At least with "my characters" I'm allowing the internet to have a bit more freedom over using them so long as I'm credited and they share alike as it were. I've always feared being taken advantage of (Even though a lot of my ideas suck or are not cutting edge that doesn't mean no one will steal them. "Idea thieves" steal stupid stuff all the time!) but if I smother my ocs and never let them out into the world they'll just remain obscure and die forgotten.
I'm also going to place Alexander McLean's creations I've collaborated with him on under similar conditions and in that case I'll simply kindly remind folks to give him credit too. For those wondering, my true name is Ben Sprague. Please use it along with my pen-name "Broken" too. Thanks much!
Over time I'll change the commons license for each character. (Though certain characters may remain protected for whatever reason)
Below is the original "legal draft" I thought up when Alex and I began expanded Ultranet-worlds and I came up with its' spin off Gutter-delve. It's long-winded but also attempts to be very fair! Go by that and we'll have no problems!
Terms of use
"I don’t mind people using Gutter-Delve as a source of reference or even inspiration. If you want to make ocs (original characters) within the Ultanet-Worlds/Gutter-delve universe based upon the info provided here that’s entirely fine. (After all this is the internet,rule 34 and things stranger still are bound to happen!) So long as these ocs are not merely re-colors or renamed versions of preexisting characters I could care less. Similarities between ocs and our own characters are okay (Heck,similarities cannot be avoided! Nothing is 100% "new" under the sun!) but too many uncanny similarities ( including a lack of diverse elements between written background-stories) will be considered an attempt at creation theft. (Unless you're aiming for cheeky satire in the context of "Original character,do not steal!" as well as freely distributed memes! That's fine!) You "can" write fan fictions or draw fan-arts of our preexisting characters without permission so long as you're not profiting monetarily from it (Unless it's a commission of modest payment between you and a patron) and are honest about your inspiration. Just be courteous enough to list us somewhere in the credits!
In other words, I’d ask that no one monetizes upon these ideas to make a profit on a much larger scale (Aka creating film adaptations,television series,comics,cartoons,action figures,etc.) without express consent from both myself and Alexander McLean. (And we "both" must agree to any "deal" being presented)
Lastly myself & Alex retain the rights to use our characters. You can do whatever you want (satirical or serious) with your own ocs and spin off fan fictions and we will just consider it "another reality" among a multitude of "infinite earths". However "we" maintain the right to continue to draw our characters,write stories for our characters,create new characters in our canon,redesign/rewrite/reboot all our characters,and earn monetary gain from our characters/core canon franchise if such opportunities arise. I know what happened to Jack Kirby and anyone who tries to put us in a similar compromised position can fuck right off!
"Readings" and "character critiques" via streaming video/streaming audio.
Doing "readings" of my stories and giving "character reviews/critiques" of my characters or Alex's are permitted so long as credit is given. This is one time I'd make an exception for people making a profit off our work as I'd consider this "free advertising". I know those who recite stories or do character criticisms on youtube (And similar media platforms) often have patreons or other means to procure income which in this case I have nothing against.
Such people can be kind or completely go into roast mode! All we ask is any criticisms focus on our works and never stray into the realm of untrue slander or defamation of character. (Aka, I realize scantily clad big booty wenches are not everyone's cup of tea but trying to insinuate what I draw or how I draw it makes me a misogynist (woman hater) or dangerous pervert is a false equivalency and will be treated as such.)"
~Ben Sprague (Broken,nightsavior)