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A new image created a shitstorm. Over the so-called "Obvious lesbians" that are doing "it" while everyone else is suffering during RD's performance.

@kewlnoob:

Those discussions pose hypomytheticamalogical quandaries to the kind folk sheep that browse the EqD comments section. Just the way it's worded makes it obvious from a glance, anyways.

Honest mistake for somebody who isn't me, of course. I am amazing.

@Humanizations:

The best of the best has gotta be GlancoJusticar:

Sadly, Egophiliac doesn't do humanizations, as far as I've seen.

@Rainbow Dash Presents:

"I think it's stunting my emotional growth because I just destroy everything."

I enjoyed the Mentally Advanced Series more than Friendship is Witchcraft because it was actually funny. Good thing the RDPs are even funnier, amirite?

Someone make a pony version of this with Celestia.

Looks like Funko is coming out with some more of the vinyl figures at Hot Topic next month. Can't wait to pick up a Doctor Whooves and Fluttershy. Means I'll have something to use those silly "Hot Cash" things on too.

Good thing I'm single. It'd be hard to explain to a girlfriend/fiance/wife why I spent all my money on pony stuff and not gifts for her.

kewln00b wrote:

And boom another stake through Lauren Faust’s heart! Man 4chan is going to have a fanpanderemic when they hear about this.
I can easily see Derpy winning though, I would like that as it would be a giant FUCK YOU to the people who complained about Derpy being offensive. But if we’re being realistic it’ll probably go like this.

Equestria Daily occasionally does a just-for-fun news post to stimulate discussions. Usually happens on slow news days.

@Ivan
Really?
People are actually arguing about that?
That's pretty dumb.
Also:
>"everyone else is suffering"
>Rumble is clearly smiling like a mad-pony at center-screen
Right…

@CrazyC
Just saw those pictures and I'm with you.
Must have The Doctor and Fluttershy!

@Lasers
Yeah, Glanco's probably my favorite humanizer, too.
Just so you know though, Egophiliac does do humanizations.
They are just pretty few and far between.

On humanizations, I'll also mention these comics:

The artist is Chinese I believe and they are more 'anthro' than fully human, but the designs are cool and some of the jokes are pretty hilarious.
(Poor Scoots… Even when she's an imaginary superhero…)

Taiwanese, actually.

So that makes him a Taiwanese guy who draws comics in a Japanese style with dialogue written in Chinese, based on an American cartoon made in Canada.

i cant even--

So that makes him a human guy who draws comics in a human style with dialogue written in human, based on a human cartoon made in humanland?

So a couple of news:

You can check the current EVO donation standings by clicking on the different donation pages.

And it looks like this now:
1st place is melee with 13k
2nd place is skullgirls with 5k
3rd place is FiM with 4k

So I guess it is safe to say, that there won't be a pony tournament this year. Perhaps all the hubbub about the nomination and the rule change wasn't even necessary.

Next more important issue: YouTube, FiW and equestriagirls takedown

Hasbro has started to use the YouTube auto detection program for the full mlp episodes and other videos that use a lot of show content. These videos have been taken down in an automated process without asking questions and there seems to be a considerable amount of fan videos under the casulties for instance parodies like FiW and the mentally advanced series.

You can read SherclopPones' response here: klicksy

This means we will have to wait for the second fair use disput. Right now FiW wasn't taken down delibately by Hasbro, but it could serve as some kind of test case. I think it's a bit too early to start panicking, but I have to say that I am quite nervous. There is a high chance of a sad ending.

Hey fellow ponyfags.

Can you give me hand with my art? Because I have no idea what to name the following:

@EVO
Fighting is Magic will still be appearing at EVO in the indie section, so the only thing lost is a big, main stage presentation.
Plenty of people should still get the opportunity to play it and all this attention that it has received should boost interest, even if it doesn't win overall.
Win-win as far as I'm concerned.

