Now, I am not very active on FA, as I lack much if any artistic talent. I am even less active on the forums, due to lack of interest in most goings on. I do not have a great insight into the inner working of things, and generally tend to lurk most times. Please take this message and its questions with a grain of salt, for it is simple personal curiosity driving me to write this.
As I understand it, there are a few separate issues regarding this. One, the ownership of the domain name. Two, the ownership of FA code. Three, the legality of it all. Finally, four, the issues of who stabbed who in the back.
On one: Does Alkora/Kheryn own the FA website's current domain? A relatively simple question. If he does, he has a right to sell or trade said domain for its value, perceived or otherwise. The domain and code of the site are separate entities in so far as I know about such things. As for it being in relation to the total value of the site, or it's being a Not-For-Profit site, that is a separate issue and will be asked about on question three.
On two: Who owns the FA site's code? If it was a collaborative effort, then so far as I know, each owns a proportional share. On the subject of selling such code, unless it was stated that the individual's designed code was only being lent or rented to said site, and not given to the site, the sites being not for profit would take hold. (See third question below)
On three: On legality and those issues, I would question my own knowledge of this, as issues of digital copyright, ownership, and management are not my forte. I know the following however: Owning a domain name of a site and owning the sites code, database, and servers are separate issues and separate ownership titles. I do ask if anyone knows differently for certain, and can point me to hard facts, that they do so. As for being Not-For-Profit, and with the askance previous to this sentence in mind, going by strict definitions, you can get all invested monies back, penny for literal penny, on a project, and can elect to take less, but cannot make any profit what so ever and still fit under the same NFP definition. Once again, correct me if I am wrong.
On four: In the end, those are personal issues in my opinion. I can state my opinion all day long, and that wont change. I can understand the desire to sell a resource for needed funds. I can understand protecting an investment of time and energy. I can also understand misunderstandings and drama blowing up in the face of miscommunication regarding both of the aforementioned. If it is admin, coder, and owner miscommunication and drama, then let it settle. By all means, ask your questions, but please, for the sake of all involved, do so in a polite manner and with patience. If you are any of the aforementioned? Thank you for what you have done to help the furry community. Regardless of the drama, I have enjoyed the fruits of your labor.
I suppose in the end I have these things to say: Thank you for Fur Affinity. Thank you for your work, however great or small it may be on the site. Please settle any disputes with the politeness and etiquette I know you are capable of. Above all, remember this: We are all people, however grand or low we may be, and as such, no one is perfect nor has any rights to claim such.
As stated before, if I am wrong on any of these issues, please, let me know. Point me to facts where you can, and try to inform me of it. I hope FA stays up and that this smoothes over soon. Either way, a good run and a good laugh was had by many.
