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BATTLEGROUND VICTORY. COM

BLACKLIST

SEAN PATTY wrote:
Posted on 11/18/2011 at 4:51 PM

Thanks for the recent update and I appreciate Bill Cox’s efforts to improve CAF, a site which I have found, as a Creator, to be
an asset in promoting my comics and fantasy artwork auctions on eBay. I understand Cox has been working as an affiliate
marketer with eBay via CAF for some time now as a partner and has been very successful and thus we Creators, Dealers
and Collectors/Buyers here at CAF have all contributed that success and I have enjoyed my participation. I have paid for
advertising here on CAF. I have also been a Premium Member for many years and was happy to help finance the site until
recently when Cox decided on October 27 to forbid members from promoting eBay auctions containing tasteful nudity in the
CAF Member Auctions gallery. It was at this point that I decided to NOT continue my Premium Membership.

While I agree that pornographic art definitely requires restrictions and will abide by Cox’s desire to place CAF “more in line
with other online gallery sites such as Deviant Art”, I find it curious that tasteful nudity is now unacceptable and that Cox
states: “We provide no means for you to label the images as Not Work Safe and therefore must make this request. You are
also not allowed to post NWS style images as a means of hiding the fact that you are linking to Not Work Safe auctions on
eBay either.” I do hope Cox, as a web designer and his wife, a lead programmer, might see fit to provide such “means” for
individual eBay listings as he has done so well for the general CAF gallery room which may be NWS restricted for those who
find a bare female breast too troubling to gaze upon. I do not see why the use of a Creator-altered NWS image should be now
forbidden, as well.

Indeed it is interesting to note that under these current Cox guidelines a Master like Frank Frazetta could not list and
promote his tasteful nude or erotic fantasy art eBay auctions if he were here today, which does indicate a flawed approach
on Cox’s part, as his own Terms and Conditions statement allows for nude art and indicates: “This web site is primarily
intended for the use and enjoyment of persons who are at least 18 years old.” Also, I have noted Cox continues to promote
some nudes, or NWS censored nudes or erotic imagery (like a clothed but masturbating Wonder Woman) in the Hot eBay
Auctions gallery, which indicates a lack of consistency on his part and creates confusion for we members who contribute to
the success of CAF.

The planned “initiative” and the use of “volunteers to help us police posts to the site” is also of concern. One can only hope
that Cox will select “police”men of quality and hope they employ good judgment as censors, although such activities usually
become questionable very early on. Cox states: “We do not wish to stifle artistic creativity, or remove notable works by
many masters of comic art, but we also want to keep the site an enjoyable place for everyone to participate and in turn
hopefully share the site with their friends and colleagues.” So time will tell.

I may elect to renew my Premium Membership again, depending on the direction Bill Cox’s initiative takes, but at this time I
cannot fund an effort which intends to limit my artistic expression when it comes to tasteful nudity in my comics or fantasy
works. All elements of this business flow from the Creator, we who make the original artwork. Without us Creators there
would be no CAF. It is best to remember this truth. Hopefully this feedback is helpful for all involved.
–Sean Patty

Bill Cox wrote:
Posted on 11/18/2011 at 6:50 PM

While I've nothing really to add to Sean's ramblings I can't allow him to tell lies about myself or the site.

First, while it is true that Sean has supported CAF with a few ads and once was a premium member as well - both of which
we really appreciate - his membership expired 2 weeks prior to our updating our policy on what can and cannot be included
in the ebay auctions one promotes on CAF. So Sean had already chosen not to renew his membership before our update on
our policies was made.

Second, CAF never willingly promoted an image of Wonder Woman, clothed, fondling herself. There was an auction posted to
CAF by a member of the site (not Sean) and that auction appeared on the homepage of CAF for half a day before it was
brought to our attention by another member and we removed it. It also randomly appeared at the top of the site while it was
still active. It was this particular auction that was the straw that broke the camel's back on allowing nudes and sexually
suggestive images to be posted by CAF members to their ebay auctions because of a lack of both a filter from us, and
member's inability to regulate what they posted. Regrettably we have turned a blind eye to images of this sort for a very long
time, and we have alienated many collectors and fans of comic art by doing so.

