They say that the test for a really successful
Artist is how many people steal from you. Although I do not even derive half my
income from my Art / Photography (Yet) I can find hundreds of images created by
me on the internet hawking products, accenting peoples blogs, selling real
estate, Wallpaper sites, Youtube Videos, Book Covers and online News Magazines.
I have had lawyers steal my images for their websites, Hip Hop stars use my
image for single covers, Rock Stars steal images of local arenas to promote
their concerts.
At first I was fairly oblivious to what was happening. I would find a few here or there and ask for the users to take them down. When I found a Philadelphia law firm stole two of my images I contacted the office. When the Lawyer called me back he was very argumentative and would not let me get a word in. I was willing to negotiate with him but he told me I did not do anything to protect my images. I told him he should know the law better being a lawyer and that you can’t just take images off the internet without ownership or license. He hung up on me.
I decided to do more searching and found a whole bunch of stolen images (Over 500) and I did some research and found Copyrightenforcers.com. They are a company that goes after copyright infringements for you so you don’t have to stress and can get back to doing what you do best “Making Art”. I was proactive and went through my portfolio and doing a reverse image search even though CE will do the same to find infringements because nobody knows my Art better the I. I sent them the URL's and screenshots of the copyright infringements and they are at work finding site contacts and addresses and sending out demand letters for compensation.
I'll keep you posted on my progress!!!!
At first I was fairly oblivious to what was happening. I would find a few here or there and ask for the users to take them down. When I found a Philadelphia law firm stole two of my images I contacted the office. When the Lawyer called me back he was very argumentative and would not let me get a word in. I was willing to negotiate with him but he told me I did not do anything to protect my images. I told him he should know the law better being a lawyer and that you can’t just take images off the internet without ownership or license. He hung up on me.
I decided to do more searching and found a whole bunch of stolen images (Over 500) and I did some research and found Copyrightenforcers.com. They are a company that goes after copyright infringements for you so you don’t have to stress and can get back to doing what you do best “Making Art”. I was proactive and went through my portfolio and doing a reverse image search even though CE will do the same to find infringements because nobody knows my Art better the I. I sent them the URL's and screenshots of the copyright infringements and they are at work finding site contacts and addresses and sending out demand letters for compensation.
I'll keep you posted on my progress!!!!
Below is an image taken by R&B singer for her single cover
This is one of my most pirated images. It seems every folk musician or folk music lover has to have this as their logo.
