#63 of the CPP line up is Cafe.........perhaps there could be a Graphic Cafe with coffee pots that look like this.
I have a little story to tell....... so if you have the time grab a cup and come along......or come back later when you do have time to read this post.
I debated about telling this story but in the end decided it need to be shared because it is relevant to all artists at all levels and it could be happening to you!
So here goes..........
Last week, I was in a local quilt shop where I noticed a couple of samples on display for the purpose of a class. I immediately recognized the designs as belonging to an artist on the other side of the world. I questioned the shop owner (not a staff member) The owner, about the class , he told me that Ms.________ had brought these in and would be teaching this class. I asked him if he knew if she had obtained permission from the artist to use her designs/patterns.........his response to me was to shrug his shoulders and say "oh she got them off the internet somewhere"
Now you need to know that you could purchase (from the artist) an e-book for a ridiculously low price. It is filled with patterns, detailed step by step instructions for her technique, lots of photos and very specific material requirements..............tremendous value for the money. In the e-book she does clearly state that you are NOT to share this with friends, family or guild members etc...........because while you may save them a few dollars, it could potentially cost the artist many, many more in lost revenue.
So, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I needed to contact the artist and inform her of the situation. I have given her the shop's contact info and hopefully she will be able to have a good resolution to this matter.
Why do some feel that it is quite okay to profit from some one else's hard work? I guess they figure that because they are separated by an ocean and thousands of miles, who is going to know the difference.
All art forms are copyright protected which means that there can be NO publication, duplication, or file copying/storing for any use, personal, charitable or commercial in any manner without the express written permission of the artist.
Just a couple of days later, I was contacted about my designs being used without my knowledge or permission. While it was a "not for profit" situation, I did have to request that she remove the post, delete any files she had stored containing my work and remind her about copyright protection. She was apologetic and I believe has complied with my request.
If you see this sort of thing, please let the artist know so that they can take appropriate action so that his/her work and ability to market themselves is not put in jeopardy. Remember it can just as easily be happening to you!!!!
The only way to truly protect ourselves from this sort of "theft" is to not put our work out there to begin with...............and that would be a sad, sad day.
In Cyber-space, it is indeed a Small World after all!
18 comments:
Jill that is a sad sad story but it does happen quite often. I have even had someone take my blog name and was very difficult to deal with so I left it. I know it is just a blog name and she could have changed it for another cute name. I love your designs you are a true artist. Thanks for sharing that story and helping to make everyone aware of this that goes on.
So true -- it's not enough even to just give credit -- permission MUST be obtained.
Most of us operate on a shoestring budget and without the meager amount of money collected for our work, couldn't do it at all.
Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but, like most artists, I need cash more than I need compliments. The term "starving artist" does have its roots in truth, unfortunately.
Excellent post!
There is an artist I know who copies flagrantly from whomever she finds on the internet, then sells and makes a living off of it. There was a body of work she had done that I thought she had developed.
One day, I got an Etsy newletter with a link to an artist, and lo and behold, I see where she has gotten her work FROM.
I believe there is a certain segment of the population with no moral fiber; they do these things and see absolutely NOTHING wrong with it. And if it is brought to their attention, you get the mile of excuses, or they just don't care and continue.
Unbelievable.......and sad!
XXOO!!
Anne
This is such a sad thing. However I think it happens oh, too often. We all can take good care of each other in the world by being good and honest. I hope you have a great weekend!!!
Love your carafe!!!I would love to have an actual one just like it!!!:>)
I think your post is invaluable -- we are a community, and we need to watch out for each other. Thanks for taking a stand and doing the right thing -- we all benefit!
LOVE the carafe -- a pottery designer should make this into an actual carafe! (with your permission, of course!)
Diane
Thanks for posting your story. As you know, I doodle ALOT and used to put it on my site. I had to remove them because someone was using them. Yes, a sad story.
The saddest part of all this is the people that need this info are the last ones to read it and abide by it. Such is life, the good always suffer for the bad. So sad.
I have seen it time and time again in quilt guilds! I am so very careful to design our blocks of the month myself, so as to not steal from another person's works! It is at the least, common courtesy to not take from others.
Besides that, if I have EVER wanted to use someone's pattern or design for a guild thing or even for teaching a class, I have asked and EVERY time, I have been given permission! So kudos to you for letting the artist know!
And that carafe is kewl too. :D
You made a great point and i agree that you should not use someone else work! Great doodling!
Happy sewing!
I for one would be terribly sad not to see your doodles because of somebody taking them and using them for profit. You are the ARTIST and awesome one indeed! Unfortunately this happens to so many and I do think we all keep our eyes open for each other will help. Awhile back Kaaren at The Painted Quilt had found one of her paintings printed into those outdoor flags....she too was bitten. You know your good...when your copied! :-)
It is so sad when people like this spoil it for those of us who just appreciate what artists share with us. If you want to make money from something, it should come from your own creativity. I am so thankful for all the designers who share their abilities with me.
Hi Jill,
I think that you did the right thing. I think that many people in the quilt world bandy copyright / trademark / trade secrets about without really knowing what it means and what the rights and limitations are. It becomes more confusing and complicating when we are crossing borders (like I am doing now!). Sigh.
I love your carafe! Great idea. Thanks for continuing to participate.
YOU GO GIRL!!! Great job you did letting the artist know.I can't beleive that the quilt shop owner did not know this. I have only been quilting for 2 years and I know this.
I think I have been influenced by every teacher I've had, every book I've read, every quilt I've seen, every technique I've tried and every quilter I've met. So all of my quilts are inspired by other artist's styles, block designs, and colour combinations that I have loved. I try to be very careful now to keep track of those influences and give credit whenever I can. But it can be difficult in surfing the internet sometimes to remember where I first saw an idea. I would hope that in this situation the teacher really does have permission (and didn't fully inform the shop owner) and that each student would be required to purchase their own instruction book from the original artist.
It's a longstanding problem in guilds too...the copying of patterns, etc. which takes away money from the designers, and I think that ultimately there will be no one willing to design instructions/patterns because they can't make enough money! We don't want that!
I, too, have been somewhat ripped off.. and it was by a big corporation. I had come up with a design and wrote a commercial pattern for it. I was thrilled to learn from the shop owner who was carrying my pattern that a rep from one of the big sewing companies had asked about and purchased my pattern. She said "don't be surprised if they contact you to license your pattern for one of their new machines!" Not only didn't they contact me ~ they came up with a pattern of their own ~ eerily similar. Now, THEY should know better.
That is a very sad state of affairs. Tsk-tsk. I hope that so-called "artist" feels like the fake that she is. By the way, I am out of town and won't get my mail until May 6, in case you were wondering why I haven't mentioned your gift/prize yet.
Good for you..You certainly did the right thing!
Please let us know the outcome to this story...I can't believe the shop owner was not embarrassed!
Inspiration is one thing...copying is just stealing.
Happy Sewing
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