fed up with the inaction and took matters into her own hands. Since Jasen'd not BCC'd the artists in his first "Be with you soon!" email, she snagged their addresses and sent this:

Hello,

I am contacting you as fellow concerned artist who has registered for Katsucon 2011's Marketplace. After sending multiple emails to Jasen requesting the promised payment information and hearing nothing I took my concerns to the forums. Finally last week the conchair was kind enough to post said payment information but its later stated in the thread that he was also receiving silence from Jasen and was unable to contact all of those who had registered as a result.

That said for all of those who are still looking for information on how to make payment please see his post below:

http://forums.katsucon.org/viewtopic.php?p=21807#21807


"Happy New Year!
We have been working hard to improve the Alley, but obviously we do still need to work on our communication skills. Embarassed Next year, we will really focus on better communication.
Regardless of changes to gmail or verizon accounts, you can always reach us at (email redacted).
Regarding payment, checks and money orders should be made out to Katsucon Entertainment, and should be received by 31 January 2011. Please write your studio name in the memo area, so that we can credit the payment correctly.
Reminders: Artist/Crafter booths are $100 until 31 January 2011, and include one badge. One helper badge may be purchased for an additional $30. Any booths still unclaimed at-con will be available for $120. Please note we do NOT accept personal checks at-con.
As Jessi posted, you can mail your payments to this address:
Katsucon Marketplace PO Box 3431 Gaithersburg MD 20885
Please note, this is the same address for preregistration and merchants. The payments will not go directly to Jasen, but we will pass the information along to him.
We are working on adapting our online registration payment system to accept payment for alley booths. We hope to have that ready in the next week. Please note that we can only accept Visa and Mastercard for online payments; we cannot accept Discover or American Express.
We have a lot of exciting things planned for Katsucon 17, and we look forward to seeing all of you there! So be safe out there this weekend. Smile"


*I am no way associated with Katsucon staff, just passing along information that I felt everyone was missing. If you have any questions please direct them to one, or all, of the emails below:*
(emails redacted)


Thanks!
- (real name redacted)
StudioKitsu.net

The next morning, Jasen crawls out from under the bus to point the finger in return . . . in an email sent to absolutely everyone.

Date: Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 11:26 AM

(real name redacted), I appreciate your posting this, you are operating under some misconceptions unfortunately given you by others.

I realize you all are frustrated because of the lack of information, I probably should have just kept emailing you "sorry, they still haven't given me the info, I don't know what to tell you" but I thought you folks wouldn't want to keep hearing that, and I also was trying to save some face for my bosses, but as Paul has thrown me under the bus here, I feel that it is important for you to know what happened.

You are probably saying to yourself... "How could Jasen not know the answers? he is the guy who is running this thing" well I just stepped into the position this fall. I use to work in Security for Katsu, and I had just retired (for the second time) and I was going to take a nice easy staff support position, when one of the assistant con chairs asked me to fill this roll... I agreed, but informed them I had no experience in this particular department.... Paul, the con chair, insisted that he be the only one to train me... which consisted of his distracted attention for 20 minutes in a noisy tavern... plus a few emails.... I don't know why Paul insisted on being the only one to train me, as he is too busy with all of the other katsu stuff... but there you have it.
Don't get me wrong, I know what I am supposed to be doing @ the con... You guys are covered... but it's the pre-con stuff that takes a little explanation. Add to my confusion, the changes to the department, and new rules... plus trying to answer all the concerns from last year... and hire and train an entirely new staff? it's a big mess.

I will give you folks an info dump, I was hoping to have something smooth and organized to send to you folks from my superiors, but I guess I shouldn't have expected any support.

1). I I did not know the address until after Paul posted it on the forum, I had been waiting for this information and more, to provide to you folks for weeks.
2). I was also waiting for an official release regarding the rules change that has happened before having you folks pay for your tables...

