Comments on: A Grim Case of Copyright Infringement http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/ In-depth illustration tutorials, tips, and video demos Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:57:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Eric http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24709 Eric Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:32:06 +0000 http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24709 I'm not sure if this has happened to me or not. I've posted my work on two websites on blogger and Deviantart. So, if it has or will happen I don't know but, it's good knowing what to do just in case. I was hoping to tell one of my best friends first but, a few people already know. I've just taken the leap into the wonderful world of freelancing. Today, I acquired my business license. (Soon, I'll finally kiss that dish washing job goodbye. Hahahahaaaa!) On a serious note, I really didn't think to look into contacting the copyright office. Although, I did contemplate reading the IRS.org information on filing taxes. As I've never done this before and I need information on what forms to file. Dani, please help. And, thank you so very much for blazing the trail for us. (Well the others may already be freelancers but, I've yet to get my first client and have not a clue as to how to go about doing so. I did however buy the book you wrote about earlier by Micheal Fleishman; "The Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer." Although, I haven't read it yet. I'm gonna start it tonight. Basically, I need info on business etiquette. What to do not only with good clients but, especially the bad ones. And more importantly, how to turn bad situations around so the client and I are satisfied. Any advice will be very appreciated. I thank you and anyone else who would like to answer my queries in advance. ~Eric I’m not sure if this has happened to me or not. I’ve posted my work on two websites on blogger and Deviantart. So, if it has or will happen I don’t know but, it’s good knowing what to do just in case. I was hoping to tell one of my best friends first but, a few people already know. I’ve just taken the leap into the wonderful world of freelancing. Today, I acquired my business license. (Soon, I’ll finally kiss that dish washing job goodbye. Hahahahaaaa!) On a serious note, I really didn’t think to look into contacting the copyright office. Although, I did contemplate reading the IRS.org information on filing taxes. As I’ve never done this before and I need information on what forms to file. Dani, please help. And, thank you so very much for blazing the trail for us. (Well the others may already be freelancers but, I’ve yet to get my first client and have not a clue as to how to go about doing so. I did however buy the book you wrote about earlier by Micheal Fleishman; “The Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer.” Although, I haven’t read it yet. I’m gonna start it tonight. Basically, I need info on business etiquette. What to do not only with good clients but, especially the bad ones. And more importantly, how to turn bad situations around so the client and I are satisfied. Any advice will be very appreciated. I thank you and anyone else who would like to answer my queries in advance.
~Eric

]]> By: Bob A4F http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24612 Bob A4F Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:23:37 +0000 http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24612 Your story reminded me of an experience I once had with an illustrator friend of mine. We were in Boston a number of years ago at a portfolio review. It was sponsored by one of the local ad clubs, a place where young designers and illustrators could introduce themselves and their artwork to art buyers, art directors and the like. As my friend and I were looking through the different portfolios something caught his eye. Curious I followed. There was a young artist there showing off her work to an art director. In her portfolio was a printed illustration my friend had done. She was busy explaining her ideas to this art director when my friend stopped her and began to quiz her about the piece. He asked where she had gotten the inspiration, what kind of medium she had used, etc, etc, etc... The further he questioned her the more uncomfortable she became. Embarrassed, she eventually fessed up that it was not really her art. She looked a bit shaken as she tried to compose herself but nothing compared to the look on her face when my friend explained that HE was the artist who had originally created the piece. He gave her a small lecture as a few of the art directors took notice and then left to her to contemplate what she had done. He was quite a bit more restrained about it then I think I might have been but I'm quite sure that young artist learned a valuable lesson that afternoon. Your story reminded me of an experience I once had with an illustrator friend of mine. We were in Boston a number of years ago at a portfolio review. It was sponsored by one of the local ad clubs, a place where young designers and illustrators could introduce themselves and their artwork to art buyers, art directors and the like.

As my friend and I were looking through the different portfolios something caught his eye. Curious I followed. There was a young artist there showing off her work to an art director. In her portfolio was a printed illustration my friend had done. She was busy explaining her ideas to this art director when my friend stopped her and began to quiz her about the piece. He asked where she had gotten the inspiration, what kind of medium she had used, etc, etc, etc… The further he questioned her the more uncomfortable she became.

Embarrassed, she eventually fessed up that it was not really her art. She looked a bit shaken as she tried to compose herself but nothing compared to the look on her face when my friend explained that HE was the artist who had originally created the piece. He gave her a small lecture as a few of the art directors took notice and then left to her to contemplate what she had done.

He was quite a bit more restrained about it then I think I might have been but I’m quite sure that young artist learned a valuable lesson that afternoon.

]]> By: Jared Bishop http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24609 Jared Bishop Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:59:31 +0000 http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24609 I remember in our history of design and illustration class (or something like that) we looked at designs that were blatantly ripped off from other artists. No one has copied any of my work but I did have someone post an 3D model I did on their website. Someone called me up and wanted to hire me and told me they saw a model I did on this website. So it worked out great for me. I was fun drafting up a letter form the the Law offices of Bishop and Bishop. I remember in our history of design and illustration class (or something like that) we looked at designs that were blatantly ripped off from other artists. No one has copied any of my work but I did have someone post an 3D model I did on their website. Someone called me up and wanted to hire me and told me they saw a model I did on this website. So it worked out great for me. I was fun drafting up a letter form the the Law offices of Bishop and Bishop.

]]> By: Gina http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24603 Gina Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:14:45 +0000 http://danidraws.com/2007/10/30/a-grim-case-of-copyright-infringement/#comment-24603 Yikes! I would also wonder about the legitimacy of the other patterns they were offering. I'm glad you were able to resolve the issue (seemingly) easily. I'd say that's another plus of having an agent. Your post is a good reminder to all of us artists about copyright. I remember illustrator Denise Ortakales giving a great talk at an NESCBWI conference a few years ago about copyright. It really does make a difference to register work with the copyright office in terms of getting restitution and legal fees. Yikes! I would also wonder about the legitimacy of the other patterns they were offering. I’m glad you were able to resolve the issue (seemingly) easily. I’d say that’s another plus of having an agent. Your post is a good reminder to all of us artists about copyright. I remember illustrator Denise Ortakales giving a great talk at an NESCBWI conference a few years ago about copyright. It really does make a difference to register work with the copyright office in terms of getting restitution and legal fees.

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