Similarly, the reason we chose to no longer allow people to "edit" their nudes by putting balloons on them to hide "things"
was primarily because the person in question doing this was not even linking to artwork contained in the Comic Art Section
of eBay, but to the Everything Else/Pornography section of eBay. This was because the images would never have been
allowed in the original comic art section of ebay. Since we cannot police when someone choses to "edit" their nudes, we
have opted to not allow this practice because we also feel that tasteful editing of one's image to place balloons on it could
then become a means of self promoting the art even more, even when the balloons would not be used to cover up nudity. I
envision people putting bubbles and boxes on just about anything to promote their auctions more. So we're not going to
allow it.

eBay auctions automatically flow from eBay to CAF now, and sometimes we edit them after the fact though most
questionable artwork is excluded ahead of time.

Before we establish our group of site editors to help us police the site we have some work to complete. Namely we are
going to integrate a feature that allows you to lock their gallery rooms in your gallery, such that anyone wanting to view the
art in them will have to request access from the owner/artist. This way a gallery owner knows who is accessing their
images and will be able to grant or deny access to these users. While we feel this will be of benefit to artists and collectors
with questionable imagery, this will also be of benefit to collectors who want to better restrict access to some of their
collection for private sales, or because they do not want all CAF visitors to know what they own. -Bill

SEAN PATTY wrote:
Posted on 11/21/2011 at 6:53 PM

Bill Cox’s unfounded claims of “lies” are unbecoming for a site administrator and I will correct Cox and also offer further
observations and constructive feedback. One year ago, during my last CAF renewal period, my membership also expired
before I soon renewed it again. Indeed, if memory serves, it had been expired for 2 or 3 weeks before I renewed it because I
was pleased with the direction Cox was taking the site and thus I was happy to still help support Cox financially. So
whatever aspersions Cox tries to make concerning my character have no merit, as a pattern had been established
beforehand. These brief lapses can occur because, as a Creator, there are many elements demanding my attention each
day and so the immediate renewal of the CAF membership is not a priority. I decided to NOT renew the membership this year
after I took note of Cox’s October 27 initiative and still feel, regardless of Cox’s recent attempts to explain his actions, that it
is the appropriate response at this time.

Furthermore, Cox is referring to an image by an artist who was listing work in the CAF Member eBay Auctions gallery which
linked to the Adults Only section of eBay. The image of the barely clothed and fondling Wonder Woman image that I
referenced was indeed POSTED in the CAF Hot eBay Auctions gallery of the site and thus Cox was promoting this highly
sexually suggestive artwork whether he included it there or a minion did so. Make no mistake, I have no issues with Cox
promoting any artwork he wishes, not a problem, but I observed this piece after the initiative of October 27 and brought it to
light, along with other inconsistencies, to illustrate concerns over Cox’s newfound desire to impose restrictions upon CAF
members art listings containing nudity or suggestive imagery or the self-editing of such imagery, as he has elected to not
provide “a filter”, while disregarding his own guidelines in some cases when it comes to auctions he promotes.

It is worth noting that a legendary “underground” comics artist like Robert Crumb would also be required by eBay to list a
large amount of original comics art in the Everything Else/ Adults Only section on eBay because eBay prohibits the “editing”
of images in the Original Comics Art category. It is important to realize that just because a work is listed in the Adults Only
section that the merit of Crumbs work is not diminished in any way. Richard Corben’s underground work also comes to mind
and the DEN episodes which were serialized in Heavy Metal magazine and were clearly adult in nature and have been widely
considered to be of a high quality artistically. There are others like Manara and Crepax who also fall into this category and
are highly regarded Creators in the comics field. But by Cox’s new mandate, these seminal Creator’s works would not be
permitted for promotion on CAF, which further illustrates that these guidelines are flawed and require revision by Cox.

