From D*Face: “Hey wooster, I
read with mad rage the feature posted on your site regarding the copyright
infringement of Jet and Rubbles ‘eyes’, why? Because the exact same thing has
happened to me TWICE!!

Last year a well known and very large record
company and retail store, commissioned a design agency to produce an in store
backdrop that was ‘street’ inspired, this was to be used in key stores
throughout the United Kingdom, subsequently a photograph of one of my characters
was taken (it was photographed as a sticker on a lampost) cut out and dropped
onto a abstract graffiti background, printed first as a 4ft high by 12ft long
panel, that could be repeated in length appropriate to each store (my character
was repeated about 4 times at full height on each panel) then as a 12ft high
backdrop to be hung in specific stores. To add insult to injury they ‘added’
turntables (if you could call them this, they were so badly drawn) in front of
my character to make it more ‘appropriate’ to the audience!!!!

As
expected I flipped out, my permission hadn’t been saught, nor would it have been
granted, especially as this was a brand I in no way wanted to be associated
with… yeah i guess these could be counted as big hits… but ones I could live
without!!

This is something every street artist could be in danger
off having happen to them… after the initial what should I do and the crews
shouts of lets go and take back whats yours, I decided to consult a lawyer, put
all my savings on the line and pursue legal action… we ALL have artistic and
intellectual copyright and that makes our work OURS, we own it and just because
we put it into the public domain for free, it doesn’t mean it’s free for any
advertising, marketing or design agency to use for their gain… and they do gain!
Commissions are one thing, but theft is something else! Im still pursuing the
case, its taken allot of time (nearly a year) and energy and it will yield
little or no financial reward, but I couldn’t just stand back and see my image
be used like that!!

Key things I’ve learnt are (not sure if these
apply globally);

- If you can afford to, copyright your ‘image’!!!
Especially if you intend on hitting hard with it! It doesn’t cost much, and
really could make your life easier!!
- Keep and document all your original
drawings (luckily I did this) or any magazines that may have featured your work,
this can be used to date the origination of your work, you can always do the old
posting it to yourself trick, for proof of origination.
- If you draw or
include a copyright ‘C’ within your work it declares that the image is owned by
an individual, therefore if it is used without permission that person is
knowingly infringing a copyright. A legal offence.
- Don’t stand back and
let it happen, just because they may seem a huge corporate company doesn’t mean
they can do as they like! As Chimp said it best not to steal from people who
walk the streets late at night with cans of spray paint… word!

But
most of all… keep on keeping on!

Peace, D*Face

ps. the
second case… a HUGE jeans manufacturer is just coming to light, but is pretty
much the same deal!

From href="http://www.sfaustina.com">sfaustina*: Street art is fair
game. Don’t post that shit on the streets then. Take that shit to a fuckn
gallery or don’t post it in the streets. Real street motherfuckers don’t give a
fuck about copyrights, or money, its about destroying the system and streetfame.
Not about becoming an art star.

Copyrighting characters for the
streets? That absurd! That’s like defeating the propose. If you’re doing shit on
the street that means your giving it to the world, good or bad

/>Copywriting shouldn’t even be an issue on Wooster!!!  Do it for the love. And
if someone (or company) bites that shit who cares cuz now your get even more
up’s (exposure) right, That’s what its about and one of the main purpose of
street art is to remain anonymous. I don’t care who did it! I just want to see
it up.

Another thing, copyrighting something you do on the street? Do
that in the US and you well have the popo kick’n in your door.

Please
don’t get it twisted. Sorry if I offended anyone but that real shit.”

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