Animation Source Forums

Folks,

I am writing this with respect to not only the artists, but also to every member of this forum, and to Steet as well. I am NOT looking to start a flame war; I am only trying to inform, and perhaps resolve a slowly brewing potential conflict.

I also have a MySpace profile, where I role-play Balto (and I also role-play Togo on a different profile). The two profiles, for reference sake, are: http://www.myspace.com/the_balto and http://www.myspace.com/togosleddog. Recently, under the Balto profile, I was contacted with add requests by two new MySpacers..."Anna" and "Buster" (http://www.myspace.com/buster_wolfdog). Besides Anna, Buster had almost nothing on his profile except for a long tirade about stealing of artwork, and then insults about role-players. There was a third, "Ralph", who was doing the same as "Buster" and "Anna". Ralph and Anna have since deleted their profiles. Buster is still there, and he has been the most aggressive and acerbic of the three. These three seemed to focus their anger on a girl who portrays Kiona on MySpace. When I talked with Kiona, using logic and maturity, and a little kindness, I convinced her to remove the images that are a source of the conflict. And convinced her not to leave MySpace (which she almost did because of the bullying sent her way).

I have since learned that these three people are apparently fan artists who have posted their artwork here on Steet's site. Now, I DO sympathize with the issues they have, that being that there are MySpacers coming onto Steet's site and making copies of their artwork, without the artists' permission, and then using them on their MySpace pages. Further, some of these MySpacers are then putting their display names and/or URLs on each image (and, in rare cases, a copyright symbol as well), and threatening other MySpacers not to take "their images".

Now, if those MySpacers have taken images without the artists' permission, they are technically wrong. And if those MySpacers are taking the names of the artists off, or putting their own names/URLs/copyright symbols on them, then they are VERY wrong! Though, let's be TOTALLY honest here...NONE of these artists appear to have their livelihoods dependent upon their art, and they don't appear to be harmed by someone copying and using their work. In fact, I think it draws attention to the artists' works...at least indirectly. Certainly the MySpacers are not benefitting financially or fame-wise from the borrowed art. Admittedly, I have one of Pample's drawings on my Balto profile. I got it from someone else before I realized it was Pample's. And I will draw her attention to this, and request her permission to keep it there. If she asks me to remove it, I will do so immediately, without question. Because that is the kind of MySpacer I am. And I try to be mature, fair, and decent with EVERYONE, and not jump to inane, infantile and aggressive conclusions.

So there are two sides to this. Rather than go on and re-hash what I already said elsewhere, please allow me to draw your attention to the following message thread, from a MySpace discussion and role-play group which I belong to. I think you'll see where I'm coming from. Please understand that I DO sympathize with the artists...when they act with maturity and dignity. Of course, when they act the way the person with the "Buster" profile acted, then I just think they're being infantile, and fostering conflict.

I will NOT respond here to anyone who tries to turn this into a flame war or argument. I'm simply trying to help, actually. And maybe bring beneficial change and understanding between both sides.

Here is the link:

http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse ... opicID=23&

I saw thses things not only once,I saw here http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... d=49372513 using Pample's chara,,oooopsyy,if Pample finds out she'll blow like a bomb or a vulcano!
It's just my toughts why I won't and wouldn't join that creepy place.

Sa d cause there's no way to stop them.

Well, unfortunately, the ones who seem to steal this stuff, without the effort at being courteous and asking permission, are the teenagers. And their attitude appears to be "well, you're not going to stop it, so f--- you!". But there ARE people on MySpace, both teenagers and adults, who are more respectful than that. Just because there are a few bad eggs doesn't mean the whole magilla is bad. That is not only oversimplification, it is downright ridiculous.

That's just wrong... That is exactly like plagerism.

IF that is what they are doing, then yes. And if there are those who have asked permission of the artists first, or who simply don't know (and would remove it without question if the artist asked them to), then they are not in the same category as those who "steal" the art and then either keep it up no matter what, or alter it for themselves.

But, as has been seen, there are idiots on BOTH sides of this argument.

Maybe that's because I'm very tired (I'm sick at the moment), but I haven't understood exactly. You mean that they are people on Myspace who uses pictures they have stolen from Balto Source? If that's the case (and not the opposite), I fear I can't do anything. There is unfortunately no strict method to prevent this; I added recently a copyright sentence in the page when you click on a fan art. I can't really do more here.
This is something that happens very often, we always have discussions about this on the french side. The only way we can do something is to send an email to the host (here, Myspace) with proofs, so that they will close the accounts.

Well, Steet, to be honest, there are many teenagers who role play either Balto movie characters, or wolves, and make use of the artwork that has been created by others to augment their profiles. I DO believe most of it is harmless. However, SOME of the complaints levied, by the artists, have merit. And I do think it's only a few artists.

There are some MySpacers acting disingenuously with regard to artwork that doesn't belong to them. Others have been respectful, and courteous, and are good people. Some just don't realize what they are doing might be wrong.

But it needs resolution. And I think you'd agree with me that it needs BENEVOLENT resolution before real conflict arises. There's no need for the kind of argumentative infantility we've seen in just a few days. But it is going to require some work.

If I can be of help, please let me know. I know most of the Balto character role-players, and a small amount of the hundreds of "wolf role-players" on MySpace. If I can be of assistance to both sides of this argument, then I would be glad to. It brings the spirit of Balto (the fictional cartoon character as much as the real dog) alive!

Of course, not all of them are teenagers. There are many adult role-players there too...in their twenties and older as well. But that's besides the point. There are nice ones (kid or adult) and there are troublemakers and idiots. Some are doing some very wrong things with the artwork they don't own or have a right to simply take.

And there are a few artists who are being very nasty, pig-headed and troublesome. Whomever "Buster" is clearly is the worst that I've seen.

Either way, I wish we could resolve this peaceably. Most of the role-players on MySpace, no matter what they role-play, and whether or not they're teens, are nice people...NOT troublemakers or "murderers".

I understand now too..and *ahem* It exists Edit button ..Thank you!

Pff. LOL. Knowing the MySpace Customer Service team, it is VERY unlikely that they will act. And again, most of what is happening, I think, is innocent...the people who are lifting the images probably don't realize that they should be asking first. A disclaimer on each artists' page might help a little (and then again, it may not).

I guess the only resolution, which would be a shame, would be for the artists to either stop posting, or else do what Greykitty and Pample have done, and start putting electronic "water marks" over their images until permission is secured. THAT they'd have to do on their own, and then re-upload the images. THAT might stem the problem...

Stealing!!! thats not right, I would never use someone elses artwork without asking first, I've copyrighted all my drawings and will probably post some soon, also I'm glad that you guys said not all teenagers steal stuff coz I'm 16 and would never steal anything!

wow, this is kinda scary in a way... i purposely avoid MySpace, because i really don't see a point to it. i've never even been to the site, because i feel there are better ways to spend time on the web (like at the Balto Source^^). i'm gonna make sure i put my web name large on all my pics from now on. i don't want my art stolen.

It's a very good ideea agwolfcp about writting name or webpae transparent on the art..but are people who knows to use very well Photoshop and they can colour very well the text and etc..I dunno we can't stop them..and if we try it'll be useless.....shame on them.

I think you'll note that I also suggested a watermark transparency on each image, pending approval from the artist for any requests (for which the artist could then send the image without the watermark). It's a good safeguard, and professional photographers and artists often do the same.