Question

[Nightflower]

Hey,

I got an email from someone asking permission to use one of my drawings in an "extra credit assignment". Does this sound credible? I know I sound extremely paranoid to ask, but

-I've had someone copy an RPG character
-I've had people take my pictures, alter them with a lens flare or some other cop-out Photoshop filter and claim credit for them.
-I've had a Singapore (Or was it Malaysian?) TV network mistake aforementioned RPG character profile for information for Cybersix, and copied and pasted it on their webpage (Okay, THAT was kind of funny)
-Had more people copy aforementioned RPG character, and several plotlines in stories
-I've actually had a person COPY and PASTE a section from a Batman Beyond story I wrote into theirs and change the names and a few words here and there.

So maybe I'm jumping the gun here (The thing I still can't get over is that there are actually losers who would want to copy ME!) . But what kind of extra credit assignment involves using art from some nobody on the internet?

[Vin]

Originally posted by Nightflower
Hey,

I got an email from someone asking permission to use one of my drawings in an "extra credit assignment". Does this sound credible? I know I sound extremely paranoid to ask, but

-I've had someone copy an RPG character
-I've had people take my pictures, alter them with a lens flare or some other cop-out Photoshop filter and claim credit for them.
-I've had a Singapore (Or was it Malaysian?) TV network mistake aforementioned RPG character profile for information for Cybersix, and copied and pasted it on their webpage (Okay, THAT was kind of funny)
-Had more people copy aforementioned RPG character, and several plotlines in stories
-I've actually had a person COPY and PASTE a section from a Batman Beyond story I wrote into theirs and change the names and a few words here and there.

So maybe I'm jumping the gun here (The thing I still can't get over is that there are actually losers who would want to copy ME!) . But what kind of extra credit assignment involves using art from some nobody on the internet?

Who sent this to you?

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

Since it seems people have been using your stuff before when they shouldn't have, I say do NOT trust this person. As Vince asked, who is this person? Is attached to the people who ripped off your stuff before? If so, say no. Also ask him what this assignment is, and decide your answer from there. But I still wouldn't trust him if he never said what the assignment was in the first place.

....but you should know that if a NEWS station mistakes your art for official art (even from another project) you're a good artist...:D

[Dante Bunny]

Maybe I need to copyright my webpage.

[The Mad Hatter]

Hm. It sounds suspicious, but at least this person has thecourtesy to ask, as opposed to all the other people who just ripped your stuff off. I'd talk to him a bit, find out what the extra credit assignment is, how he plans to use your art, etc.

[happyheathen]

All works are covered by a concept known as 'common law copyright'

Unfortuately, this protection expired upon the public publication of the work.

So - unless granted gov't copyright status - DON'T PUBLISH!!!

(ESPECIALLY ON THE NET)

even copyrighted material is loose - 'Far Side' has never been licensed for Web publication, but that hasn't stopped folks from postiong bootleg strips all over.

If you are serious, either:

Stop publishing your work on the Web

-or-

see a competant 'intellectual property' lawyer (VERY expensive)

[Nightflower]

I know all about the copyright laws, but it doesn't really help- who SHOULD know them are the people who copy :p

I did try to shut my stuff down once because it got so bad...but that didn't last very long. I like people seeing my art. I like people reading my stories. I like it too much, so I guess it's my own fault.

Oh yeah, the email is from a person I've never heard of before, Kayla Whittaker. I emailed her back, and she says her assignment is to find a story/poem/short story to show her Algebra teacher... O_o

Click here for copyright information (http://aimee.wyvernweb.com/copyright/)

[Danielle]

Originally posted by Nightflower

Oh yeah, the email is from a person I've never heard of before, Kayla Whittaker. I emailed her back, and she says her assignment is to find a story/poem/short story to show her Algebra teacher... O_o



Well, she's asking you for a drawing, and that doesn't seem to be the assignment. Besides, there are a zillion and one poems and short stories out there.

I have an idea. Tell her to write her own short story! It stimulates.....uh......well, writing abilities! ;)

[Failure]

Hmm, I hope I'm not too late...

The problem with copyrights, especially loose ones, is they're hard to enforce. It would take a lot of effort to protect your stuff. Of course, you could just threaten them and usually that's enough for them to give it up, but still it's a pain the butt.

Personally, I dont see why an Algebra teacher would ask for a story/poem/short story and like Danielle said, your picture doesnt seem to fall under those guidelines anyway. I'd say not to let her use it, but I guess she could steal it anyway if she wants. So maybe u can tell her she can use it as long as you get credit for it.

[The Mad Hatter]

Just curious, did you ever hear back from the guy? Or did you even e-mail him?

[Nightflower]

Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
Just curious, did you ever hear back from the guy? Or did you even e-mail him?

In the end, I did what Failure suggested, and said she could use my stuff provided she gives me credit for them (As much as I hate plagiarism, I love promotion), and she said that she would. Whether she does or not remains to be seen... but she doesn't seem like she's going to use them on her oh-so-cool Geocities website and say "look at the pretty art I draw!"