Disputes over property rights can get nasty, and copying others’ work is nothing new. In the 1800′s Vincent Van Gogh copied the works of other artists, including Rembrandt and Jean-François Millet, using their works as his “subjects” and to improve his own technique. In Van Gogh’s own words:

“If someone plays Beethoven, he adds his own personal interpretation; in the music, especially in the singing, the interpretation also counts and the composer doesn’t have to be the only one to perform his compositions. Anyway, especially now I am ill, I am trying to create something to comfort me, for my own pleasure. I put the black and white by or after Delacroix or Millet in front of me to use as a motif. And then I improvise in colour [...] seeking reminiscences of their paintings; but the memory, the vague consonance of colours while are at least correct in spirit, that is my interpretation.” (source: VGGallery)

Why the lack of tension (or at least any nasty dispute) between Van Gogh and the artists he copied? Maybe because profit and fame weren’t at stake?  (He only sold one painting in his lifetime.) The war against piracy has evolved since Millet and Van Gogh’s days. Some of you may remember SPA’s “Don’t Copy That Floppy” anti-copyright infringement campaign in 1992, and by now we are all familiar with the FBI warning accompanying the movies we watch, threatening criminal charges, jail time, fines, blah blah blah. The launch of Etsy in 2005 provided an amazing world stage for artists and their handmade crafts, meanwhile facilitating a new wave of piracy.

This topic has been especially heated this year with Urban Outfitter’s “copying” of pendants by independent designer Stevie K (read about it at The Consumerist).  Bloggers took to their keyboards, tweeters tweeted and Regretsy soon followed with a report unveiling that maybe the designs weren’t so original after all (read Regretsy’s report and The Consumerists follow-up). The world wide web continues to amaze in its enormity and the viral nature of content.

The Internet makes it much easier for more people to easily copy and steal others work, but it has also made it possible for a lot of independent artists to share their work and even quit day jobs to pursue their dreams.  The power of the Internet also plays a role in preventing or at least halting art piracy. Artist Lauren Nassef’s work was stolen by Samantha Beeston who actually won awards and prize money for her text print patterns that blatantly incorporated Lauren’s art…  Then comes the fame, web presence and can you guess what happened next? Busted! Do a simple Google search for “Samantha Beeston” and plagiarism is number one in the results… that’s embarrassing! (Read more and see their work side by side at Book By its Cover and Lauren’s Blog.)

Copying anther’s work and being influenced by their work are two entirely different things, but sometimes there is a gray area between the two. If ever in doubt, just ask, express what’s on your mind, get an opinion (people love to give them!). The Etsy and greater handmade artisans community is just that, a community; it is always better to ask than to step on another’s toes and potentially feel the wrath of Twitter and attract that not so good karma.

Thoughts? Opinions? Please share in the comments!

Additional Links:

• Handmadeology:  “Stand up to Copying – the GOOD way to Protect your Original Work”
• Etsy Blog: “Fan Art and Fair Use: One Truth and Five Myths”
• Handmade New: “Copyright Myths: 10 Facts you Need to Know”
• Flickr Stop Art Piracy Campaign: www.flickr.com/groups/stopartpiracycampaign

“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”  – Judy Garland

“You MAY copy this image for the sole purpose of displaying on your blog or website IF it is linked back to this flickr group www.flickr.com/groups/stopartpiracycampaign You may NOT use any piece of this image for your own artwork or any other publication or reproduction.”

“You MAY copy this image for the sole purpose of displaying on your blog or website IF it is linked back to this flickr group www.flickr.com/groups/stopartpiracycampaign You may NOT use any piece of this image for your own artwork or any other publication or reproduction.”