Cartoon pornography
Encyclopedia
Cartoon pornography is the portrayal of illustrated or animated fictional characters in erotic or sexual situations. Cartoon
pornography
includes but is not limited to parody renditions of famous cartoons and comics.
, Kevin J. Taylor
, or John Willie
, have gained a cult
fan base.
varies from country to country. In addition to the normal legal status of pornography, much cartoon pornography depicts potentially minor characters engaging in sexual acts. One of the primary reasons for this may be due to many cartoons being at least partially aimed at young adults or even children, and therefore the characters themselves are not adult
s. Cartoon pornography does not always have depictions of minors in sexual acts or situations, but that which does may fall under the jurisdiction
laws concerning child pornography
. Drawings of pre-existing characters can in theory be in violation of copyright law no matter the situation the characters are shown in.
. For more information on general legality of pornography, see Pornography in the United States
. Even in the case of depiction of minors, the US Supreme Court has found that in certain conditions, banning the depiction may violate freedom of expression.
, the legal status of cartoon pornography with minors has been more thoroughly addressed and refined than it was before under the previous law of the United States. The new act made any realistic appearing computer generated depiction
that is indistinguishable from a depiction of an actual minor in sexual situations or engaging in sexual acts illegal under . Drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings of minors in sexual situations that do not pass the Miller test
were made illegal under thus creating a loop hole around the Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition
decision.
By October 2008, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
became involved in a case defending an Iowa
n comic collector named Christopher Handley, with Eric Chase of the group operating as his legal consultant. This is related to obscenity charges involving pornography depicting minors, being applied to a fictional comic book. Judge Gritzner was petitioned to drop some of the charges. The motion was initially heard on June 24, 2008 but was not widely publicized prior to the Fund's involvement. Handley eventually plead guilty to charges of possessing "obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children" and was sentenced to six months in jail.
In October 2010, a 33 year old Idaho man, Steven Kutzner, entered into a plea agreement concerning images of child characters from the American animated television show, The Simpsons
engaged in sexual acts.
, Lisa
and Marge
from The Simpsons
guilty after the images were described as Child Pornography. According to the judge of the court case, the "purpose of anti-child pornography legislation was to stop sexual exploitation and child abuse where images of "real" children were depicted" and that the images could "fuel demand for material that does involve the abuse of children."
because of some people role playing as underage characters with virtual underage avatars.
district court punished a manga translator with a monetary fine and probation for possession of fanart computer images, deemed by the court to be underage. This was appealed and taken to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal upheld the former verdict, for 39 of the 51 pictures, and the monetary fine was reduced. It has now been further appealed to the Supreme court.
. Many such bans had been placed on any such cartoons strips of comics. For instance, a once popular comic strip, Savita Bhabhi was deemed illegal in India.
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
includes but is not limited to parody renditions of famous cartoons and comics.
Non-parody artists
Artists who draw pre-existing characters do not generally have any special notability among the cartoon pornography community; in contrast, some of the artists who draw their own characters, such as Alazar, Bill WardBill Ward (comics)
William Hess Ward , known as Bill Ward, was an American cartoonist notable as a good girl artist and creator of the risqué comics character Torchy.-Early life and career:...
, Kevin J. Taylor
Kevin J. Taylor
Kevin J. Taylor is a self taught artist from Spain known primarily for erotic art specifically in The Girl series, featuring his original character Jaleira "the Girl" Dane, and other notable characters such as Jill, Boy Blue, and Marty...
, or John Willie
John Willie
John Alexander Scott Coutts , better known as John Willie, was a pioneering fetish photographer, illustrator, and bondage artist.- Life and work :...
, have gained a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
fan base.
Legal status of cartoon pornography
The legal status of pornographyPornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
varies from country to country. In addition to the normal legal status of pornography, much cartoon pornography depicts potentially minor characters engaging in sexual acts. One of the primary reasons for this may be due to many cartoons being at least partially aimed at young adults or even children, and therefore the characters themselves are not adult
Adult
An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age....
s. Cartoon pornography does not always have depictions of minors in sexual acts or situations, but that which does may fall under the jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
laws concerning child pornography
Child pornography
Child pornography refers to images or films and, in some cases, writings depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child...