@Friendship is Witchcraft
So yeah, from the sounds of it, these videos were taken down because they were close enough matches to the actual episodes that YouTube's auto-detection software flagged them.
Makes sense since they use so much of the actual show, really.
Now they are trying to get them restored under the concept of Fair Use.

Silly legal stuff ahead!

"Fair Use" has always been a very nebulous legal concept.
It basically allows for the legal use of unlicensed copyrighted material, but only in certain somewhat-vague circumstances.

Using a 15 second clip from a TV show in order to provide context for your own critical review of the show? Go right ahead.
That's the exact type of thing the law as designed to protect.

Copying an entire episode directly to YouTube with no changes? Clearly violating the law.

Lots and lots of videos fall somewhere on the continuum between these two points and drawing any kind of hard line is essentially impossible.
In my mind, though, I really don't think that Friendship is Witchcraft (and other similar videos) qualify as "Fair Use" to be honest.
Yes, they use their own voices and soundtracks, but the video is 99% taken directly from the show (minus a few shopped-in effects on occasion).
Using that much copyrighted content in a semi-edited way like that doesn't really seem to fall under the spirit of "Fair Use" which was designed for things like context, explanation, education, etc.

I think the primary argument for FiW is that it should qualify as a parody, which are somewhat protected by Fair Use, but it is definitely skirting the borderline ratio of copyrighted-to-fanmade content in that regard.
For an extreme example, assume that someone decided to re-dub the original Star Wars movie with their own silly voices and post it on YouTube.
I think most people would agree that copyright concerns about that would be pretty valid.
In essence, that's what a lot of these abridged series are doing.
As much as I like the content, I can't bring myself to say that it qualifies for legal protection simply on those grounds.

Just to note, videos like the Rainbow Dash Presents series should fall under Fair Use for a parody since, while they do use the names and likenesses of copyrighted characters, everything else (the art, music, voices, stories…) is all original.
Its ratio falls far more to the side of 'original content.'

Now, after going through all of that, a whole lot of those arguments are pretty moot in actual practice.
In the end, money talks and for small cases like these, YouTube is probably going to end up siding with whoever seems like the bigger legal threat.
Fair Use lawsuits are very context-based and so they can be very unpredictable.
Large corporations are far more likely to have the resources and drive to sue for copyright infringement than individual YouTubers will for Fair Use suits.
Does anyone expect any of these people to actually sue if their videos are taken down? Not really.
Statistically, siding with the money has a lower chance of biting YouTube in the ass unless there is a very clear case for the opposing side.
Most of the time, it just comes down to placating whichever side seems more likely to pursue legal action.
A bit cynical, but true.

To hedge my bets a little, I will say that I obviously have no legal training or experience and this is all culled up from various explanations that I've heard about how Fair Use should and does work (since how something should work and how it does work are not necessarily the same).
Maybe FiW does meet the criteria for parody in the eyes of the law in some very clear, demonstrable way.
If so, great!
I'm just saying that, from what I have seen of the law, I don't believe that it does.

Wow, that was too much text and not enough pony.
Compensation:

Ok, today I was checking my YouTube watch history, and I saw two fan made DerpyxDoctor Whooves videos. What the hell? I never clicked on a video link, never saw a second of it, never did a search. How did they end up in my watch history?

no previews or leaks?

well it will be something EPIC this saturday.

I have a gut feeling that some info (if not a leak) might be revealed tomorrow. It's happened before, but I'd like to sway from the spoilers this time 'round. This episode is going to be big, but I'm not sure what'll happen…

My 4 year old niece is weird.
I showed her The Return of Harmony, but she got scared of Discord and started crying.
Later that day, she walked in on me playing Left 4 Dead 2 and was completely fine.

Discord is scarier than any Smoker.

Oh, and since I now have a PayPal account, I ordered the first two IDW comics with Midtown variant covers; Issue #1 with Derpy holding the comic in her mouth, and #2 being the one with Doctor Whooves and the pony Weeping Angel.