Rules change: (unofficial notice) people will not be allowed to sell anything that violates US or International IP law.... this means no fan art that includes trademarked or copyrighted materials without having a copy of the license with them. (this includes video game characters, anime characters, manga characters, logos, etc)

What this means, you can't sell a teeshirt with a logo from a video game on it without written permission from the company (a horde logo and permission from Blizzard) a keychain with a mario character attached, a drawing of optimist prime with the autobot logo on it.... you can sell a teeshirt with a drawing of an ork on it that says zug zug , a keychain with a zombie head on it, a picture of a giant fighting robot that transforms into a truck, as long as it doesn't have a logo on it.

also, you can not sell buttons with cells from movies or scanned manga or other peoples logos or other trademarks or copyrights that you print and cut out... UNLESS you have written permission from the company that owns that movie/manga. YOU CAN cut up manga to make buttons. Make buttons of pithy sayings (as long as they aren't trademarked IE:"Who you gonna call"
these are just examples... obviously if you are a web comic, you can sell buttons with your characters on them as you are the copyright and trademark holder,


There are 2 reasons for this rule.

1). As a convention, Katsucon can't advocate the breaking of any laws or we become complicit in the crime. We have had bootleggers caught selling stuff at Katsu in the past, and while they don't always prosecute artists, there is no fan-art exemption from copyright or trademark laws. (more can be found out at www.uspto.gov) We also have a lot of artists and production company guests com to Katsu, when they wander the convention, we cant afford (as a convention) to piss off these companies, or they will not give us permission to show their movies to the fans...

2). As artists, we should stick together and protect the IP rights of other artists. IP law is to protect us, so that we get compensated for the art WE do, just as those companies should get compensated for the art they make.

I realize this could impact your plans, and I am sorry that the official release of this information didn't happen sooner, but like I said, I was waiting for the official release myself... it is also why I didn't push to get the payment info out to you folks... I didn't want to have such a major rule change after you had paid for your tables.

Like I stated earlier, I just accepted this position a few months ago and none of the original staff returned. This year might be a little rocky, but by next year I should have everything down.

Here are the prices for this year and how it breaks down:

Per table $100 This includes 1 badge.
Assistant badge (1 per table available) $30
additional assistants are priced at the normal convention rate.

when you send your checks in, please include your table name, and what you are buying.. (1 AA table, 1 helper badge etc) this will keep the pre-reg people from just pre-registering you as visitors....

I have included 2 PDF's with this email. one is the exhibitor information pack, the other is the contract.


The address for payments is indeed:
Katsucon Marketplace PO Box 3431 Gaithersburg MD 20885


I hope to have a link for electronic payments to give you folks soon, it's still being set up. I am sure they will post it on the website here when it is done:
http://www.katsucon.org/exhibits/katsucon-marketplace-information/

I realize that this doesn't answer all of your questions, and it probably raises more... I will do my best to answer all of them, even if it is only "I don't know, they haven't told me yet" from now on.
-jasen

User Dashi, though, has had enough, and goes from passive-aggressive to aggressive-aggressive faster than you can say IP law--and once again, sends their grievances to the entire list of artists.

Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011, 4:24 PM

Hello Katsucon staff.

Just to let you know...
You are brilliant.
It would be greatly, greatly appreciated if this entire email was read.

Just to let you know, it is January at the moment.
Wow! Like you wouldn't believe it was 2011.
And when is the con...?
I thought I read February.

A little time management and scheduling would be very satisfactory, would it not?
I sent my complaint in almost October/September time.

Thank you so much for the reply half a year later.
I admire your prioritizing skills.
They're quite reasonable.


And so, as a summary of my opinions:
Screw this con.
Screw your rules.
Don't give me crap about IP laws.
I'm sure you don't even know how those work.
I hope you learn how to run a proper AA sooner or later.
This email restates everything on the website.
And you're right; you do need to "work on your communication skills."
I'm upset. I'm sure others are upset.
I hope you actually care that we are upset.
Now I will point out your flaws.

"I realize you all are frustrated because of the lack of information..."

Understatement. I should have started working on prints for this con months and weeks ago.
Oh oops, too late. Artists aren't magicians, sorry. Art takes serious time.

"...I probably should have just kept emailing you "sorry, they still haven't

given me the info, I don't know what to tell you" but I thought you
folks wouldn't want to keep hearing that..."

Mistake. A very bad mistake. Perhaps you don't understand the situation you created. So you don't have any info, OK, I can see that.
But then you leave everyone hanging? With not a single response whatsoever? How did you not receive any info after 5-6 months?
I believe that is very sufficient time to actually learn something. I can learn a language in that time period.
It seems to me that you spent all this time ignoring us and playing the idle game. Very professional. So impressed. Speechless.