Additionally, while I appreciate Cox expounding upon his new policy regarding “edited” images listed in the general eBay
comics category, I have noted Cox continued to promote “edited” images in the Hot eBay Auctions gallery while the
membership is excluded from such activities as of October 27. I have also noted that these pieces were by highly regarded
creators whose art sells for high values and as Cox is an eBay “affiliate” there is the obvious profit incentive upon his part to
violate his very own guidelines, but the fact is that these pieces had the “bubbles and boxes” placed over body parts even
though Cox states he is “not going to allow it” for the general CAF membership. The policy should apply to Cox just as much
to the rest of us or not at all. It is as simple as that, otherwise such actions become clearly HYPOCRITICAL.

I would suggest a NWS “cover sheet/filter” option for each INDIVIDUAL nude artwork listing, alongside the current option for
entire NWS room galleries. Cox has expressed a desire to emulate the structure of Deviant Art to some extent when it
comes to adult works so I believe this approach, which DA employs, for general CAF membership eBay art listings would
work very well should Cox decide to implement the feature. This would solve the issue of the “means” or “filter” which Cox
does not currently provide.
-Sean Patty

Bill Cox wrote:
Posted on 11/21/2011 at 8:31 PM

As you might imagine judging from Sean's passion about this topic, he and I have a history of correspondence about CAF and
his artwork, among other things. Fortunately I still prefer to call him Sean and keep things civil whereas he prefers to refer to
me as "Cox" in a derisive manner. No matter, it really doesn't bother me but it is unfortunate. Sean is actually a pretty decent
guy whose artwork has come a long way since I first became aware of him via CAF and I think he has a lot of promise as an
artist and storyteller.

Our decision to no longer allow linking to offensive subject matter has absolutely nothing to do with making money. We'll
earn less money by not allowing our members to promote these types of auctions, just like the members who have
promoted them in the past here at CAF will make less. Since we started promoting editor's picks auctions we have always
edited the listings to exclude certain auctions entirely - something we've never asked of our members via policy. When we
felt there was something notable that needed to be included but crossed the line, we cropped the image and changed the
auction's title to NWS. So if Crumb or Corben or the like had an auction that we knew collectors would want to be made
aware we found a way to promote it while not going over-the-top. During this same time we've allowed members to pretty
much post whatever they liked without any direction on our part. This free-for-all approach was certainly profitable for both
us and the members - like Sean - who took advantage of it, but it always garned us regular complaints from other collectors
and visitors to the site. And the more popular CAF became, the more complaints were leveled at us.

I also think collectors and fans who visit CAF can tell the difference between Crumb, Manara and Frazetta when compared to
Tijuana Bible, Titillating and Lowbrow type artwork that is rampant on eBay and even CAF these days. It's why we're taking a
hard look at our site and the policies we choose to establish or enforce. When our site ranks at the top of comic art search
indexes at Google for words like "hentai", "cumshot" (thank you, Sean - and thanks for finally changing those titles), and
"Megan Fox Nude", I do wonder if I've let a few things get away from us regarding CAF and it's policies.

At any rate, I'll leave it at that. Regards, Bill

Nick Katradis wrote:
Posted on 11/21/2011 at 9:36 PM

Bill, hi, this is Nick Katradis. I agree with you on everything you say about nude pictures on CAF. You are right and you should
not allow nude pictures on CAF in any form. And last time I looked, it was your website and you get to make the rules that
can affect the longevity of CAF and its long term success.

And with no offense to Sean, we cannot tell Bill to compromise his site and what he thinks is ultimately the best thing to do.

Also, the $50 we pay once a year for the premium membership, does not give us a voice in deciding something like this,
especially if Bill determines that it can compromise CAF in a bad way. Ultimately, he decides what is right for CAF. And I
agree.

Sean, I dont want my 10 year old son, who draws and sometimes goes on CAF on my computer, or even my 14 year old son,
to stumble onto a nude site or gallery or auction.

Bill, keep up the great work. ps: My only request to better CAF is to please allow a member to add another 1 or 2 rows to the
featured gallery so we can display even more art on our featured page! - NIck K

Bill Cox wrote:
Posted on 11/22/2011 at 9:42 AM

Hi Nick, Thanks for the comments. I understand your concerns and you're not alone in your opinion as I do get regular emails
like yours.

I want to reiterate that all we're talking about here is first cleaning up self-promoted auctions on CAF.