Can anypony please tell me where I can go to see all of the covers for #3 before I buy it?

I can understand that. Kids are pretty easily exposed to zombies these days, and they're still relatively human-like, so it's not as big of a deal to them. The ideas of infection and transmission? Not even in their thought processes.

Look at Discord though. He's a chimerical monstrosity capable of bending the very laws of reality to suit his purposes. As adults, we've been eased into the idea through many experiences with similar qualities. To a child that young, it defies all their experiences. Not to mention how he can strip you of your most basic personality and will you into being his almost puppet. Discord must be absolutely terrifying to a four-year-old.

It's pure imagery that scares her. I asked her if she understood the show, she had no idea what anything was. She watched how to train your dragon and got scared, just because they're dragons.

Then show her A Canterlot wedding part 2! She'll love it.

Would she be scared of Sombra though? Hmm….only one way to find out!!

You're far better at this than I am. I'm just like "Oh hey, the new issue", and I buy it. My first cover is the Lone Star Comics cover, and the second is the Rarity/Applejack variant of the general cover.

I'd recommend going to idwpublishing.com. They'll probably have them there at some point.

Also, I'm confused. Is "Fighting is Magic" complete or not? I keep wanting to download it, but I can never tell if it's done, and where the download link would be.

And finally, SORRY CRAZY I DON'T USUALLY FREQUENT THIS THREAD. As was mentioned, Pinkie is kind of darker in this, but what really bugs me is that she feels like the result of flanderization for the sake of bronies. Pinkie in the show is emotional, spontaneous, giggly, and fun, whereas this Pinkie just feels random and not all there.

Um

Also, I’m confused. Is “Fighting is Magic” complete or not? I keep wanting to download it, but I can never tell if it’s done, and where the download link would be.

It's not done yet. I think they expect it to be done in the next few months though. As for where the download would be, I'd guess it would be on the mane6 site. If the download isn't from the site specifically, then I'm sure they'd link to where you could find it.

You're starting to scare me a bit, kewln00b.

EDIT: Yeah, there have been some small, but credible bits of info that indicates that there is a Season 4. One is the financial reports from Hasbro, the other being William Anderson's (BGM for the show) poem heavily implying that there was a reason for the shortened third season and that other seasons were to come.
 
(Or he was just screwing with us.)
 
The show staff also isn't "acting" like they're beginning to focus on other gigs anymore than they have been either. I can't help but to think there'd be a lot of hoopla or gratitude for being a freaky awesome (or just plain freaky and awesome) fandom for the past couple of years if the show were ending.

kewln00b wrote:

Then show her A Canterlot wedding part 2! She’ll love it.
Would she be scared of Sombra though? Hmm….only one way to find out!!

If I ever have children, you will not be allowed near them.

Teh Brawler wrote:

And finally, SORRY CRAZY I DON’T USUALLY FREQUENT THIS THREAD. As was mentioned, Pinkie is kind of darker in this, but what really bugs me is that she feels like the result of flanderization for the sake of bronies. Pinkie in the show is emotional, spontaneous, giggly, and fun, whereas this Pinkie just feels random and not all there.

It's alright. I can see why they would try to actually focus on bronies for the comics. We're more likely to read them than the other demographic. I doubt it's the pandering that many people have been saying the show is trying to do though.

Teh Brawler wrote:

Um.

Just wait a few years until you are able to psychologically freak her the hell out.
Then, see who she's scared of.

@Edan
Here is a list of all the comic covers with links to the places to buy them, updated whenever new information comes out: Varient Covers
They haven't confirmed too many versions of Issue Three, but it looks like Jetpack is continuing their 'pony superhero' thing at least:

So there's a new teaser clip out. I don't think I have to say it, but.. Don't watch if you wish to avoid spoilers.

Youtube

You're a bit behind, my friend. Those documents have been out since November!
Besides, It's been suspected since the shortened season was announced that there would be a season 4 – after all, with all the money Hasbro must be rolling in, why would they cancel the show and release the last few episodes produced? Hopefully the extra downtime will give us more episodes at top-quality.

