To all members, art theft warning

[hcvegas]

Once again it happened and it's worse this time. I've been given information by a fellow elvis fan about pictures of mine and this time other tcb members work being sold on ebay by ebay seller harumscarum. Link to ebay pages of my work and other members being sold by harumscarum68: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/harumscarum68_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

Ebay seller harumscarum68 used to go by the ebay seller I.D. alanchave68. I have an a pretty good idea who this is and am taking action with ebay.

:angry::angry:This is the most blatent theft of all and this time it was pages of my work being sold instead of one or two. Unfortunetly this is probably the final blow and will stop me from posting colorized Elvis pictures. I will create Elvis pictures by request for Elvis fans that I know only now. I put in allot of time to create these pictures for free and I have been burned too many times now. I will remove all my images from the gallery starting soon. Thanks for all the great Elvis fans and hoped you enjoyed some of the pictures.
Chavez

[hounddog]

I'm sorry this has happened to you again Harry. Go get them.

[Getlo]

Er, there's just one little thing you've forgotten here.

You've used other people's photos and "art" (some of which is still copyrighted) to make your own stuff, so to complain about others ripping you off is a tad disingenuous.

"This is the most blatent theft of all" - let's not go that far. ;)

Sorry, but once you put stuff like this on the Net, it's all fair game. And with all due respect to your skills as a colourist (which are admirable), it's hardly creating something completely original.

[Cliff]

Er, there's just one little thing you've forgotten here.

You've used other people's photos and "art" (some of which is still copyrighted) to make your own stuff, so to complain about others ripping you off is a tad disingenuous.

"This is the most blatent theft of all" - let's not go that far. ;)

Sorry, but once you put stuff like this on the Net, it's all fair game. And with all due respect to your skills as a colourist (which are admirable), it's hardly creating something completely original.

Point of order here. Harry is not profiting from his creations whereas this other guy is. He is using other peoples skills to make money.
Perhaps if you feel so strongly about the copyright of other people photos you should stop posting pics to TCB Gallery as I suppose we all should.
You say Harry's skills are admirable and then you go on to deflate him by saying his work is hardly original. Nice call!!!
I will agree that you are fair game on the Net. But let's give the guy a break and have a little compassion.

[Tommy]

Let's not make an argument out of this. I am so sorry Harry, I so enjoy everything you have done. (y)

[franny]

I'm sorry this is happening to you again :sad: Isn't your name on your work?
How can they sell it on ebay when you have your name on it? Can you copright it or?

I hope ebay can do something for you...
It's too bad you will be removing your pics, they are beautiful! :notworthy

franny

[4THEHEART]

sorry to hear that..but,e-world enables such foolishness..well, someday I may too, meet my own drawings on ebay..:blink:

[Getlo]

Point of order here. Harry is not profiting from his creations whereas this other guy is. He is using other peoples skills to make money.

Point taken, but profits were not any part of my statement above. If the other guy is selling these for money, then he's probably a bit of a jerk. But, as I said, once this stuff is out there for all to see, then it becomes fair (and sometimes not-so-fair) game.


You say Harry's skills are admirable and then you go on to deflate him by saying his work is hardly original. Nice call!!! .

Yes, his skills are very admirable: some of his pictures are great, some not my cup of tea.

And yes, if you want to be technical, they are originals (ie first done by Harry).

But please re-read my original statement: "it's hardly creating something completely original". Key word in bold.

That was not meant to deflate, and I hope Harry didn't take it that way. He uses pics that already exist and modifies them. Which is fine by me, and fine overall.

But could not the original photographers (or authors of the books/magazines where the pics were taken from) make a similar argument about how their work is being used by him (profits aside)?

[Leroy]

I have to admit, Getlo does have a very strong point here....

[Diane]

Whether any picture is up for grabs on the internet or not, profiting from someone's else hard work is plain dirty.

If you choose not to submit anymore of your pictures here Harry, I will sure miss seeing them as you do a wonderful job.

Diane

[dstrattenfan]

Point of order here. Harry is not profiting from his creations whereas this other guy is. He is using other peoples skills to make money.
Perhaps if you feel so strongly about the copyright of other people photos you should stop posting pics to TCB Gallery as I suppose we all should.
You say Harry's skills are admirable and then you go on to deflate him by saying his work is hardly original. Nice call!!!
I will agree that you are fair game on the Net. But let's give the guy a break and have a little compassion.

WELL SAID!!!!! It is just a shame that an Elvis fan wants to share things with other fans and then is treated like this! Harry, I appreciate what u have shared, I am truely sorry this has happened to you:angry:(n):cursing:

[hcvegas]

Getlo, I can see your points, but I wonder Getlo how you would feel when you put hours of time into pictures (beyond simply colorizing them) and then see someone else profit from them when the intent of the pictures were meant to give the ability for other fans to have Elvis pictures for free who don't have the money to purchase Elvis pics. I saw VegasKing, Tommy and other members work being sold by harumscarum68 or (alan, his other i.d) Also. This is a person who I believe is a member of this group but awaiting confirmation of this.

How would you feel when you contact the person selling your work and you get a email like this:

Dear hcvegas2002,

Your anger is noted as are your threats. I am not afraid of legal action to which you do not have a leg to stand on. You are posting photos for free for fans to enjoy and I'm enjoying selling them. If you wish to squeal to the "commuinity" ... well proceed.
Control of these photos was lost when you placed them in the public domain for free. I have been unemployed since the recession set in. This is my only form of income. I WILL NOT BACK DOWN!
BE HAPPY AND AT PEACE - YOU SHOULD BE SELLING YOUR PHOTOS YOURSELF - AND YOU'RE ANNOYED THAT I DID IT FIRST. If it's commission you are after, we can talk a deal. Do not threaten me or make demands. I AM NOT INTIMIDATED.

