Giving credit where credit is due...

[grumpybear1031]

Okay, for those of you that know me fairly well this post may seem a bit out of character, as I usually just go with the flow, but it has recently been brought to my attention that artwork made by various artists including myself is being used in other media or posted on websites without credit or consent. This is not cool... Some artists spend hour upon hour creating these graphics and would appreciate being asked before their work is used in other media or reposted. Why is it that the graphic artists aren't getting the same respect you would give a fanfic writer? You would never think of reposting a fanfic without permission or credit so why is it no one has a problem with reposting art all over the net without permission or even at the very least credit? In most cases all it takes is a quick email or PM to ask "Hey can I use this on my Myspace or Twitter or in my video?" Nine times out of ten the artist is going to say yes.

Since I make them for people to use, I don't have a problem with people using my icons however they want as long as they aren't taking credit for creating them. I do, however, have a problem with some of my other work being posted all over the net on sites without credit where it is inferred that the poster created the work or it can be mistaken for something it is not. The main reason I bring this up is it was pointed out to me that my first Venice poster was posted on a social networking site where it was never stated that it was a work of fan art NOT an official poster for the series and from some of the comments it seems that's exactly what people think. I personally do not want Crystal, Kimmy or Hope pissed off at me because someone else is posting my stuff without specifying it was fan art. That poster in particular was done before any cast members were even announced and was billed a "fantasy" poster.

Don't get me wrong this is in no way just an Otalia or Venice problem it happens all the time in just about every fandom, for some reason people seem to feel graphic artists don't deserve the same respect or consideration that fanfic writers receive.

So please if you are going to repost or use someones art just take a few minutes and drop them a line to ask if it's okay and how to credit and if by chance they say no, respect their wishes. Besides, you never know you might make someone's day because really, who wouldn't be flattered that you like their work enough to want to use it. Feedback is the only reward most of us get from doing this.



Thanks for listening,
grumpybear (Jen)

P.S. Please forgive any grammatical, punctuation or spelling errors I'm writing this at 4:30 in the morning.

Comments

[tristianmakhai.livejournal.com]

Christ, you're the second person on my Flist that's had this happen, and what gets me the most is between you and Pink Rabbit, I can't think of two more distinctive artists out there. Okay, plagiarists aren't exactly known for their creativity, but what about intelligence? I mean, come on, you steal the most unique artwork out there that people will recognise immediately by style and think you'll fool anyone? [shakes head] Disgusting bastards.

I am so sorry this happened to you. Considering the time and effort you put into making these absolutely extraordinary graphics and images, and some bloody idiot steals them? Unbelievable.

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

Yeah a good part of the reason I made this post was because of what happened with Pink Rabbit. She puts far more time and effort into her work than I do and she deserves to be asked before someone uses her work.

Normally with my stuff I say oh well, not much I can do about it. However when it was pointed out to me how many different places that Venice poster was re-posted I did get a bit upset especially since it seems some people now mistakenly think it is an official poster for the show.

As far as icons go I don't really care who uses them or where they use em...hell I don't even care if the credit me as long is if they get asked who made them they don't take credit.

Anyway thanks for the support..I just felt it needed to be said.

[geekgrrllurking.livejournal.com]

Well said my friend.

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

Thanks..I was tired and irritable and needed to say something..lol

[2headed-turtles.livejournal.com]

It happens in the traditional art world too unfortunately... A good friend of mine has had her drawings traced, and then posted as original work...

Hopefully this reaches the right people eh?

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

I just don't get people sometimes...I know it happens with all forms or art and really, in my case at least this time, it wasn't so much someone taking credit for my work as it was the no credit or even specifying that particular piece was fanart..

[katiepult.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think the two of you should say where who these art thieves are. Not to be vindictive, but so we can POLITELY (being polite is the best way imo) back you by boycotting their site until they make an apology and remove the work from their website.

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

LOL..yeah I guess I decided to go the "no pointing fingers" route this time..lol I couldn't even tell you how many places my stuff is posted or by who..I keep seeing that damn poster everywhere..lol As for the others who have had there stuff used it was in a video.

But I do want to say thank you..the fact that you would have our backs is awesome..I mean really all we are asking for is the same respect show fanfic writers.

[inspectorboxer.livejournal.com]

Not sure we get respect, either. I've seen one of my stories posted on some Buffy site and no one asked for my permission. It pisses me off, so I know how you feel. It's sorta your own fault with that Venice poster, though. That's what happens when you make something that awesome. ;). Seriously, though, I'm sorry to hear this has happened to you and Pink Rabbit.

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

My fault..hmph..I didn't think it would spread like the plague..or swine flu..which I think I have at the moment..I feel like hell. I think anyone that creates stuff and posts it online has dealt with this at some point. There are always going to be those that don't think before doing stupid shit. Yeah Pink Rabbit and Shay both had there stuff used without being asked. \

So how goes the vacation?

[nabba.livejournal.com]

I agree, people take for granted all the work that goes into graphic making. Sorry you're going through it too :(

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

Thanks..hopefully people will get a clue..

[pandora-007.livejournal.com]

Oh Gosh.. im indeed using that same icon you are using on your post at the incandescentfire site.. but i remember that i asked you if i could use.. didn't i??? if i didn't.. im very sorry :-( im changing the icon anyway..

you're a terrific artist.. keep up with the great work..

[grumpybear1031.livejournal.com]

Hey, don't worry about it, I make the icons for people to use wherever they want. You can use them at IF or BPD here or wherever, the problem isn't with people using my stuff for their own use on boards and stuff I expect that. It's when people re-post things so it is assumed they made they made them or use them in their own art and don't give credit or ask if it's okay that's an issue.

In other words use whatever you want on boards and stuff I don't mind if someone doesn't credit me for an icon they are using somewhere, that's not a big deal. But if someone is going to re-post something I made somewhere or use it in their own artwork it would be nice to be asked and to get credit.