My Work is Famous – but stolen!
I’m furious & really sad… I am losing faith in mankind. Yup, I stumbled on the fact that many ‘stores’ are apparently selling my product! They are scamming buyers by using my stolen pictures! It seems my work is famous – but stolen! ‘How dare you! (New updates)
My Precious Ghoul and Witch
Remember these?! They are one of my favourite concrete projects that I made & it must have proliferated the internet. Those are my photos, my steps and my watermark, but that has not stopped the thieves. A recent count (2024) has shown that there are 0ver 220 stores selling what looks like my sculptures!
If you are on the internet you have probably been scammed or at least been tempted to buy something. There are ads everywhere, and google plans to show you what you searched for, it’s not a coincidence. I do shop on the ‘net, quite often so yes, I too have been scammed.
I have been quite sad lately since my lil pup passed away so I have lost a bit of my usual drive and that leads to some mindless surfing on the net. When I googled ‘witch ghoul light‘. I just about fell out of my chair… (And that could be a problem for those new knees that I’ll be getting!)
It looks like I am selling millions of my sculptures all over, Amazon, eEbay, individual sites and even Walmart!
Third Party sellers
How can this happen??? You need to be careful… All the major selling sites have third party sellers. That means that the site owner is at the mercy of the third party seller to be honest in their product. There’s a lot of odd stuff going on under the surface. Also a company can have many stores/names all over the ‘net. It’s impossible to find contacts that work or get a reply. You need to check who the seller is & where they are shipping from. Individual sites are even riskier since they are not trying to keep their reputation clean.
Yes, there are ways to complain, to file ‘Amazon Infringement reports’, or Walmart Intellectual property violations for the use of my stolen pictures.
Spend your time filling in product numbers, contacts for hours… and hours. Then you get some form-letter email replies. What happens? Well, they may take the page down and then wait to see of there is more complaints… I’d have to hire a bunch of people to police this. Just like the ‘5 Minute Crafts’ they eventually sneak some new infringements like we sneak cookies out of the pantry when no one is looking.
No where on this site does it show what you will actually get. All the pictures are my sculptures, not depicting their product.
They even have the nerve to remove my watermark, albeit badly!
One of the most notorious places that these fakes are peddled is through Facebook ads. Check out this story from Buzzfeed. The one thing I will note; is that the scammers do like to pick the best stuff; so I suppose I should feel flattered. ‘But the proper way would have been to ask permission to make them, permission to use my design, let alone MY PHOTOS!
So many artists are upset that there is now a Facebook group: Facebook Ad Scambusters! It ‘outs’ the scam ads alerting would-be buyers.
I’ll admit that my concrete work is all my own unique designs and not some regurgitation from the ‘net since I foremost pride myself as an artist. I also teach in an art college and know that inspiration & reference comes from the internet so easily. ‘But I draw the line on blatant exact use of others images! I am so shocked that these companies believe that using my unique pictures as their own is acceptable.
I know it’s pretty easy to snipe images off of the web, screen shot them. ‘They’ even cut them out of my picture and place them in different backgrounds.
There are only one of each of sculptures that exist, as I am looking at them right now. They are HUGE, about 18″ tall, made of concrete & quite heavy. The details are fine from the handy-work of the dipped fabric.
So what do you get?
There were a few sellers who actually included a ‘real’ picture of what would arrive by mail (if it does). Read closely; these are ‘fit-in-your-hand’ tiny! Mine are concrete, and their’s are resin (or plastic). There may be some battery light inside.
One of my readers informed me of all this a while back since they were fooled that it was actually my designs being sold… I reassured that I could not make these to ship, especially for the prices stated. It was confusing since they used my stolen pictures.
Once they arrived they looked like this. (thanks, not everyone likes to admit that they got scammed) Maybe they are worth the little money. I try to imagine someone somewhere trying to copy exactly from my pictures… and I’d say they lack the true character that mine have.
Such sad little imitations! I am sure it’s not the first and surely won’t be the last, however it leaves a really bad taste in the mouth for future projects. I share my projects freely – which I am starting to question.
Come on, give me some faith in mankind.
UPDATE: Copyrights have been filed and I am patiently waiting to see what the outcome will be to a new process to stop further use of my images, wish me luck! ‘And please do not buy what you thought was my ghoul or witch!
I’m so sorry Barb. This happens to a bunch of independent artists, sometimes even with big companies like Urban Outfitters totally ripping off their products. It’s obnoxious to put a watermark over your own images just to protect them, but sometimes that’s all you can do.
Not everyone sucks, just a reminder.
Yes, will eventually get back into the swing of ‘making’ and the happiness it brings me. I just don’t want anyone to think they are actually getting my work if they buy from those scoundrels!
I am absolutely disgusted how the y can rip you off, steal your pictures etc.? Can you not threaten them with a lawsuit?
Surely something can be done? Complaint through Facebook that it is unauthorized use of your pics & tarnishing your name possibly too.
I feel for you and just admire the work you do and the creativity you hold, It is beautiful to see your works.
I wish you the best and hope they haven’t steered you away due to their blatant thieving.
God Bless XXX
Mary From Oz
Thanks for your support. I had consulted an intellectual property lawyer and although I am in the right, trying to sue other countries becomes really problematic. There’s many aspects of the web that could stop me in my tracks but so far I persevere. I am almost weary to search too much…
Barb I am so sad for you – especially since you freely share your art and creativity with anyone who is interested. I am sure you feel violated. I think the only thing we can do to help you is to post on FB a comment which states that the item was created by you and that what is for sale is a forgery and DO NOT BUY from the company. I feel it is a small way we can help you. I will be keeping an eye out for posts like these. I hope you are doing a little better after losing your fur baby.
