SUPPORT YOUR ARTISTS IN THIS DIGITAL AGE!

Read for how to protect your art/learn about what people MIGHT to with your images if they arent protected! D:







I'm not sure many of your are aware, but Art theft is becoming a bigger problem lately. It's grown so much that it's even happened to a few friends of mine, and it's only getting worse. ;w; Read on for horrible Art theft news:

and I were talking, and she informed me about this private server for the popular MMORPG "Ragnarok" (which I love) and that their website was using her art. Not only did they use her work without permission, but they edited them awfully and change colors. They also removed her watermark, signature, and whatever else that would signify that it was made by CHEX.

If you would like to update yourself on her situation, you can read her journal here: [link]
Also, if you have the time you should glance at the forum post she made and how brutally she was flamed for asking nicely if they could remove her work. What disappoints me is that even a GM accused her of just claiming to have placed the "Do not alter/redistribute without permission" text in her signature, only AFTER she realized it was stolen. Dx (Which, is completely untrue as she ALWAYS has the text in every deviation she makes)

Now, this server "FeelRO" is probably using other copyrighted work. If any of you find work that seems familiar/you actually know who originally drew it; please contact the respective artist immediately! We cannot leave these thieves run rampant around the interwebs thinking they can get away with stealing art that people poured their heart and hard work into.

Some people think that just because art is posted on the internet, they have the right to use/alter it however they want. This is untrue. deviantART policy even states that "You should not assume that the image isnt copyrighted" or something along those lines.

More disappointing art theft: [link]

If you read Chex's other journal, she discovered about a guy named "John" who steals RO fanart on dA, edits them, and sells them to other people for $40+ !!
I quote ~Yanilyn's journal entry:

"His Website >> [link]

Beware of John, who uses Ragnarok Online artworks without permission and gains profit from it by selling them to private RO servers for their websites. Here's the link to his forum, RO-Solutions: [link]

I was informed by my friend that some RO server was using my artwork and asked if I granted permission to use it. They were using this artwork for their banner [link]

I immediately contacted their admin to at least credit me for the work or else to put it down completely and got a reply from her saying:

"Hello yanilyn, i really didn't know it was your artwork, i asked John from ro solutions [link] to make me a banner that matches my site and i paid $40 dollars for it. In the end i will be the one wasting money."

So I'm warning you all RO artists that people like John may be stealing your works and getting profits from it, ripping off clients for stolen work!

~Yanilyn

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Art theft is widespread, and is not limited to private servers/games/whatnot. It's everywhere nowadays. So what could you do to help each other as artists? Do the right thing! Credit each other, ask permission, and most importantly: REPORT ART THEFT ISSUES DIRECTLY TO THE ARTIST.
Most artists are unaware that their art is being used elsewhere because the thing about displaying your work online is that it can be seen by almost everyone-- And therefore it can be STOLEN by anyone, anywhere, anyhow et cetera. So spread the word to other willing artists by making your own journal, or linking back here or to Chex's journals. ^^

TO ARTISTS WHO NEED TO PROTECT THEIR WORK:
Watermarks and signatures on the image itself are fine, but the Creative commons License (Available as an option when you upload work) assures that your art is copyrighted, and is solid proof that the art is indeed yours and that others have no right to use it (There are options about the different licenses as to how your image is allowed to be used).

Also, adding the © sign to your artist comments will help. The following format is what's recommended, but fee; free do add more necessary details:

ART © Kallie, 2009 So basically just, ART © 'Your name', 'Year'.

*EDIT* How to report art theft on photobucket: [link]
_{Contributed by ~juhaihai. Thanks again! :3}

I hope you're all keeping safe. :3 We artists have to stick together and prevent Art Theft from getting worse that it already is. 8D Be wary of the ignorant people out there, and keep your heads up! We do not have to sink to their level and talk back when they flame us for only doing what is right. Speak the facts and the whole truth and hope that Images are used only where they're supposed to be used. ^^