Stolen artwork

This is a painting I did a couple years ago and the original is sold.  My signature is written vertically on the right stem.

This site, iOffer, is selling unauthorized reproductions of this painting.  They didn't even remove my signature, but added someone else's signature!!!!  Click here to see the fraudulent sale.

One of the hazards of showing your work on the internet is that unscrupulous individuals can rip of your artwork and offer it for sale as a reproduction.

I have notified iOffer and Paypal that they are selling fraudulently attained work.

I would encourage other artists to check this site to see if they have ripped off any of your images.

Click here to see the original listing on my website.  This painting sold through a gallery in 2009.

18 comments:

carol morgan carmichael said...

Very disturbing. How did you find out?

Sandy Sandy Art said...

Sounds like an Asian operation by the grammar on the site, Carol. That's why I took my art off of "Fine Art America". It's just too easy to steal images from them - when you click on a detail (framed, matted, etc. - it's pretty high resolution). Since I started selling my digital images as stock online, I've become more aware of all the piracy and now reduce the resolution / sizes and add bigger © info. on my posted images. It's a shame.

StormcrowNaturePreserve said...

That is not cool. Shame on them.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

OMG!...How did you come across this? Sorry, thanks for the warning! What do you think can be done about it? If people are allowed to get away with these types of things no one will ever feel uncomfortable to do it!

Carol Nelson said...

I found out from an email. Someone who knows my work Googled "poppy paintings," saw the image and sent me a heads up.

Carol Nelson said...

I have contacted iOffer and told them they were selling copyrighted material and that they do not have my permission.
I also let Paypal know that this site, which sells pirated prints, was using them as a method of payment.

nancy said...

THat is just wrong. I left them a message but sure they don't care. Thieves!

Cheri Wollenberg said...

I just tried the link on your post and got a notice that it was no longer on their site. Hope this is an indication that something is being done.

Ida said...

Carol - this type of stealing, almost 100% Chinese - has been around a long long time. Someone visiting China posted pictures of the town where all this art is done out on plain view by very young people - apparently they are hired to do this, and they to it all day long. These works are offered in many guises from online originals to hotel weekend sales,and even trucks driving in neighborhoods around the country.
So sorry it happened to you. Ida

Carol Nelson said...

iOffer is a site with an ebal like format. The store owner who's selling my work is identified only as hnzp197738 and has been in business since Nov. 2010.
So far he has no ratings on his store. (HA) The description of my painting says it is a hand painted original. Not true - it's a copy that still has my signature on it!
iOffer said they removed the listing, but when I go to hnzp197738's store, it's still there.

Vickie Warner said...

Terrible, but happening a lot. Here is one more company to be aware of for the record. One of my pieces was stolen and being sold from a company called Alibaba from china. I emailed them and they removed the image. It was found by an artist friend. The contact person for that company by the name of Daisy is a member on Fine Art America. It is a real shame and I know we know the risk of posting our images, but I will not let it stop me from sharing my love of art and I do hope Carol that you will not either. You have given so much to us all.

Autumn Leaves said...

When I click on the link, it says "This item no longer available." How freaking rotten of people to things like this.

Lokelani Forrest said...

Hmmm...interesting. I went to view and that page had been removed. I can't imagine someone having the audacity to do that. Copying a piece of artwork is one think, but passing it off as an original is another.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Thieves come in all forms. Thank you for sharing your experience, it's an education for all of us. Hope you are able to help shut them down!

Kristen's Paintings said...

I guess it's a good idea to google your work every once in a while.

Rosemary said...

Thanks for this heads up from you! I went to the store and saw your painting and see the description says "painted by an artist"! Well- duh- should read "stolen from THE original artist and copied by a thief! Of course it shouldn't be there at all!!

Kaylyn Munro said...

I became very nervous about this possibility and actually quit posting for a while. I am now watermarking everything.

nightowl design said...

I just want to say I absolutely adore your work. It is so amazing in every aspect!!!!