Another spoiler:

I've been away due to work. I'll catch up with the thread later but for now, this is my reaction to that little spoiler that Crazy linked to:

i wonder if people are actually avoiding the spoilers.

Anyways… got new sun Dark glasses, extremely Polarized… Turns out I'm glare sensitive… And now I have to wear them all the time when there's much light. Or else my eyes will hurt.

I keep suspecting a certain One shot pony has a similar problem, having only once revealed her eyes, and it was at night.

Also, considering these glasses only let in less than 20% Light… I'm sure there's a Rainbow Dash pun to be made. Just need to figure out the best phrasing.

Whatever the case… I now have a scientific reason I'm not to fond of the sun… or meeting Celestia.

P.S. These glasses could still stand to be a little darker. Daylight still hurts.

People intentionally avoiding spoilers? DOES NOT COMPUTE

But seriously, unless they royally screw up the finale with you know what why would you just abandon ship from the show/fandom? Only way I could really see them screw this up if they said
Jayson: Hey guys we're going to make possibly the most important episode of the series so far. We can't afford any screw ups in fear of losing our entire fanbase. Merriwether you're writing the episode!
Merriwether: Oh boy!

There's a huge difference between a section of the fan-base hating a decision enough to argue about it thus starting a Nerd war; and jumping ship all together.

Also I don't keep up with who writes what episodes. What exactly has Merriwether written?

And why does her name sound like the name of a Fairy?

Anyone been on the Bronystate Livestream today? It's currently not working for me. I'm worried I'll have to find a new Livestream just before the new episode.

And to round this up… Who thinks Season 4 is actually just around the corner? Like it will be just a couple of months after the end of three before new pony?

Also, why is Applejack considered the "backround pony" of the Mane Six? Since recently she has appeared quite often, and I'm pretty sure she as around the same screen time as all the other Mane Six ponies. I think we know who has been the actual backround pony as of recently.

@Crazy☾:

IT'S ACTUALLY DISCORD!!!

Oh man! I owe 5 bucks to ZeroBlue4 if he actually is Star Swirl the Bearded. Oh boy, oh boy!

@Mrwens: Well, jokes aside, AJ is not a background pony, neither is Rarity. They just got less highliighted than the other ponies.

AJ is considered a background pony because she gets so little focus and its a fun way to troll the ever living fuck of people tease fellow brownies about their favorite pony.

@CrazyC
I've waited three weeks.
I can wait one more day.
No spoilers for me, thanks.

@Back to the comics
One thing that I've seen very little discussion about is the new little offshoot comic series.
Apparently, there are going to be six issues, each focusing on one of the main ponies in their own story.
I think that sounds like a really cool idea, plus we get to actually buy an official print of Sibsy's artwork!

<div class=spoiler title="Well, maybe not that exact piece… (NSFW?)">

The definition of "Can't unsee" right there…

In other random information (that I'm mostly using to distract myself from the spoilers):

Someone else also noted that Brian Drummond is most famous for his role as Vegeta in Dragonball, meaning that Babs is a Saiyan!
And furthermore, Clair Corlette, the voice of Sweetie Belle, is the daughter of Ian Corlette who was the original voice of Goku!

IT BEGINS!

@Spoilers: HISS

@DBZ Ponies: For added fun, consider the fact that Sweetie and Babs are presumably very close in age, like Goten and Trunks. It's only a matter of time now before they fuse to become Sweetie Seed (or would it be Babs Belle?) to fight an upcoming antagonist seeking to absorb the power of the Elements of Harmony.

Obligatory poni:

Has anybody heard of this movie?

I saw the trailer for it at Wreck-it Ralph. I remember thinking it looked horrible, and apparently it was, because the movie was never shown.

And Tara Strong plays the annoying girl in the movie. Why, Tara. WHY.

