Apologies for asking about a policy; I wasn't around when it was made so I hope this isn't a sore point. ^^;

I see a bunch of deleted images going back to the "no covers" ToS (e.g. 5761790). While an actual cover might be annoying (covered as it is with title/author text, R-18 markings, etc), why is the policy extended to art that was subsequently used for a cover? If the artwork is publicly posted (as this was on pixiv) and is clean and unblemished, why would it be forbidden? I feel like the two are separate items, one the basis for the other.

Again, I'm sorry if there's something basic (or painful history!) that I'm missing about this policy. And not necessarily asking it to be changed; just trying to understand it.

Thanks!

I also realize I may have both just violated the ToS before I learned of it (sorry!), but provided an interesting example in posting 9428680, which is the basis for 5786734. This is *not* a case of "hey this other image exists that violates ToS", but more I can see why 5786734 would be in violation, but could also argue 9428680 would not be - but that depends on how wide the policy is and what the goals of it are.

(But as before, I wasn't here for whatever led to the policy, so I may be missing something fundamental.)