WHAT IS REPOSTING AND WHY ARE YOU STILL DOING IT WITHOUT PERMISSION
Okay, so I’ve been seeing a couple of artists on my dash talking about stolen art. And, to be honest, this is not the first time. Even my friends’ work have been stolen (YEAH, I SAID IT. STOLEN. More on this later.). Heck, even MY work has been stolen. What’s worse is that A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE DON’T LINK BACK. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Now I try my best not to post negative stuff because people would prefer positive things on their dashboard but MY FEELINGS FOR THIS ISSUE ARE JUST TOO STRONG. I doubt I am the first one to speak of this. In fact, I’m pretty sure a lot of other people out there have explained it far better than I have or could. But I’m writing this nonetheless because I feel that speaking up about it is very important right now.
So. Here’s a quick FaQ/Q&A about reposting art. I’ve done it in this fashion, in the most BASIC form I could with the most BASIC responses I’ve found out there. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ AND SHARE. I hope to be able to enlighten a few souls out there.
REPOSTING does NOT mean “reblogging”. Simply put, reposting is when someone:
1. Saves an artwork by whatever means
2. Reuploads it somewhere else
Some artists allow reposts and some don’t. Some allow reposts with certain restrictions. It varies. This is why it’s important to ASK.
When is it okay to repost art?
Only when the artist says it’s okay. If they do not say it’s okay, DO NOT REPOST. I believe this is the most basic thing you should remember about reposting.
You have to ask permission from them yourself and pay attention to what they’re going to say. For example, if they ask you to tell them where you’re going to post and for you to send them the link, PLEASE GET BACK TO THEM WITH THIS INFORMATION. More than once had asked me for permission to repost (sometimes, even translate) some of my works (art and fics) and I said yes as long as they link back, credit and send me the link to where they post it. THEY ALL WENT “OKAY, WILL DO! THANKS!”. HOWEVER, NOT ONE OF THEM HAVE GOTTEN BACK TO ME. RUDE. This is why when someone asks me to translate Snare, I don’t plan on saying yes anymore.
That is their right as creator of the artwork. Please respect that. They are not obligated to say “yes” just because you asked.
Please read what I said previously.
But some other people are reposting this artist’s work alraedy. Why can I not?
Again, unless you ask them yourself and they agreed, you MUST NOT repost their art.
I’ve asked but they haven’t responded yet. Can I post?
No. Silence does not mean yes.
I don’t know their language. They can’t seem to speak English. I can’t contact them even if I want to.
That still falls under “you haven’t been able to ask permission so NO, YOU MUST NOT REPOST”.
I don’t know where this artwork came from.
Try a reverse Google search. ASK AROUND FOR IT. UNTIL YOU GET PERMISSION, DO. NOT. REPOST. GOD DAMMIT.
Artists should be happy that their work is being shared and appreciated.
No, their work is not being SHARED AND APPRECIATED, it’s being STOLEN. Why would they be happy about that?
Why is it considered stealing?
This is basic. WHEN YOU TAKE SOMETHING WITHOUT PERMISSION, THAT IS STEALING. Don’t give me the reason that “even if I take it, they still have a copy so it’s not stealing lolololol”. You’re stealing not only the art, but also the god damn CREDIT. Artists need to work hard to be noticed and market themselves. Every time you post an artwork without linking back, you are stealing an artist’s chance to be noticed or even just appreciated.
Art should not be about attention or money. They should do it for the passion.
That is none of your damn business. Passion is good but in case you haven’t noticed, artists are also people who—gasp!—need to eat and have bills to pay. Either way, this does not mean you can repost their work without permission. Stop making it look like the artist is the one in the wrong here. You’re not doing the world a favor. Shut the hell up.
Why do they want credit? To be famous? Are they using my page to be famous?
You are using their art for attention. Please stop pretending that you are doing this coz “I LUV TEH FANDOM” or “I WANNA HELP PROMOTE TEH ARTIST” or *Insert attempt to look like a public servant*. If you’re really doing this out of something that isn’t self-serving, then crediting shouldn’t be so damn DIFFICULT or, god forbid, OFFENSIVE to you.
Artists should not post their work the internet if they don’t want it stolen. Once it’s online, it’s free for all.
Please take a deep breath, go to settings, and set “CIVILIZED HUMAN BEING” to “ACTIVE”. Just because something is THERE doesn’t mean it’s okay to DO WHAT YOU WILL. That’s like saying people shouldn’t have belongings if they don’t want to be robbed. So save the image to your hard drive if you will but for you to repost it somewhere else is entirely different.
Ah. That was a long thing. I’m not even sorry. I’m just really very upset about this. If anyone has anything to add, please do so in the reblogs.
origamiaround
vaporwave
stormborns
dailybridgerton
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
germansingergirl
yousharknotpass
theartofmadeline
