Thief!

[Seraph]

You know, Seraph sounds like the one to ask about this. Maybe have a contract stating the trade must be in original art, and that if they don't pay-up, they can't use the art you traded them? This sucks, but look at it this way, you have talent and she doesn't!

Hehehe, I saw this thread and actually had a flashback to an incredibly similar situation. I had artwork on DA that someone posted on photobucket, claiming it was theirs. Simple submission of a copyright complaint to Photobucket got it removed.

The interesting thing about this is that she claimed to use a premade base. Ask her for proof of this base, a link to it or whatever. If she can't provide it, then you know for a fact she's lying. I'll say one thing though, I did some Google searching and I can't find hide nor hair of one.

Also, yes. Someone mentioned TinEye. Great, GREAT tool to use.

[PepperElf]

I saw one artist who actually got in big trouble over her stealing. Beyond simply posting stolen art to DA, she actually had the gall to PHYSICALLY copy someone else's art and enter it in a contest as her own.

What's more, the contest actually requires that you sign a consent form stating that the artwork is your own.

Nothing like having your award revoked when the original artist sees it and files a complaint. Especially when you were dumb enough to even copy the POEM that was on the original painting too.

here

and on top of that, the original painting was better anyway

[Clover]

I just don't get why people keep stealing or tracing other people's work. Do they really think that stealing makes them a good artist? It doesn't.

I'm asking her to link me to the page that had the bases, so far I haven't found it and I'm rather unhappy about it.

[Gizmo]

Two FYIs here: Google have started a Tineye style search now that brings up similar images. I think I found out about it on another thread here on GS. So far it at least matches Tin eye and has identified a couple of things for me from images.

Second a friend told me that some of his stuff was taken from DA and was actually being sold as posters in Russia! :0 DA actually prosecuted them for him (according to him anyway).

[Clover]

Two FYIs here: Google have started a Tineye style search now that brings up similar images. I think I found out about it on another thread here on GS. So far it at least matches Tin eye and has identified a couple of things for me from images.

Second a friend told me that some of his stuff was taken from DA and was actually being sold as posters in Russia! :0 DA actually prosecuted them for him (according to him anyway).

One of my friends on deviantart (mentioned earlier on here) had one of her tribal animal designs stolen and used for wall decals by a company-she sued, but didn't really get anything at all from them but a promise they'd recall and get rid of the stock they had, and not use her design anymore. Also I think someone got fired from submitting her design.

And another company took one of Bri-Chan's disney princess drawings and sold t-shirts and stuff of it, and the whole of the Disney company backed Bri up in kicking their asses. Sweet, sweet justice, delivered by a mouse wielding a tire iron and lawyers.

[Ironclad Alibi]

After reading this discussion, I have to ask a question about my avatar. It is a part of a larger painting/print that I cropped and reduced to use for my avatar.

Should I change it to something original or public domain?

[Clover]

After reading this discussion, I have to ask a question about my avatar. It is a part of a larger painting/print that I cropped and reduced to use for my avatar.

Should I change it to something original or public domain?

I'd suggest so. Using avatars and such of images that belong to specific artists is a pretty big no-no.

[Kogarashi]

My own theft stories are tame. Twice now I've had people on DA post my work in their galleries claiming to have drawn it themselves. Both times, it was really old work of mine, rather than my nicer, newer work. Both times, DA took it down pretty quickly once I notified them. If you're going to steal my stuff, why not at least show some taste and steal the nicer stuff?

And I don't think I will ever understand the art thieves who, when called on their theft, start pitching a fit and claiming, "OMG how dare you call me a thief, [Artist] stole it from meeeeee!" Nevermind that not only does the original artist have actual descriptions for their picture while the thief has "Haha lol a picture I drew" as the entirety of the picture description, but the post dates on the pieces are clearly visible, and Artist beat Thief by a good five years.

After reading this discussion, I have to ask a question about my avatar. It is a part of a larger painting/print that I cropped and reduced to use for my avatar.

Should I change it to something original or public domain?

I generally suggest just contacting the artist (if possible) to ask their permission. As an artist personally, I don't mind if people use my art for forum avatars (so long as they're not actively claiming credit), and most other artists I know don't mind that either. It's flattering, and most sensible fourm-goers understand that the art in any given member's avatar may not be that member's own work.

Theft, on the other hand, is just annoying (and potentially damaging).

[Ironclad Alibi]

Thank's for the feedback. I have changed my avatar for a public domain image of the same scene.