Stockart.com

I received a really creepy email from Stockart tonight, and I'm not at all sure what to make of it.

In case you don't know who they are, Stockart is an online stock illustration service that actually has some really fine work. It's easy finding stock photography, but quality illustrations that aren't goofy woodcuts or Microsoft clip-art are hard to come by.

I once tried to use Stockart a year or so ago for a client's project, and Stockart wanted to charge me close to $100 just to use a lo-res gif, with watermark too, in a mockup. I basically told them "no thanks" and found someone else. Since then I receive monthly emails, but I've never seen one as creepy as this. They make ratting out fellow office workers and designers sound...fun! And profitable!!!

"We at Stockart.com are becoming more and more concerned about our imagery being downloaded and used without authorization. Agencies and design firms are profiting from this illegal usage. This is particularly disturbing given the current state of the economy; even some the most talented illustrators are struggling to feed their families. Using images without authorization jeopardizes their means of making an honest living. This is a threat to the entire illustration market as top-notch illustrators are no longer able to practice the oldest form of visual communication.

What can you do to help?

Well, Stockart.com would like to urge you to confidentially report any instance of impropriety that you are aware of. WE WILL PAY YOU A PERCENTAGE OF THE SETTLEMENT FEE.

All we need is for you to give us enough information to locate the communication which has the illustration(s) used out of copyright, and we will take it from there. In return, we will send you 10% of ANY settlement moneys we recover. This could amount to thousands of dollars for you AND the illustrators, by simply doing what is right!

Do the right thing and report any instances of piracy in your office while remaining totally anonymous!

Simply report any instances of impropriety to antipiracy@stockart.com, or call 1-800- 297-7658, and we will follow up and see that the illustrators get reimbursed for usage, money they should have received in the first place.

Whatever the circumstance, you can report the crime and no one will ever know...except the deserving illustrators!"

Sheesh.

Comments

Posted by: Jewelies at January 8, 2002 4:46 AM

Posted by: pep at January 8, 2002 4:38 PM

Posted by: Anonymous at January 8, 2002 7:30 PM