. Drawings of pre-existing characters can in theory be in violation of copyright law no matter the situation the characters are shown in.
The United States
In the United States, cartoon porn that does not contain depictions of minors generally falls under the category of speech protected by the First AmendmentFirst Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
. For more information on general legality of pornography, see Pornography in the United States
Pornography in the United States
In the United States, there have been several notable court decisions relating to the definition of pornography and obscenity, personal possession, and its relation to prostitution. The total market value of pornography in the U.S. is estimated between $2-$13 billion per year...
. Even in the case of depiction of minors, the US Supreme Court has found that in certain conditions, banning the depiction may violate freedom of expression.
Cartoon pornography depicting minors
As of the PROTECT Act of 2003PROTECT Act of 2003
The PROTECT Act of 2003 is a United States law with the stated intent of preventing child abuse. "PROTECT" is a "backronym" which stands for "Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today"....
, the legal status of cartoon pornography with minors has been more thoroughly addressed and refined than it was before under the previous law of the United States. The new act made any realistic appearing computer generated depiction
Digital art
Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
that is indistinguishable from a depiction of an actual minor in sexual situations or engaging in sexual acts illegal under . Drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings of minors in sexual situations that do not pass the Miller test
Miller test
The Miller test , is the United States Supreme Court's test for determining whether speech or expression can be labeled obscene, in which case it is not protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and can be prohibited.-History and details:The Miller test was developed in the...
were made illegal under thus creating a loop hole around the Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition
Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition
Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, , struck down two overbroad provisions of the Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996 because they abridged "the freedom to engage in a substantial amount of lawful speech." The case was brought against the Government by the Free Speech Coalition, a "California...
decision.
Obscenity
By October 2008, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a United States non-profit organization created in 1986 to protect the First Amendment rights of comics creators, publishers, and retailers covering legal expenses....
became involved in a case defending an Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
n comic collector named Christopher Handley, with Eric Chase of the group operating as his legal consultant. This is related to obscenity charges involving pornography depicting minors, being applied to a fictional comic book. Judge Gritzner was petitioned to drop some of the charges. The motion was initially heard on June 24, 2008 but was not widely publicized prior to the Fund's involvement. Handley eventually plead guilty to charges of possessing "obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children" and was sentenced to six months in jail.
In October 2010, a 33 year old Idaho man, Steven Kutzner, entered into a plea agreement concerning images of child characters from the American animated television show, The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
engaged in sexual acts.
Canada
Cartoon pornography is illegal in Canada if it depicts any characters of the human or inhuman species under the age of 18, including fictional ones.Australia
A recent court case in Australia has found a man possessing cartoon pornography involving the characters BartBart Simpson
Bartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, Lisa
Lisa Simpson
Lisa Marie Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the middle child of the Simpson family. Voiced by Yeardley Smith, Lisa first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening...
and Marge
Marge Simpson
Marjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
from The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
guilty after the images were described as Child Pornography. According to the judge of the court case, the "purpose of anti-child pornography legislation was to stop sexual exploitation and child abuse where images of "real" children were depicted" and that the images could "fuel demand for material that does involve the abuse of children."
Germany
Virtual child pornography can be punished with up to 5 years in prison in Germany, German prosecutors investigated the video game Second LifeSecond Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
because of some people role playing as underage characters with virtual underage avatars.
United Kingdom
The Coroners and Justice Bill (which came into force on 6 April 2010) criminalises all sexual images of under 18s (including non-realistic depictions), as well as images of adults where the predominant impression conveyed is that the person shown is under 18 despite the fact that some of the physical characteristics shown are not those of a person under 18.Sweden
The UppsalaUppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
district court punished a manga translator with a monetary fine and probation for possession of fanart computer images, deemed by the court to be underage. This was appealed and taken to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal upheld the former verdict, for 39 of the 51 pictures, and the monetary fine was reduced. It has now been further appealed to the Supreme court.
India
Cartoon pornography is illegal in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Many such bans had been placed on any such cartoons strips of comics. For instance, a once popular comic strip, Savita Bhabhi was deemed illegal in India.