MicrostockGroup

Microstock Photography Forum - General => Image Sleuth => Topic started by: Justanotherphotographer on October 23, 2018, 05:34

Title: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 23, 2018, 05:34: I get emails every now and then by other artists about suspect portfolios on ETSY that feature stolen work.

These portfolios selling stolen vectors come up quite frequently but etsy will shut them down after a few (three?) reports of infringement.

Reporting is easy and does work, I have seen a lot less of my stuff on there since keeping an eye out. It can be quite time consuming for the thieves to list and also costs them money, so it's important to keep the pressure on.

I thought it was about time we had a dedicated thread where contributors could post shops where they have found stolen work of theirs. Much more efficient than emailing round to other artists who's work you've spotted.

For this thread I am talking about shops actually featuring reselling digital vector files as SVG, EPS, ai files etc. So there is no question they are violating licenses, I am not talking about people using work to make products where potentially there has been a legal license sale covering the usage.

link for reporting:

https://www.etsy.com/legal/ip/report (https://www.etsy.com/legal/ip/report)
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 23, 2018, 05:37: First up this one:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SOFIOSVG/ (https://www.etsy.com/shop/SOFIOSVG/)

Definitely had some of my work and I recognise other artists work too. Please look through and report your own stuff.
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 23, 2018, 05:52: And I also recognise a lot of people's stuff in here, if anyone knows the contributors please email:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MetalClipart/items (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MetalClipart/items)
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: nobody on October 23, 2018, 08:51: it appears this company makes very little effort to stop this type activity (Stolen art) ! >:(
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: k_t_g on October 23, 2018, 16:50: Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on October 23, 2018, 05:37
First up this one:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SOFIOSVG/ (https://www.etsy.com/shop/SOFIOSVG/)

Definitely had some of my work and I recognise other artists work too. Please look through and report your own stuff.
Even rips off Disney. ::)
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: k_t_g on October 23, 2018, 16:53: Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on October 23, 2018, 05:52
And I also recognise a lot of people's stuff in here, if anyone knows the contributors please email:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MetalClipart/items (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MetalClipart/items)

Also rips off Disney and StarWars ::)
Usually a good clue if a person has a habit of just using what ever to sell.
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Shelma1 on October 23, 2018, 17:37: I suspect both accounts are owned by the same person. They both feature mostly black and white line art placed against a random background so the art isn't easily recognizable if you do a reverse image search.
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 24, 2018, 04:39: I recognise a lot of work by "ink tycoon" that used to be an IStock exclusive I think?

This is his native American mascot for example:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/646941783/indian-head-silhouette-vector-files-svg? (https://www.etsy.com/listing/646941783/indian-head-silhouette-vector-files-svg?)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/574951772/cherokee-indian-dog-native-traditional? (https://www.etsy.com/listing/574951772/cherokee-indian-dog-native-traditional?)

Anyone able to email him? You can take down any number of infringements of the same work with one report so it would only take him a minute to report them all.
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 24, 2018, 04:54: Okay, another one:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/493064274/sugar-skulls-pt7-with-headphones-mexican? (https://www.etsy.com/listing/493064274/sugar-skulls-pt7-with-headphones-mexican?)

This person has stolen work from multiple artists and is selling them in a set.
Please check if yours and report, and please let these three artists know if you know them, as some of the work is theirs!

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/vector-colorful-skull-graphics-floral-ornaments-516297523? (https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/vector-colorful-skull-graphics-floral-ornaments-516297523?)

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/monochrome-illustration-skull-beard-mustache-hipster-507738169? (https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/monochrome-illustration-skull-beard-mustache-hipster-507738169?)

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/screaming-skull-wearing-headphone-145687940? (https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/screaming-skull-wearing-headphone-145687940?)
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 24, 2018, 04:58: Quote from: nobody on October 23, 2018, 08:51
it appears this company makes very little effort to stop this type activity (Stolen art) ! >:(

It is a pain that they don't self police, but they will take stuff down within 24hrs and shut down shops, so please email anyone you know who's work you spot and file takedowns for your own work too!
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 26, 2018, 07:23: Does anyone have contact info for this artist (Aliaksandr Мalashka):
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Malashkos (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Malashkos)

This shop steals loads of their stuff across products:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DYours? (https://www.etsy.com/shop/DYours?)

but I can't find anyway to message them even though I have found their portfolio on lots of the micro sites. Do any of the sites allow messaging anymore?
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Mir on October 26, 2018, 07:33: I suppose this is his instagram because the first name is the same as on his dreamstime account along with his nickname.
I think you could write him on both places.
https://www.instagram.com/malashkos/ (https://www.instagram.com/malashkos/)
https://www.dreamstime.com/malashkos_info (https://www.dreamstime.com/malashkos_info)
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on October 26, 2018, 07:34: Where's the message link on DT now, I can't seem to find it!
Title: Re: ETSY watch for vector artists
Post by: Mir on October 26, 2018, 08:20: Maybe they removed the option.
I found this on their forums, but I am not sure if the contributor will read it.
https://www.dreamstime.com/thread_49946 (https://www.dreamstime.com/thread_49946)