Um... Look inside, DnD image theft...

[seankreynolds]

Edit: never mind.

 

[hellbender]

I mean, I suppose it's not impossible the image is being used legaly... Oh, wait, I'm pretty sure it is impossible

Are you really sure it is impossible? Many illustrators (with exception) own their own work, sometimes after a period of time, this depends entirely upon the contract they are working under. This allows them to sell prints at GenCon and other such outlets of their work. The illustrator himself may have had permission to sell this image to the company making the knife. It could also have been an illustrator who designed a gold dragon very similar, but different. Even with the enlarged view, I cannot see all of the detail on the knife.

Maybe it is image theft, just maybe. Until you know the facts, it is not fair to accuse anyone of a crime.

hellbender

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

Re: Re: Um... Look inside, DnD image theft...

Maybe it is image theft, just maybe. Until you know the facts, it is not fair to accuse anyone of a crime.

hellbender

No, but reporting it to WOTC is the first step in finding the facts.

 

[GravyFingerz]

Honestly, I thought this thread was going to be about that loser who "copyrighted" 4th Edition D&D. The question buzzing through my mind was:

good god what did he do now?

 

[hellbender]

Re: Re: Re: Um... Look inside, DnD image theft...

No, but reporting it to WOTC is the first step in finding the facts.

I agree, ArcOfCorinth, that contacting WotC (or the illustrator) is in order. This could also have been easily done off the boards, rather than accusing someone of art theft (technically copyright infringement). If the knife was made overseas, the Bud-K company more than likely has no knowledge of the origin of the image. I have seen so many instances of image infringement overseas it would take a horde of lawyers ages to begin to tackle them all. Therefore, Wizards could, if the image is used illegally, at best stop that company from selling this particular knife, hardly punishing the real perpetrator. People who use images illegally for profit rarely are as easy to find as you might think. And, upon seeing detail, suppose it is not a Lockwood image, but a close image by another illustrator? Art theft, or imitation?

hellbender

 

[Tsyr]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Um... Look inside, DnD image theft...

I agree, ArcOfCorinth, that contacting WotC (or the illustrator) is in order. This could also have been easily done off the boards, rather than accusing someone of art theft (technically copyright infringement). If the knife was made overseas, the Bud-K company more than likely has no knowledge of the origin of the image. I have seen so many instances of image infringement overseas it would take a horde of lawyers ages to begin to tackle them all. Therefore, Wizards could, if the image is used illegally, at best stop that company from selling this particular knife, hardly punishing the real perpetrator. People who use images illegally for profit rarely are as easy to find as you might think. And, upon seeing detail, suppose it is not a Lockwood image, but a close image by another illustrator? Art theft, or imitation?

hellbender

First of all, I actualy said as much: It's most likely not Bud Ks fault.

Second, from the pictures both there and in the print catalog: If this is an imitation, it is DAMN hard to tell the difference. Even looking at it with a magnifing glass, it looks to be the same image. Eventualy you reach the point where what is the difference between an imitation and a copy?

 

[the Jester]

Wow, that's pretty blatant, all right.

Hopefully it's legit somehow, or else a legitimate misunderstanding.

 

[Iced Tea]

Depends on if Wizards owns the art, which they probably do.

Lots of artist get to keep the rights to their art and can reuse it in multiple projects.

exactly what i was thinking, the artist probably kept the rights to the art.

 

[Aitch Eye]

Those character cover sheets that Arnie Swekel and Glen Angus are selling -- which were previewed on the last pages Dragon #301 and #302-- featur artwork done for various D&D books, including uncolored versions of several of the gods from Deities & Demigods and the illustration from the cover of Manual of the Planes. So it's at least possible that this was done legally, though WotC might feel a little more protective about the dragon images.

http://www.gangus.net/sheets.htm (see the image of Set B)

 

[Staffan]

Not sure what the contracts with the D&D artists say, but from what I understand from the Magic side of things the artists retain the ownership of the physical paintings, and can sell them if they want. WOTC owns the copyright though, so the artist can't sell the rights to the picture. I think the artist is also allowed to display the picture on a website or stuff like that as well.