Orphan Works Legislation is on the Docket Again

This is a nice primer on the copyright law and the attempts of protecting our work.The Orphan works bill is like a zombie; it keeps coming back no matter how many times it is shot in the head.

Once again, a bill is being drafted.

More info is here: http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/

Sea Serpent Sketch

Here's a monster I'm working on for the newsletter. If you guys haven't seen the map I did for TAG, go here: http://www.justinrussellart.com/RassilonMap.htm. Apparently, somebody emailed my boss and asked which monster that was (on the far right), specifically :P It doesn't exist in the bestiary, so for my monster this month I'm making the thing an "offical" monster of Hellfrost. This will be rendered in my usual bestiary style, graphite. However, I plan on using some new techniques I picked up since working on the aforementioned book. Any criticisms are welcome. It's not due till the end of the month. If you haven't seen any of my bestiary drawings, I've sampled a few here on the blog and on my website. Just click the next buttons left or right to navigate to them on my website. You shouldn't have to go far.

This image is (c) Triple Ace Games, 2010.

Shepard Fairey the balloon boy of copyright?

Shepard Fairey the balloon boy of the copyright world?

http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2009/10/17/shepard-fairey-admits-he-lied-about-which-photo-he-used/

Lookout!!! Stock Companies are Accussing Artists About Copyright!!!!

As Visual Ambassador I have to screem ... 

LOOKOUT ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS AND PROTECT YOUR WORK!!!!

Stock companies are having a field day in court!

http://www.jonengle.com/2009/04/accused

14 years ago I was called by a royality stock company (which is still in business) about selling all rights to 20 illustrations by one of my artists for $150.00 each.  The stock company owner (this is not exacuationg) was PISSED at me when I said no way, try $5,000 each.  Four months later I got a fax from a designer in Seattle asking if we did an image for his local paper?  Well, I research the stock companies site to find some copied my artist's work!!  We took it to court only to find out they had the artist, who ripped off my artist, sign an agreement that he was the creator and waved the stock firm of any responsibility.  The artist was just out of school, had no idea this was against the law and had no money.  The stock firm refused to take the work off their site saying it was between our firm and the young artists.  They bought the images from the young artist no us.

We continued going after the stock firm but it was 3 years before the stock firm took the images off their site. Now stock companies are going after artists on "look a like" images!!!  What about these sites on designing logos for $325.00.  I have a great story there as well.  

You must read this blog!!!