Barb,
This is sad, and I would bet my neck that they are mostly (if not whole!,) coming out of China. China is the stolen IP paradise of the world and the Chinese are masters at copying everything and anything! They are very good at reproducing, copying and imitating, even artwork that can pass for original.
Amazon and Walmart don’t care about IP infringement, all they care about is making their cut on the sales. There’s a reason why Walmart has been nicknamed “Chinamart.”
And there are also plenty of websites that sell counterfeit everything, and show you pics of one thing and what you get, (when you get it!,) is nothing like the photo shows… then, they will try to convince you to accept a discount, a partial refund, etc. Most of these websites come and go, like mushrooms after the rain! Up today with one name, gone tomorrow, to just reemerge under another name, maybe with a different template, but same merchandise, same products.
It’s the world we live in. DIYers love your projects and would not steal from you. SIYers (Scam It Yourselfers) on the other end, won’t think twice!
Hope you find comfort in knowing how many people love your work and how many are grateful that you share your projects and instructionals graciously for free.
Good hearts don’t die; scammers never had one to start with!
I’m really sorry you have been scammed so badly. I really enjoy reading and watching your work. I have found it inspirational. I had never even thought about this kind of art before but have found your advice and ideas have helped me develop my own ideas. Don’t give up on humans we’re not all money grabbers. I too have been scammed which has taught me to be very careful but hasn’t stopped me buying just careful of the origins of products.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas.
Scamming, stealing etc is as old as mankind itself. I feel sorry or rather angry on your behalf. But do not give in to those copycats – else they win!
The worst thing is, if they make someone think you actually made these horrid imitations – yours are so much better! Hopefully people hwo think of buying them will go here and learn how to make them themselves instead!
I too share freely, knitting recipes, soaping tips and tricks and recipes. How to’s on tea bag folding –almost everything, I make, I tell how I did. I am ferociously for the sharing of knowledge. Do what makes you happy, and post a disclaimer now and then – or a link to this post in the top of your page … an “I’m not selling anything” tab, maybe?
Your pinned tab idea is great! And repeated posts condemning this practice.
Wow, I didn’t even know this kind of fraud was happening on such a massive and organized scale. I’m so sorry, your work is amazing and your generous spirit in sharing your process, your vision and your ability with us has been such a blessing.
We are also dog lovers and know the deep pain of losing a precious fur-baby family member. Each one has brought such joy, personality and love into our home. I hope that the memories of your loved pet becomes more sweet than painful, I still shed tears for mine when a memory hits me the wrong way. They leave but their love never seems to go.
Blessings, and thank you for sharing this today, we are all cautioned by this tale. Maureen
Since it was my first pup I never expected how much it would affect me. He was a one-person pup; a velcro dog as they call it, so it feels like I lost a limb. 😢
I lost my 13 and 17 year old pittie babies 8 and 10 years ago and I still haven’t been able to start over with a new dog, it hurts too much. Sending love.
Unfortunately, artistic poaching has been going on forever in different ways: think of all the black singers and songwriters who lived in relative anonymity while Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc…whitewashed their songs and got rich. I’m sure they felt the way you are now feeling.
I think doing an image search on a product before buying would be so helpful. I have heard that TinEye is a very good one that is free, although I haven’t tried it. In the meantime plop yourself right in the middle of any new project photos holding a sign that says “I made this not you”!
I completely understand! ‘On all counts! It is too quiet without a fur-baby. I put marks on all my pictures and they erase them. You’ve got a good idea!
I just happened upon your site and love all the varied projects that you have created. I’m sure I’ve seen these concrete designs on Pinterest many times (as I’m constantly pinning Halloween stuff!) and I was so sad to see that your original and amazing one of a kind idea had been ripped off! Maybe you could go to a news outlet to raise awareness? I’ve seen articles about similar things happening, might give people a heads-up to do a little research on where products they’re buying are oroginating if you don’t have any real legal recourse. Good luck and keep creating!
Yes, it’s very infuriating but I don’t wan to dwell on the negative; there’s only so much energy & it’s used for positive creating. I think ‘5Minute Crafts’ has lost some ground.
Hi Barb,
My condolences for the loss of your pup.
Oscar Wilde said “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
Judy
Well said!
Hi Barb,
I’ve been meaning to write you for ages to thank you for your generosity in sharing all your ideas. I love your blog and especially anything you do with eco- printing. I am so very sorry that someone abused your generosity and stole your ideas for their profit.,That is despicable, and especially awful that they are creating such poor imitations.
I do sincerely thank you for your wonderful blog and for sharing your ideas.
Mary
Wow, thanks for letting me know.
Dear Barb, I am so sorry to hear of this. I happened to stumble upon your website when early on in the pandemic I was looking for a pattern to make my own face mask that was more than an ill-fitting rectangle stuck to my face. Your free (!!!) patterns and instructions were the best. Then, through what has been a heart-breaking year for my family, your imagination and creativity have been awe inspiring and a respite from the insanity engulfing us. I have looked forward to every one of your posts ever since. At least one hopeful sign is that the pandemic has made us aware of just how much evil surrounds us. ‘Scoundrels’ is much too polite a term for these people. I truly hope that you get some justice.
I am seeing how much support everyone has for me; that is heart-warming! I am very blessed!
Very sorry about loss of your fur baby. I like to believe that my fur babies pass over the rainbow bridge and wait for us there. A day with sunshine and rain is a reason to look up and remember the unconditional love they give.
My thoughts are with you-