People always threaten to leave fandoms when something happens they dislike. It happens to every fandom. Each vague Homestuck update Hussie makes always results in the fandom losing at least half its members (hint: not really). It's a sort of final desperate attempt at getting that they are rustled about changed, because they know most actions are futile at that point. In threatening to leave, they hope others will follow their opinion and with that hope to get a majority to actually get it changed.

It's stupid drama. They never actually leave, they just want to make a mountain out of a molehill. And if they truly leave due to such trivial matters, they were never true fans in the first place.

They will not be missed.

Little Tavi.

ZeroBlue4 wrote:

Also I don’t keep up with who writes what episodes. What exactly has Merriwether written?
And why does her name sound like the name of a Fairy?

Merriwether Williams wrote The Mysterious Mare Do Well, Hearth's Warming Eve, Putting your Hoof Down, Dragon Quest, Wonderbolts Academy, and did the screenwriting for Spike at Your Service.

Many fans dislike her for Mare Do Well, and it's caused people to scream out that she shouldn't be allowed to write anymore. I feel it odd, as she's the only person to give us really any real world-building background history (Hearth's Warming Eve).

As far as her name.. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it fantastical.

DeadParrot222 wrote:

@CrazyC
I’ve waited three weeks.
I can wait one more day.
No spoilers for me, thanks.

I understand. No one ever said you had to watch the teasers as they came out.

DeadParrot222 wrote:

@Back to the comics
One thing that I’ve seen very little discussion about is the new little offshoot comic series.
Apparently, there are going to be six issues, each focusing on one of the main ponies in their own story.
I think that sounds like a really cool idea, plus we get to actually buy an official print of Sibsy’s artwork!

Y'know, it wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't right in the middle of the cover.

Teh Brawler wrote:

I don’t understand. Why are people threatening to leave the fandom? [INFORMATION EXPUNGED] I’m obviously missing something here.

It's not going the way they're wanting it to, so they feel the best way to protest is to rage quit. Many people think it'll be the moment the show "jumps the shark", and that the friendship lessons will no longer feel as valid. Others think it's just to sell more toys.

Without looking at the specific reason that it was brought up (though I can guess), people publicly threatening to abandon the fandom are usually just looking for attention.
I posted this a while back but it seems relevant enough for a repost:

CrazyC wrote:

"I understand. No one ever said you had to watch the teasers as they came out."

Oh, I never meant to imply that anyone was forcing them, in fact, I've been very happy about everyone's dutiful use of spoiler tags today.
Just mentioning that I won't be throwing my two cents into it until Saturday.

I haven't posted in a few days. I come back and see that everybody is talking spoilers.

Guys, I swear, if you don't stop posting spoilers… then I'll keep coming back here and never learn my lesson.

So bored…

Writers respond to finale shitstorm:

@Disturbedbrony:

Hey, at least we're putting the spoilers in spoiler tags now.

PROGRESS!

Guys, I don't think you all understand what I'm asking. What about this specific instance is causing members of the fandom to threaten that kind of behavior?

I always thought Twilight would become an alicorn via a release form like Devil Trigger in the DMC games. She turns into an alicorn which makes her powerful for a short time, then she returns to normal.

To answer your questions in order

1A. People were making it quite clear they'd literally stop watching the show altogether if Twilight became an Alicorn as for some dumb reason.

1B. Mysterious Mare Do Well…..'Nuff said

2. Nope, I just got off work so I haven't tried. Sorry.

3. I think it would be quite cruel to make us wait till November 2013 for new Ponies after a shortened season. We might have to wait till Fall but it would be cool to see Season 4 in Summer or something.

GUYS! SPOILER TAG THAT SHIT PLEASE!

EDIT:

As you can see, the machine spirit that dwells within the KYM Forum has judged that the edict that spoilers MUST go in spoiler tags is worthy of the hallowed PAGE GET! so that all who come across this fair land must know the laws set forward so that we may avoid chaos and tread the glorious path to order and progress!