Secondly, we will be creating an editorial team to help us locate images on the site that need to be properly locked down
based on the Terms & Conditions each member agreed to when they signed on to using CAF, or potentially removing images
from the site based on a clear set of guidelines that we'll adopt and publish on the site in advance. -Regards, Bill

SEAN PATTY wrote:
Posted on 11/22/2011 at 1:38 PM

No derision of Bill Cox was intended for it was my intention to keep the debate formal for the purposes of this Blog. Bill and I
have had a couple private conversations before over art matters and I have actually found them to be rather interesting. I
have offered valid observations and feedback and it is intended for the betterment of CAF and for all of us who have
participated in its success. CAF is a favorite site of mine, not just because I profit from promoting my work here, and I have
always appreciated Cox’s interest in promoting many of my comics pages, pinups and ACEOs, but because it is a treasure
trove of great art. I am interested in a uniform enforcement of any policies Cox sees fit to initiate. But it must be uniform and
no preferential treatment given to any artist regardless of how big a “name” they are when it comes to Cox promoting those
eBay art auctions. It must be a level playing field for all involved.

The inference at the end of Cox’s statement that I have used such words as “hentai” (which I have no idea what that means)
or “cumshot” in my gallery posts is also not correct, I will add. I have always tried to censor graphic titles on all
pornographic work and if there was an oversight in the past it would have corrected years ago. I will add that these pieces
do receive the greatest views of all the work and garner positive feedback in every instance and personal emails as recently
as last night, in fact, never one complaint. This pornographic work was a SMALL part of my prolific creative output, which is
largely fantasy art related, and is suitably situated in a locked down room out of respect for Cox’s guidelines and the
feedback he has offered in the past, which, as I stated earlier, are correct for work of that nature. -SP

SEAN PATTYwrote:
Posted on 11/22/2011 at 2:15 PM

Nick Katradis would be prudent to read the CAF Terms and Conditions. Bill Cox clearly states: “This web site is primarily
intended for the use and enjoyment of persons who are at least 18 years old.” Therefore, his sons of ages 10 and 14 are not
intended to be served by this site according to these terms. It is always appropriate for the parent to show proper judgment
when it comes to under-aged children using a home computer and surfing the net. In fact, I believe there are computer
“parental controls” which may be utilized by a concerned parent like Katradis who does not “want my 10 year old son, who
draws and sometimes goes on CAF on my computer, or even my 14 year old son, to stumble onto a nude site or gallery or
auction.” It is the parent’s responsibility to show proper judgment in these matters so that the images of a fantasy art
master like Frazetta, who is well represented here on CAF, and his tasteful and masterful nude “Cat Girl” or a violent Conan
work might not offend or corrupt his children.

Also, all CAF members have a “voice” in the direction of this community as long as Katradis pays a Premium Membership
fee or Creators such as myself have paid for advertising, paid for a membership and have contributed eBay art to the
community for years which helps to contribute money through the eBay affiliate partnership program through which Cox
profits. In his Ebay Partner interview concerning his “affiliate marketing” position, Cox states: “CAF is incredibly
successful.” He goes on to list a variety of statistics as of July 29, 2011: “we have more than 70,000 registered users and
more than 500k unique visitors a month, delivering upwards of 300,000 page views each day.”

I agree, those sound like exceptional numbers and Cox is indeed quite fortunate to benefit from us Creators, Dealers and
Buyers/Collectors and members like Katradis who have collectively contributed to the success that CAF has become.
Katradis might be correct if CAF were a Non-Profit, but it is not. So we indeed have a “voice” here and I appreciate Katradis
expressing his viewpoints. -SP

Nick Katradis wrote:
Posted on 11/23/2011 at 8:42 AM

Sean, first, you should address me and Bill by our first names when referring to us. You dont refer to me as Katradis and Bill
as Cox. In fact, Bill already told you that it offended him in a prior post. and you are still doing it. I am Nick and he is Bill. Like I
call you Sean and I dont know you or want to.

Second, I will raise my kids the way I like and you raise yours any way you see fit.

Third, If Bill wants to clear up the nudes and the x-rated CAF posts, he could. Its his site. period. -nick