My first experiences with proper art theft. What joy.

[fantine]

Exactly a year ago now, I finished my Alice costume, and happily posted my photos of me dressed up in it on my LJ, Facebook, devART and Flickr. And thought no more of it, they were only of me fooling around afterall.

Today my friend Jo showed me this:

And boy am I mad! I found it on the company's own website: http://www.junkfoodclothing.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product1_10052_10051_-1_14091_14051_11552 I also noticed its sold out.

I sent them this nice little email:

Dear Sir/Madam,

It was reported to me, and I have subsequently checked and confirmed that you have been using my photograph on one of your products: http://www.junkfoodclothing.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product1_10052_10051_-1_14091_14051_11552. The original photograph is displayed on my Flickr account here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/violetgypsy/3313714037/in/set-72157614512508266/.

Having consulted my solicitor, he has confirmed that this is in breech of my copyright as the owner and has advised me I could take the matter further. Before getting involved in a lawsuit with your company I would like to give you the opportunity to settle this matter out of court via recompense.

If I have not received a response within seven days I will put this matter into the hands of my solicitor, where you will be liable for all costs incurred.

Yours Sincerely,
Miss F Wilson

I just hope I can settle this quickly and it doesn't end up in court. I know I'd win any court case (how could I NOT?) its just the hassle. But no way am I gonna be fobbed off either.

Its just so weird that one of my lame photographs got stolen. I'm always mega careful with my artwork, I never even gave a second thought about my photos. And its well weird to think that there are people walking around wearing me o_O

Comments

[xxpaprika.livejournal.com]

wow, that's so surreal to see yourself on a t-shirt! lots of luck sweetie, i hope everything gets sorted smoothly and quickly!

[danceofillusion.livejournal.com]

Wow. I feel so sorry for you! Angry as well that could happen. Good luck with getting it taken care of!

[shalala-go-rawr.livejournal.com]

Wait wait WTF WHAT???!!

That is so crazy and creepy...omg you can tell its totally you. It be one thing if they put the animated version with your pose but Faye thats YOU!!!! O _ o

What so F*ucked up about this is if it was the other way around they would be on your ass and try and sue you out of the yin yang. But I guess because your just a "normal person" with a fan creation its okay to steal your stuff.

Dumbasses.....

[queenalice.livejournal.com]

I know, its just so surreal and creepy! And to think of people walking round wearing it too!

Hopefully though soon they'll know they picked the wrong "normal person" to steal from! Makes you wonder though, I can't be the first person they've stole from, I wonder how many times they've done it in the past and got away with it!

[sheerpoetry.livejournal.com]

Seriously? Like wow!

Good luck with getting everything settled!

[lepetitchanteur.livejournal.com]

I really hope you're able to settle this. It's kind of ridiculous they'd try to use the image by swapping around which hand you're holing the cup in, etc and think they're not going to get caught.

[queenalice.livejournal.com]

I know, did they seriously expect me to just think "Oh well thats not me, its the opposite way round!" when everything lse is spot on the same? The whole thing is just so absurd!

[modernspace.livejournal.com]

wow u looook like alice!!!!! I LOVE IT<3333333
jealous!

[sophiatrixx.livejournal.com]

O___o; woah. I happened to see this tshirt tonight off their website and thought of you, but didn't realise it actually was you! My god, they are idiots. I'm glad Jo gave you the heads up and that you're going to tell them off/sue/hassle their asses.

[queenalice.livejournal.com]

I know, its just so weird, especially with it being quite a big company, you'd think they'd know better!

[rose-freckles.livejournal.com]

I'm actually speechless with regards to this...just wow. It must be surreal to see yourself on a t-shirt, but at the same time the way its come around would p!ss me off big time. I really hope it gets sorted for you.

[queenalice.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's a very weird feeling, especially with it being a proper, rather large company who's done it, I'd of expected them to know better than to steal images. I just hope I don't actually see anyone wearing it, that'd proper weird me out!

[graanois.livejournal.com]

NGL, this entry made my mouth drop a little. How incredibly fucking bizarre and shocking! Especially since Junk Food is a pretty big clothing line (I actually have a few shirts from them; last time that'll happen though!). It makes no sense at all to me that one of their graphic designers would steal a photo of you and make it into an - honestly - hideous t-shirt.

I hope it doesn't go to court for you, anyway. :/ It's more of a pain in the ass than most people would think (my mom was sued by a client and although the case was obviously frivolous, they were stuck doing depositions for TWO YEARS, not even actual trial; they finally just settled). With such blatant copyright infringement though, I'm sure this company will panic and pull down that t-shirt for you asap.

[queenalice.livejournal.com]

I know, when I first saw it I thought someone had made it for themselves using Zazzle or something, I was shocked when I found out it was a proper company! It looks like a kid made it on Photoshop.

I really hope it doesn't get dragged to court, I just can't be bothered with all the hassle it brings. I'm hoping they'll just mail me back saying "Sorry, we won't sell it anymore, heres some money" but I highly doubt it will be that simple and I'll be incredibly shocked if it is. But if it does escalate theres no way I'll let it drop.

[romanticballet.livejournal.com]

I.AM.SO.PISSED.

HOW THEY COULD FUCKING DARE TO THINK THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH THAT MAKES MY BLOODY BLOOD BOIL.
I hope that you get all you deserve from this Faye; that is not only an invasion of privacy, but the IDEA that they thought they could have gotten away with that and not think of the artist pisses me off.

[kelsigrint.livejournal.com]

oohhhh my god. that is just downright disturbing. i mean, i've always been nervous about putting my photography online (especially my disneyland stuff) cause i wouldn't want people to claim my pictures as their own, BUT THAT'S YOUR FUCKING FACE THAT SOMEONE STOLE.

[megzchyna.livejournal.com]

Wow Faye, I can't believe people. I hope you get to settle this, it makes me think again about posting pictures online.