Remix / Creator Tier (a new option for people wanting to post/sell digital files)

EDIT: As you read thru this please know: To be clear, because some have asked..... this does not stop my existing members or new members on the $5 tier from customizing these and selling them..... this is about posting digital downloads of remixes. If you are currently remixing my files and posting them for digital download, whether free or for a price, that has never been a license option so this new tier simply provides a path for that type of setup. Literally this should have zero negative affect on $5 members and only a positive for them as it adds new options at the same price. Part of this explicitly states that remixes aren't allowed under separate cost structure - I don't want to nickel and dime my members to death or add more levels of cost.

I want to make a pretty detailed post here because transparency is a big part of my brand. Bear with me this is a long one...

First, I want to clarify something because there’s been some confusion lately:

My current $5/month Patreon tier is for printing and selling PHYSICAL prints of my designs. This is laid out as an agreement in the description of the tier before joining.

Because these things remove me from the designs, It is NOT:

• permission to redistribute digital files

• permission to repost digital files

• permission to publicly upload remixes

• permission to create derivative ecosystems from my work

• permission to create competing merchant tiers or licensing structures

That tier was always intended to support physical sellers — meaning people printing the products themselves and selling the finished physical items.

Lately though, I’ve been getting a TON of requests for remix permissions, especially for themed/logo versions of the cooler holders. Things like:

• tool brands

• sports teams

• gaming themes

• fandom versions

• custom logos

• decorative themes

• color-separated variants

• etc.

I totally understand that Iand I want to support it and not get in the way, but also not loose complete control of the ecosystem.

There are way more ideas out there than I could ever realistically create myself.

I don’t want to become a bottleneck where every possible version has to come directly from me. I would rather focus my time on:

• developing the core platform

• improving compatibility

• creating new accessories

• new textures

• new form factors

• better printability

• better fitment

• better engineering

• and continuing to expand the overall ecosystem

So after thinking through this a LOT, I’m planning to launch a new Creator Remix Tier later today.

The goal of this tier is to support creators while still protecting the core ecosystem and keeping everything organized, compatible, and sustainable long term.

The important thing though is this:

This remix tier is ONLY for cosmetic remixes.

Things like:

• logos

• engraving

• embossing

• textures

• artwork

• themed versions

• decorative body variants

• cosmetic customization

What this is NOT for:

• functional redesigns

• modified lids

• modified locking systems

• modified handles

• modified fitment geometry

• modified interfaces

• “improved” versions of the core product

• competing ecosystems

The reason for that is actually pretty simple:

Once people start changing functionality, I lose control over quality and compatibility.

If somebody uploads a remix with:

• a hinge that doesn’t work well

• a lid that leaks

• a fitment issue

• weak geometry

• poor compatibility

• or some other engineering problem

…people are not going to say:
“that random remix creator made a bad design.”

They’re going to say:
“those animuL67 holders suck.”

That's not good for any of us. At this point I have thousands of people selling these and if I allow functional remixes it could put the product in question and potentially hurt my sellers. I will do everything in my power to support my sellers and maintaining overall control is the best way I can think to do this.

If my products are going to suck, I want it to be MY fault, not because somebody else modified the engineering and put something broken out into the world under the same ecosystem.

A good example is screw-on lids.

I get requests for those constantly and on paper they sound obvious. But in reality, threaded designs introduce all kinds of complications involving:

• printer tolerances

• filament variation

• alignment consistency

Even if designed correctly, different printers and materials can cause the lid to stop in slightly different positions. Suddenly the straw hole is crooked or the logo orientation is off and the whole product starts feeling inconsistent or cheap.

That’s exactly the type of thing I want to reserve for myself to engineer properly instead of opening the floodgates and ending up with twenty incompatible versions floating around.

So the goal here is:

• let creators create

• let the community get cool themed versions

• avoid me becoming a bottleneck

• while still keeping the core ecosystem centralized and compatible

Another really important part of this structure is that existing $5 seller tier members will still be able to sell approved remix versions within the ecosystem.

That is intentional.

I do NOT want sellers needing:

• my subscription and:

• creator A’s merchant tier

• creator B’s commercial license

• creator C’s Patreon

• etc.

That becomes:

• fragmented

• expensive

• confusing

• high friction

• and honestly just bad for the community overall

The goal is:
one seller membership = access to the ecosystem.

That keeps things:

• simple

• affordable

• scalable

• creator friendly

• seller friendly

• customer friendly

Remix creators still benefit because they:

• get exposure

• get downloads

• get recognition

• get to publicly share their work

• get access to the existing animuL67 seller ecosystem

• can personally sell physical prints of their remixes

But remix creators will NOT be allowed to create:

• separate merchant tiers

• sublicensing systems

• competing commercial ecosystems

• layered commercial access structures using my platform

I’m trying to structure this in a way that benefits everybody:

• creators

• sellers

• end users

• and the long-term health of the ecosystem itself

I genuinely think this is the healthiest middle ground between:
“no remixes allowed”
and
“complete chaos.”

One final thing:
I am NOT licensing or authorizing third-party trademarks or logos.

If creators choose to create themed/logo versions involving trademarks, that is entirely their own responsibility and done at their own risk. I am not involved in that process and do not want to be associated with policing or authorizing third-party branding usage.

Anyway — this is the direction I’m leaning and I’ll probably launch the new tier later today.

If you have constructive feedback, thoughts, or concerns, let me know. I’m trying very hard to build something that is:

• fair

• sustainable

• creator friendly

• seller friendly

• low friction

• and beneficial for the entire community long term.

I do not want to make a move that exposes some loophole or puts myself or my members at risk or reduces the value of their membership - the opposite actually- this should increase membership value at no extra cost and provide a clear, low friction path for remixes while protecting the overall ecosystem.

EDIT: You would not need this tier for selling modified versions, the existing tier can be used for that as long as those aren't being publicly posted. Example: you create a version that says Mrs. Smith on it, you can print and sell under the $5 tier. But I'm asking that you do not post that for people to download. If you want to do that then its the new tier.