This is not how to swipe like a pro: Black Mermaid Plundered UPDATE
on May 1st, 2012The original painting by Jozef Szekeres.
And the plagiarized copy is here on DeviantArt.
A second piece, also plagiarized from the work of cartoonist Jozef Szekeres is here, cribbed once again by GodAbel on DeviantArt, who responds to accusations of plagiarism with cavalier disregard and laughing emoticons. Notice how Josef’s signature has been carefully removed in the first copy, but in the second, it’s there in the lower right corner.
Repeated requests by the real artist for removal of the piece over the last two days have been ignored.
Tributes and studies are one thing. Posting work like this without any credit to the original artist is another entirely. Especially when DeviantArt has a feature which allows people to buy prints of the stolen art.
Don’t do this.
If you would like to support the actual creators of these mermaid works, check out the comics and art available at Black Mermaid Productions.
How ethical artists use reference.
UPDATE: The art has finally been removed. But not before some ugly email exchanges with Jozef Szekeres where GodAbel accused the real artist of being a big old arrogant meanie.
Let us ponder the arrogance of an art thief whose name starts with GOD.
yeah, way to go moron, plagiarising a well publicized book cover of a character that’s been around about 20 years, doing nothing but changing her hair color. Surely no one will notice!
Only been a member for a week. Not an original piece in the whole gallery. I predict the banhammer real soon
oh my god, half the guy’s gallery is TV SCREENSHOTS OF ANIME CHARACTERS. You can see the Jetx logo in the corner. WTF dude.
Something wrong with that dude. After removing Jozef’s art, he’s loaded some other art, obviously copies from anime. I’m not a member of DevianArt, but if you are, report, report.
someone commented on his page: DA is not Photobucket. It’s not a place to load pictures you got from somewhere else, it’s for your own art.
Dumbass.
I’ve let GodAble know what mess online their actions have created in the wake of this theft (examples below), but they consider that information harassment. GodAble does not take on any fault in this matter, nor have they apologised.
http://www.flippinyourfins.tumblr.com/post/21921436140/a-siren-song-mermaid-tilaweed-by-godabel#notes
It was on Google image Thumbnails as well, but I sent in a request to Google that it be taken down, and now it has been.
Well, he can whine about harassment all he likes. Let’s see him get a lawyer and hash it out.
Oh, wait, he’s all the way over there in Brazil! He’d have to sue across international lines!
So, he’s in the same position you’re in while trying to enforce your copyrights.
Tough world, innit?
wow, nice tag on the heidipology to Josef on the flippin yr fins tumblr there: “file under ‘excuse the fuck out of me’”
That’s why you’re on tumblr swiping other people’s hard work and posting it without permission like you’re some kind of art gallery owner, douchecanoe.