Hello;
if you look at the Art Show Rules, they say:
"We like artists to display their own characters and creations. If you use other people's characters, you should ask for the approval of the creator. Please avoid the use of characters created by large companies. Again, we do not exclude that content, since it is allowed in the context of parodies or derivative artistic work, but you need to make sure that you don't violate any trademark or copyright laws."So, actually
neither is forbidden, because there are legal situations where the use of copyrighted characters is actually
allowed. Then there is the possibility that the artist actually
obtained permission from the owner to use the character. Some characters may not even reach the necessary
level of creativity to be protected. Also, there are companies that
allow (and even
encourage) the use of their works for fan art.
Even more difficult does it get if they are changed; if you make a Pokemon into an
anthropomorphic figure, is that still the same character, is it sufficiently similar, is it a derivative? What about using a recognizeable
style, which is generally not copyrightable at all but will certainly remind people of the source material?
That means: we cannot reliably judge the legality of a usage situation.
Also, we wouldn't even be able to
recognize 400 different Pokemon (or numerous other characters), especially in
derivative forms, so it is impossible (not to mention undesirable) to police the show for possible copyright violations. It is difficult enough to judge artwork in regard to other rules where the situation is a lot less complicated.
While we cannot realistically ban copyrighted characters altogether, we must still urge
caution and
good judgement, and in general
discourage the use of copyrighted characters or other people's work. Should there be any dispute arising out of your use of creations of others, it is
your sole responsibility to resolve it, since you are the creator, exhibitor, and seller.
Hope that helps with this question