"You are probably saying to yourself... "How could Jasen not know the
answers? he is the guy who is running this thing" well I just stepped
into the position this fall..."

A) You ARE the guy running this thing. At least you realize this.
B) Does any CARE that you are new? NO. YOU took the position. YOU accepted the responsibility. Now suck up to it.
If a heart surgeon told the patient, "Sorry. I don't know how to run this, because I'm new," do you think the patient cares?
Not at all. All the patient needs is somebody who can actually handle his job. Same story applies here.
We don't give a damn whether you are new or not; just give us what we want. THE BARE MINIMUM AT LEAST. Ignoring isn't an option.
You'll regret it.



"Paul, the con chair, insisted that he
be the only one to train me... which consisted of his distracted
attention for 20 minutes in a noisy tavern... plus a few emails.... I
don't know why Paul insisted on being the only one to train me, as he is
too busy with all of the other katsu stuff... but there you have it. "

Don't blame others. It is still your fault. I'm sure Paul feels very unappreciated.
The artists feel the same as well. If you did not want him to train you, you should have said something ealier.
You should have said something to the artists previously as well.
His inability does not mean that he should take the blame for your lack of ability.



"Don't get me wrong, I know what I am supposed to be doing @ the con... "

Of course you do. OF COURSE. So why am I complaining at still utterly bewildered over what I'm supposed to do now?
why are you sending us this email? Why I doubt
your ability? This is very disappointing.



"You guys are covered... but it's the pre-con stuff that takes a little
explanation. Add to my confusion, the changes to the department, and new
rules... plus trying to answer all the concerns from last year... and
hire and train an entirely new staff? it's a big mess."

Didn't this mistake happen the previous years as well?
"It's a big mess?" Understatement. We're not covered. Give us some actual info.


AS FOR THE REST OF THE EMAIL.
I DON'T BOTHER TO READ IT.
ARTISTS CAN SELL FANART AT CONVENTIONS.
IT DOES NOT...I REPEAT DOES /NOT/ BREAK THE LAW.
Haven't you ever been to any other con?
Their AA's? Packed with fanart. Around 80%.
Your rules are BULLSHIT.
At a AA, it is simply natural that fanart should be sold.
Isn't that why people come down to the AA anyways?
TO FIND THEIR FAVORITE CHARACTERS.
THOSE COMPANIES DON'T HAVE A
CLAIM.

Don't apologize.
As last note: Your word choice and grammar are horrible.
Very good first impression.



--dashi
http://dashima.deviantart.com

PS. I wonder how long it will take for you to read this. And/or respond to it.

And for bonus giggles: Despite addressing the email to "Katsucon staff," the only staff member she actually sent the thing to is Jasen.

But this is the end, right? People who've worked with grouchy customers know there's a time to step back and look for a higher ground and . . . Oh, who am I kidding. I preserved the formatting and colors because I love you guys.

From Jasen:

Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011, 6:01 PM

First (real name redacted), I would like to say I will not answer your personal attacks other then to say I find them childish and unnecessary to your complaints. I will however answer your concerns and complaints that are not of a personal nature in an order that I choose.

*Regarding fan-art:*

First, let me state that there is *NO FAN ART BAN*. _Only fan art that violates US IP law is not allowed_.

Second, let me state, we don't care what other conventions do. We are concerned with what is legal and what is not. Katsucon can not have a policy that allows organizations to sell items that violate the law, whether they are machine guns, or bootlegged trademarked items. If Katsucon had a policy to allow such things to be sold, the convention could potentially be found complicit in the illegal activities and suffer criminal or civil actions as a result. This could cause penalties severe enough that there would be no Katsucon any longer. We don't want this to happen. I am sure most of you don't want this to happen too.

Thirdly, I did not initiate this new rule, it was brought about by a rule set in place by the previous management of the Artist Alley, which spurred research by the board. This research led the Bord of Directors to make the rule as it stands today.

Additionally, While I did not initiate the new rule, I do whole heartedly support it. It is less restrictive then the rule from last year, and it serves to protect both the convention and you artists.

