Pink Poogle Toy Forum

*blinks*
And this is exactly the attitude that is so dangerous places like neopets, and for the most part, online. And I think neo understands that. Because they do treat art theft as a freezable action.
Art theft is a major problem. I remember when I got into the gallery with my maraquan draik picture that I was bombarded by people freaking out and wanting to be my neofriend because I was such a "1337" artist (I think I spelt that right... anywho).
I was also hit with a whole bunch of requests to use my picture in things, and I said no to every single one. I don't want my art plastering someone elses guild. I don't want my art to be stolen. And yet... people will even if you say no.
I had someone neomail me, ask about it, I said no, they said fine... and when I checked out their guild? Guess whose artwork was gracing their guilds background. Mine.
Guess whose now frozen? Them.
It may be a "compliment" to have your art stolen, but to not be allowed the common dignity to being credited with what you've done (since most people won't), and to not be thanked, or told, or even asked whether your art can be used. It's disgusting, degrading and it should never be allowed.
Neo may get the copy right while the image is on their site; but only then. They still acknowledge that they did not do the artwork, and that it does infact belong to someone else. It's just protected while on their site.

Well.. No. I don't treat it as a compliment. A compliment would be them taking their own two hands and drawing an image for me, or neomailing me saying "Hey, great job!" or something. Stealing my work is taking the credit and getting the benefit of my 3-4 hours of work per image.

So.. no. not really.

I don't really care if neopets claims owner ship of my images, after I submit them. After-all, the characters, are copyright them, and its fanart to the company, neopets inc. So no, I don't feel that they are mis-useing it, but its the users, that are doing it for their own gain on their own account, that are useing my hard work to get money, that are wrong.

This neomail just really bugged me, that someone would have a black enough of a heart to taught someone, after a job well done.

Sorry if I seem like I'm jumping on ya'all, but I'm a freelance illustrator - I live off of people buying my artwork and giving me credit - So art theft is a huge deal to me.. ;.;

The United States Copyright Office does not accept that as a valid transfer of copyright, from what I've read. Neopets could say it, but it doesn't make it true. Regardless, Neopets doesn't ask for exclusive rights. Besides, owning a work or a copy of it does not equal having copyright. Only the author gets that, unless the transfer of copyright is submitted in writing.

"Mere ownership of a book, manuscript, painting, or any other copy or phonorecord does not give the possessor the copyright. The law provides that transfer of ownership of any material object that embodies a protected work does not of itself convey any rights in the copyright."

Actually, the USCO has very little to do with it; you are assumed to read the rules and understand them when you sign up. And when you sign up, all of the information that you submit is considered to be valid, and therefore entering your name and agreeing to the terms and conditions constitutes an electronic signature on a contract (end user license agreement, really).

So since you've signed a contract saying they get your stuff - they get your stuff. Now, you still own the copyright, but they own the image. So you can't post it or sell it without their permission.

The electronic signature may indeed be valid, I couldn't find enough info on that. And I would say they own a copy of the image. Much like a limited edition print of an original. That wouldn't give them the right to dictate to you whether or not you could copy (post) or sell your original. That is part of exclusive copyright:

"To reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords

To distribute copies or phonorecords of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending"

*in stonewolf3x tone* Bite them on the leg and report them for harassment. 5 NP please. I'd say stick your insignia in a spot when if it gets erased, it will make the picture look cruddy.

But since you submitted it, they can of course do what they like with it right? Of course provided they give you credit (which they do anyway). It's just like you giving someone a hundred dollars. Since you gave it to him, he can use it anyhow he likes. You can't say "Hey I did not sign a contract transferring the money to you! You can't use it!"

Art theft is about as flattering as the person urinating their ignorance on your shoe. By stealing your art, they may be showing that they respect the picture, but they sure as heck don't respect you. I consider my artwork to be like any of my other possessions. If you steal it so you can say it's yours/pawn it off, I'll come after you and they'll never find the body. (It's happened to me before and I get furious.)

Always respect other people's hard work.



Back on topic: I agree with everyone who says that those people are jealous. You should be proud that you got in to the Art Gallery!

I think there are some limits? But I'm not really sure, it seems to get a bit tangled past that point. And even if there are limits, it's probably near impossible to do anything about it. Better off not submitting.

The use of the image by other players on the Neopets site may or may not violate copyright, definitely does if they claim it as their own I would think.

The main reason I don't want people to automatically assume that a contract is the final say is because it often costs people money when it shouldn't. I signed a lease with a pet fee that's illegal in my state. That clause was invalid, I didn't have to pay it. I did reimburse for damages my cats did after, I was responsible for that and didn't mind.