Vendors will not be allowed to sell AI-generated items at FanX
Sep 5, 2025, 3:14 PM | Updated: 7:48 pm
Sign left on table of exhibitor evicted from DragonCon for selling AI art, Sept. 2025. (Dane Ault/Monkey Minion)
(Dane Ault/Monkey Minion)
SALT LAKE CITY — A letter was sent to vendors attending the FanX Salt Lake Pop Comic & Pop Culture Convention, saying they would not be allowed to bring or sell AI-generated artwork or merchandise, just three weeks before the event begins.
FanX Salt Lake Producer Dan Farr said the new rule was made after a vendor was caught selling AI images at a convention in Atlanta.
“The issue came to light last weekend when a vendor at DragonCon was asked to leave for selling AI artwork,” Farr said.
The rules at DragonCon specifically prohibit AI-generated art at any of the vendor booths. A different artist, who goes by the handle @monkeyminion on BlueSky, claimed they spotted the non-original artwork and brought it to the attention of DragonCon organizers, who eventually asked the vendor to leave.
Tara Necessary’s artwork. (Ray Boone/KSL TV)
“What we’re specifically asking people not to bring is AI generative art,” Farr said. “So basically, using the AI tools to generate art that they’re going to be selling.”
Farr also said art that is part AI and partly created by the artist will not be allowed at FanX.
“We’re looking at just asking artists and vendors just to bring stuff that they’re selling and have it be stuff that they know the origins of,” Farr said.
Although the 2025 FanX convention is not allowing vendors to sell AI images, Farr said the rule could change in the future.
“We don’t plan to allow AI moving forward,” Farr said. “… But AI is constantly evolving, so who knows what the future holds.”
A letter sent to all vendors from the FanX Exhibitor Team stated vendors can get a refund, no questions asked, if they choose not to come to the convention this year.
Matthew Kelley displays his hand made masks at Salt Lake Comic Con FanX at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. (Chelsey Allder/Deseret News)
“If you are unable to adapt to this request, we completely understand,” the exhibitor teams stated. “In that case, we will issue you a full refund for your space, no questions asked.”
Farr said on Friday that he is unaware of any vendors requesting a refund, and so far, vendors have not expressed any problems with the AI rule.
What is AI-generated art?
Farr said he’s heard the problem with AI art for most people is the belief that the art isn’t original work, and sometimes the AI artist doesn’t even know where the art comes from, so it runs the risk of it being plagiarized as well.
According to Studio Art Quilt Associates, AI images are created when an AI generator takes images from the internet and creates art using the AI artist’s words and the images found.
“The only 100% fail-proof way to protect artwork from being used to train AI generators is to not post it online,” Studio Art Quilt Associates said on its website.
Related: Why FanX? Celebrities can still be found in Utah, even though Sundance is leaving