I knew the risk putting the pictures up and maybe I was a little naive and had a little more faith in people than I should have. That has changed. I will simply stop creating pictures. Problem solved. A victory for this person (who I will have a postive identity soon)and I hope he enjoys taking advantage of others work. He will not get rich selling the pictures and I take enjoyment in that, but it's just the principal of it that annoys me.
Ebay has been notified and I am awaiting the response. Anyway, to all the other great people on here that posted in support of me, I really appreciate and it's a shame we still have people taking advantage of others. If anyone has any info on this person or can post on other forums on what his is doing, I would greatly appreciate it and hopefully a difference can be made so this person will not benifit off others work much longer.

[Getlo]

Getlo, I can see your points, but I wonder Getlo how you would feel when you put hours of time into pictures (beyond simply colorizing them) and then see someone else profit from them

I'd be pissed off as well. But then again, I'd expect this sort of thing once my "work" was placed on the Net. And there's nothing that I could do about it.


"Your anger is noted as are your threats. I am not afraid of legal action to which you do not have a leg to stand on. You are posting photos for free for fans to enjoy and I'm enjoying selling them."

Obviously, the eBay seller is a jerk and he's having some fun at your expense. But he's entirely correct when he says you haven't got a leg to stand on.

Unfortunately, you did place these pics in the public domain for all to see.

[Merry]

Getlo, I can see your points, but I wonder Getlo how you would feel when you put hours of time into pictures (beyond simply colorizing them) and then see someone else profit from them when the intent of the pictures were meant to give the ability for other fans to have Elvis pictures for free who don't have the money to purchase Elvis pics. I saw VegasKing, Tommy and other members work being sold by harumscarum68 or (alan, his other i.d) Also. This is a person who I believe is a member of this group but awaiting confirmation of this.

Hw would you fill when you contact the person selling your work and you get a email like this:

Dear hcvegas2002,

Your anger is noted as are your threats. I am not afraid of legal action to which you do not have a leg to stand on. You are posting photos for free for fans to enjoy and I'm enjoying selling them. If you wish to squeal to the "commuinity" ... well proceed.
Control of these photos was lost when you placed them in the public domain for free. I have been unemployed since the recession set in. This is my only form of income. I WILL NOT BACK DOWN!
BE HAPPY AND AT PEACE - YOU SHOULD BE SELLING YOUR PHOTOS YOURSELF - AND YOU'RE ANNOYED THAT I DID IT FIRST. If it's commission you are after, we can talk a deal. Do not threaten me or make demands. I AM NOT INTIMIDATED.

I knew the risk putting the pictures up and maybe I was a little naive and had a little more faith in people than I should have. That has changed. I will simply stop creating pictures. Problem solved. A victory for this person (who I will have a postive identity soon)and I hope he enjoys taking advantage of others work. He will not get rich selling the pictures and I take enjoyment in that, but it's just the principal of it that annoys me.
Ebay has been notified and I am awaiting the response. Anyway, to all the other great people on here that posted in support of me, I really appreciate and it's a shame we still have people taking advantage of others. If anyone has any info on this person or can post on other forums on what his is doing, I would greatly appreciate it and hopefully a difference can be made so this person will not benifit off others work much longer.


We are looking forward to hearing this person's name. :mad:

Please take care, and don't let one person ruin what you do for others, out of kindness. I know that's easy for me to say; however, so many people enjoy your work.

Kim

[midnight]

I really have enjoyed your pictures! I hate to think that you are going to stop. Thanks so much for all the hours you have spent on your work. It was so appreciated. You brought Elvis to life for us with each and every picture. So sad to see someone ruin it for everyone! Kim

[dstrattenfan]

I really have enjoyed your pictures! I hate to think that you are going to stop. Thanks so much for all the hours you have spent on your work. It was so appreciated. You brought Elvis to life for us with each and every picture. So sad to see someone ruin it for everyone! Kim

TOTALLY AGREED, 100%:'(

[Cliff]

I have to admit, Getlo does have a very strong point here....

Mmmmm.......Could you point it out for me?

[dstrattenfan]

Mmmmm.......Could you point it out for me?

:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy

[nabelt24]

WOW! This makes me sick! What kind of a freak-show ***** does crap like this?
Harry, you've always been one of my favorites here on TCB-World and I LOVE the work you do. Please stay in touch my friend. God Bless!

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

It is very sad that someone who has joined our community has betrayed the trust of a valued member. Yes you can say once you have placed your work on the internet it is at the mercy of unscrupulous individuals, you would be right. Never the less we can empathise with Harry and the situation he finds himself in.

Couple of suggestions Harry:-

1. Watermark your work.

2. Digitally sign your work.

3. Submit your work in a smaller size/quality to avoid prints being made (see example)

I know that it's undesirable to somehow reduce the quality and plaster watermarks all over your work but you could select those people you trust and e-mail it to them personally thus limiting who has access.

I hope you will continue to produce your excellent work.

[Diane]

Excellent advise Matt(y)(y)(y)

Diane

[utmom2008]

I hope you will continue to produce your excellent work.

Me too!! Your pics look beautiful in some of the YT videos I've made!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)