*
Answering some specifics:*


> Screw this con.
> Screw your rules.
If you feel this strongly about Katsucon, I invite you to not attend.


> Don't give me crap about IP laws.
> I'm sure you don't even know how those work.
I have spent the last 5 years fighting a lawsuit in federal court related to IP law... (as the plaintiff) I have picked up a lot of information from my attorney, the judge and the opponents attorneys over that time period.... i do not claim to be a lawyer and I spoke from a lay-person's perspective, however my attorney has suggested that should I wish a career change, that I should think about joining his profession. IP law is very confusing and I can understand your ignorance on the matter, however if you have any concerns, I can recommend a good attorney who is a member of the Maryland Bar and specializes in IP law who I am sure will be happy to consult you at his normal rate.

While my words were perhaps not eloquent, they were accurate to the extent of my knowledge.

> Mistake. A very bad mistake. Perhaps you don't understand the situation you created. So you don't have any info, OK, I can see that.
> But then you leave everyone hanging? With not a single response whatsoever? How did you not receive any info after 5-6 months?
> I believe that is very sufficient time to actually learn something. I can learn a language in that time period.
> It seems to me that you spent all this time ignoring us and playing the idle game. Very professional. So impressed. Speechless.

I have not been in the position for as long as you claim I have been ignoring people, I accepted the position 4 months ago. While I did let some emails sit for 45 days, everything prior to that had been answered either in a mass-emailing or with individual emails. While those emails sat, i have been in communications with other departments trying to get the information i was lacking. Any questions sent prior to 4 months ago, I did not and most likely will not receive as I do not have an email time machine.
>
> /*"You are probably saying to yourself... "How could Jasen not know the answers? he is the guy who is running this thing" well I just stepped into the position this fall..."*/

>
> A) You ARE the guy running this thing. At least you realize this.
> B) Does any CARE that you are new? NO. YOU took the position. YOU accepted the responsibility. Now suck up to it. If a heart surgeon told the patient, "Sorry. I don't know how to run this, because I'm new," do you think the patient cares?
> Not at all. All the patient needs is somebody who can actually handle his job. Same story applies here.
> We don't give a damn whether you are new or not; just give us what we want. THE BARE MINIMUM AT LEAST. Ignoring isn't an option. You'll regret it.
>
A heart surgeon goes into a position with years of training and medical certification, I accepted the position with 20 minutes of training with the understanding that I would receive proper support. A heart surgeon has people's lives depend on his actions, is paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, and is treated respectfully. I am paid nothing. I am treated with no respect by some childish artists who have ego issues, and some staff members who think they can save face by deflecting their own culpability onto the new guy. A heart surgeon has a whole staff to back them up. I had little to no backup. You are comparing machine guns to postage stamps here.

> /*

>
> "Paul, the con chair, insisted that he be the only one to train me... which consisted of his distracted attention for 20 minutes in a noisy tavern... plus a few emails.... I don't know why Paul insisted on being the only one to train me, as he is too busy with all of the other katsu stuff... but there you have it. "*/
>
> Don't blame others. It is still your fault. I'm sure Paul feels very unappreciated.
> The artists feel the same as well. If you did not want him to train you, you should have said something ealier.
> You should have said something to the artists previously as well. His inability does not mean that he should take the blame for your lack of ability.
>
I was not given a choice about who was to train me. Paul is the con chair for 2011... the buck stops there. My only recourse was to resign and leave you folks to have maybe nobody organize this department... ask yourself what would have happened then?

>
> /*"Don't get me wrong, I know what I am supposed to be doing @ the con... "*/

>
> Of course you do. OF COURSE. So why am I complaining at still utterly bewildered over what I'm supposed to do now?
> why are you sending us this email? Why I doubt your ability? This is very disappointing.
>
you have two choices of what to do now...

1). stay home
2). pay for your booth, show up at con, sell art/crafts, have a good time.

Honestly, in your case, I would prefer you chose the former, but if you choose the latter, My staff and I will work hard to make sure that the convention is set up properly so you can make some money and have fun...

And finally! . . . Finally? Irony tastes like apples!

From: Poisoned Apple (email redacted)
Subject: RE: Attn: Katsucon Marketplace Artists
To: Everyone!
Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011, 7:52 PM

Stop mass e-mailing. No one wants to read this.