o here is the infinite problem: What
do you do when a huge corporation like Paperchase sucks the blood of a
small independent artist with a super long, thick and huge straw?
And talking more specifically, my lovely girl from the artwork most of you know “He says he can hear the Forest whisper” has been stolen, badly traced and stuck in front of a poor (and separately traced) mushroom that now decorates untold numbers of notebooks, albums and tote bags sold throughout the UK through Paperchase and Amazonco.uk!
You would naturally answer: You contact Paperchase, inform them and ask for the item to be removed from their shops and Amazon and not be sold any more. Pretty much you cut their straw, right?
….and you are right! That's exactly what I did but Paperchase is not the best buddy to be friends with!
They basically ignore me in my face and keep selling the eye sore of a design all around the world!
Moreover the lawyers ask me astronomical amounts of money to deal with this seriously in the courts and I suspect that is exactly the reason why Paperchase ignores me in the first place.
Since I have written to them, Paperchase made sure to put up even more items for sale with my plagiarised art! I'm sure Paperchase think that there is nothing that can make them stop. Proof is that the albums in the link above are actually freshly listed after the notebooks that I had written them about have apparently sold out!
So please, if you are any bit angry or frustrated with huge n ancient vampires sucking the creative juice of indie artists, a simple e-mail sent to them here might save me from having to raise $40000 for court expenses!
So thank you Paperchase for making a killing out of my hard work! And an especially strong, bone-crackling bear hug to the anonymous designer that badly traced my art and then denied it!
If there ever was any doubt that this design is copied from my artwork, my lovable partner made sure to dispel the mist through way of joyous animation!
Lots of love, lovely people and a sincere thank you to all the fans and fellow artists that recognised the copy and told me about it!
Bear hugs,
xxx Hidden Eloise xxx
**** Update ****
I couldn't thank each and every one of you enough for the support and for standing up for what you feel is right! I am in awe and have been working hard to deal with all the million things that are happening at the same time today!
I still have not heard from Paperchase though they deemed it right to make a public statement. Which is pretty much the same thing they told me back in December: we got the design from a designer, we are not telling you who that is. The difference is that now they are saying they will look into it at least.
The Amazon item has been removed without a word. Well, I heard that it didn't get any high reviews anyway.
I have been contacted by various journalists in national papers, lawyers and oh so many other kind people that want to offer a helping hand one way or another. I will try to reply to each and every one of you as your generosity deserves but it will take some time. A huge thank you from my heart. I'm standing on the shoulders of giants so I will keep standing strong.
As a consultant for brands doing social media, I'm very surprised Paperchase isn't doing more to manage their reputation.
Oh well, I hope things are resolved for you in the end!
Posted by: Kun Dang | February 26, 2010 at 11:12 AM
I just wrote to Paperchase! I'm so happy you have had this internet viral success! It's fabulous and I'm so happy for you - I only hope it boosts your sales and that some good comes from all of this.
"Dear Paperchase
I'm writing in response to the news that you have bought a design that has been copied from the work of Eloise of 'Hide n Seek'. Whilst I understand you bought the design 'in good faith' it is shame that you did not take Eloise's request to stop selling her copied design until the whole thing blew up on the internet. I love Paperchase, the shop, your products and art materials. However, this incident has reminded me that really, it is better to buy from small, independent retailers and I will use Etsy and other companies in the future. Next time when someone tells you that you have bought a ripped off design you should act more promptly - or better still - employ some good designers to come up with some original artwork that you can sell ethically."
Posted by: cari-jane hakes | March 01, 2010 at 04:32 PM
I have seen that the products have now been taken off their website, however there is a store near me in the UK, I would be more than happy to check to see that they are not selling them in their stores over here still.
I hope you do get this matter sorted.
Kind regards
Wendy~
Posted by: Wendy Seaman | March 05, 2010 at 10:31 AM
What an awful, awful experience! I'm equal parts morally and aesthetically outraged. The plagiarism is one thing, but the tacky bastardization of your beautiful original is downright astonishing. I'm so glad that it seems that things have been resolved--I hope that many, many good things continue to hatch from this bad egg:)
Posted by: kaetlyn | March 05, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Hello, I read about you in the Guardian and searched for you to read the story. I really can't believe these money hungry giants. I used to work for a card publishing company who always stole other peoples work and it made me so cross that I quit, along with another string of reasons. I think it is disgusting to take advantage of you like this, I hate the commercial design world, it is so mean to true creative people.
Posted by: Sarah | March 15, 2010 at 02:16 PM
well, they moved on from you to me:
http://img.skitch.com/20100327-befar1xa21mj4jjwrkhs2r2ib2.jpg
Posted by: susie | March 27, 2010 at 07:03 PM
Darn !! I was begining to love PaperChase !!Little did I know of the coping of artwork !! My sisters do this to me all the time (I pretty good at art) and I hate it !! I hope you keep working at it !!
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Posted by: Louis Vuittion handbags | March 31, 2010 at 04:23 AM
As a fellow plagiaree, in a similar position, you have my absolute, unconditional support. This kind of thing must be stopped. These corporate parasites must be shamed and made to pay. They are destroying innovation which damages all of us.
http://www.plagianimals.com
Posted by: John Savage | May 09, 2010 at 10:48 AM
That's awful. The animation is clear proof that they plagiarized your work. Maybe enough bad advertising and word of mouth pressure to Paperchase will work.
http://www.rapidsnake.com
Jenny
Posted by: Jenny | May 13, 2010 at 12:14 PM
I wonder if Susie and Eloise can somehow start a joint suit...eyugh. I just wrote to them and let them know I plan to let my local store (that carries their brand) know what they are up to....
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Posted by: Account Deleted | May 24, 2010 at 08:44 PM
Hi
I've just been made aware of this & your awful situation. It was flagged to me as a I'm in a similar situation.
please see http://rachaeltaylordesigns.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-have-been-copied.html
I would love your advice:)
Rachael x
Posted by: rachael taylor | June 03, 2010 at 08:59 PM
So sorry to hear about that... $40000 for court expenses is too much! did you have the work registered under copyright? I´ve heard it´s easier to claim your rights if you have it.
I´m an illustrator and the ghost of plagiarism really scares me...!
I wish you very good luck! your work is amazing! ;)
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 13, 2010 at 02:57 AM
Oh My God That is really terrible! Shame on Paperchase.
Posted by: Ken | June 22, 2010 at 06:24 AM
Put up the lowest resolution you can (72 dpi is good enough for online viewing) and copies can only be made very small. Watermark the image, and put the watermark right in the middle. Thieves will always find a way. Make it less appealing for them when they do.
Posted by: FAP Turbo | June 26, 2010 at 03:53 AM
I would like to appreciate the great work done by You
Posted by: Matt Powell | November 11, 2010 at 06:15 AM
love this print it would be perfect in my room
Posted by: sophie | April 28, 2011 at 02:52 AM
Shame on Paperchase. You have my support and I sent them an email expressing my low opinion of the company and their plagerizing. I hope you will be duely compensated for their unauthorized use of your art work.
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