http://shop.ebay.com/uzbek_silk_road/m.html
If you go to page 2 of the seller's auctions, you'll notice some familiar artwork, here's one example:
From what I can tell, someone traced over my artwork, added watercolor and then claimed it as their own. Now I've seen my online comics available for download all over the net, even translated in other languages, like Spanish and Russian. But since there's really not much a person can do about that, I'm not bothered by it. In fact, I think it actually provides me with a bit of free publicity.
What irritates me about this particular case, however, is that the auction claims that the work in question is "signed by the artist", a Russian named Popov. Using someone's artwork, coloring it and then claiming it as your own is kind of a sham, I would think.
In any case, ebay has been notified and it's wait and see for now...
I'll let you know how it develops.
As for some "real" artwork, I know it's been a while but I will be posting some new work in the coming days, promise!
Stay tuned...
EDIT: To be fair, I do give the seller the benefit of the doubt, since he or she might not be aware of what Popov is doing. But if you are going to represent an artist, maybe you should make sure he's legit.
DUDE,
ReplyDeleteThat f***ing BLOWS!
I hate plagiarism!
It's one thing if someone is a fan and copies an artist's work to learn/practice. But to then sell work claiming it as your own original? Should be tarred and feathered and run out of town... or the net!
Ugh, that's seriously not Ok.
ReplyDeleteMention it to eBay? Usually I'd chalk up infringements of this sort by Eastern Europeans as impossible to sort out but since eBay is caught up in this there's a path for dealing with it. They could sell elsewhere but one small hit against the artist is still a hit.
Good luck. Im sure E-bay WILL RESOLVE THIS.
ReplyDeleteBasta: ...or maybe the Gulag! ;)
ReplyDeleteTracy: Yeah, the artist is not exactly subtle about his inspiration. ;)
Geoffrey: I'm not holding my breath either.
for me this Popov is a poo or a ¨pupú¨in spanish words
ReplyDeleteWell, that's a pretty asshatty thing to do.
ReplyDeleteOnly found this blog today. What a nice find! :)
Thanks, Jaxtraw. I'm glad you found the place.
ReplyDeleteJesus, that made me laugh! :)
Hi LeMay,
ReplyDeleteBig fan of your work. Came across it rather recently and was wondering where I could read more of your "Twisted Toon Tales" Comics. I haven't been able to find a site as yet.
-Thanks.
That series ended several years ago. However, some of the stories were re-edited for monsterbabecentral.com so that would be your best bet.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mr. LeMay. I LOVE YOUR STUFF! I was wondering, have you thought about branching out a bit? Like, say, an X-rated animated feature? You could do a spoof on the Disney flicks! You could do a movie starring Stacey Future! Or someone from your "Twisted Toon Tales"! Or anything! That is something I would love to see!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill.
ReplyDeleteAnimation is something I never really aspired to get into. Comic books and drawing have always been my passion first and foremost. Besides, cartoon parodies are all over the net so I prefer to do something a bit more unique by creating my own characters and stories.
Animating one of my original characters would be cool, I think, but I'm not there yet... and not sure if I'll ever get to that point.
But never say never...
Hi, Jim. Sorry you won't be doing any animation any time soon. Would've been real cool! Anyway, are you going to put out another comic on monsterbabecentral.com? If so, what's it about and when will it be out? Let me know, ok? Bye.
ReplyDeleteWilliam, check out the latest blog post for a preview of a new MBC project coming in the new year.
ReplyDeleteThanks.