I've had my work stolen several times. in early 2011, I saw a painting of a portrait I photographed for a person and it was in a gallery being sold for $2k. Even though the odds of me finding it in a Detroit gallery was a shot in the dark, the artist admitted that he used my portrait as a reference. Luckily I don't really get too emotional over stuff like that and I personally find it a bit flattering.
However, I knew that the painting was an artistic representation and it looked like there was hours of work done to it. It was sold to a private buyer due to the little red dot next to it. I asked to at least mention the name of the Photographer that inspired him to make a portrait of.
That was a very mature way to handle that. Well done.
Now, did it get you any extra business?
I don't think the painting got me extra business. But a little positive word of mouth goes a long way!
I would have sued him. I don't fuck around.
LOL! True dat @nspart! Back then- I was still a little green. The few other times afterward, I took a much more abrasive approach. One person used a shot for a personal blog without siting me. I gave them a kind warning and instructions on how to give me credit with a link to my website. They corrected it. The other used one of my images for a magazine with no permission. He I had to hunt down and ask for compensation because the magazine was already sold in newsstands.That one was a bit ugly. The more recent one is someone trying to use my images for their headshot website and they ended up shutting down the whole operation and paid fines and legal fees. I don't fuck around ether. It really depends on my mood. HAHAHA!
I agree it does depend on your mood lol and if they comply or not. I have had people give me all of their profits as a licensing fee to settle rather than sue before also.
i love that attitude
Great attitude nebcat.
Thank you. I saw it differently because the painting was actually beautiful. I was in awe. The face and composition was all me. The rest was something out of a fantasy illustration by Boris Vallejo. I wish I had my camera or a camera phone that day. At the time I thought the painter was the greater artist. Also I didn't want to cause trouble, especially in Detroit!