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.
what is even more disgusting to note is that when you leave a comment they automatically sign you up for their newsletter...how annoying!
Posted by: Laci | February 10, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Oh Eloise.. I'm so sorry to hear this has happened to you! I'll be writing to express my complete disgust and dissapointment in the company.. maybe there'll be enough of us to rattle their cage. I'll retweet your post too.. would you mind if i directed my blog readers to your post also?
You have my support :o)
Hugs!
Chloe x
Posted by: Chloe | February 10, 2010 at 11:25 PM
I just sent them an email! I hope you get enough awearness on this, as it has to stop!
Take care,
Jess
Posted by: JacDesigns10 | February 10, 2010 at 11:35 PM
I cannot thank you enough! All of you! I'm putting my battle hat on and marching forward!
Of course my dear Chloe and everyone else, feel free to link to my post and tweet or share however you like!
Bear hugs,
Eloise xxx
Posted by: Hidden Eloise | February 10, 2010 at 11:43 PM
I'm so SO sorry this is happening to you. You're one of my very favourite artists, and this is so unfair and infuriating. I'll definitely write them an e-mail asap. Good luck - I hope justice will be made.
Posted by: Nymeth | February 10, 2010 at 11:45 PM
This is infuriating. It's a very sad thing that so many big companies have so little integrity. Their "designers" are just a bunch of talentless, unimaginative people who scour the websites for independent artists to rip off.
I am so deeply sorry this has happened to you, and I honestly feel your pain. You are a brilliant artist and a wonderful human being. Just remember we're all in your corner!
Dennice
xoxo
Posted by: dennice | February 10, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Hey Eloise,
The blogger who featured the totes credited the design to a 'Kitty Mason' of 'Gather no Moss' - this is the website the design apparently came from, if this'd help...
http://www.gathernomoss.com/index.php
Chloe x
Posted by: Chloe | February 10, 2010 at 11:55 PM
I am so sorry that this is happening to you, it's every artists worst nightmare.
Good luck with the fight,and I'll also spread the word for you.
Take care
Alison
Posted by: Alison | February 10, 2010 at 11:55 PM
you know what i think my lovely. angry letter-done, tweet-done. tobyboo hugs and spy eyes out at all times xxx
Posted by: Tina | February 11, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Recently discovered your work (which I love!). This is really wrong and sick, going to message them. Glad you are sticking up for yourself and artists in general.
Posted by: Sebastien | February 11, 2010 at 12:12 AM
Used to love Paperchase because I thought they were so innovative and cool with their graphics. Now I know how they do it, I'm rather less impressed. Thanks to Jaqueline for her insight (above), and to you for speaking out in such intelligent and measured terms. I hope it works out somehow. In the meantime, I'm off to smash my Paperchase owl mug into the bin :o/ Jen x
Posted by: sewcraftyfox | February 11, 2010 at 12:24 AM
I'm fuming about this! I have contacted Paperchase and will be tweeting about this to try and raise awareness.
xxxx
Posted by: Graphiquillan | February 11, 2010 at 12:30 AM
Letter sent. What a crappy corporation.
Posted by: sarah | February 11, 2010 at 12:37 AM
You make me feel so strong, everyone! I will not take one step back!
I'm going to bed to recharge and start all over again tomorrow!
Warm bear hugs,
Eloise xxx
Posted by: Hidden Eloise | February 11, 2010 at 01:09 AM
this has been happening so much lately.
a friend of mine had the same thing happen with asos and after exposing them on twitter, they did withdraw the item in question from the site.
she blogged about it here:
http://www.ladyluckrulesok.com/journal/2010/01/artwork_theft.php
it will be more difficult for you as they have based an entire range on your character, but its still worth kicking up a stink!
it doesn't look like they have a twitter address, so can't get them directly that way. but if enough people email them, maybe they will do something. (or not!)
anyway, good luck with it all,
and don't let the bastards grind you down!
take care,
sanna
Posted by: sanna | February 11, 2010 at 01:38 AM
I sent them an email too. Disgraceful behaviour.
Fingers crossed you get it sorted.
Fabulous work by the way. I do heart a dignified bear. :)
Deadly Knitshade x
Posted by: Deadly Knitshade | February 11, 2010 at 02:17 AM
I also sent nasty letter on your behalf, perhaps if they are peppered with enough hate mail they will pull the products. Sorry this happened to you, I love your work.
Posted by: jenni | February 11, 2010 at 03:23 AM
I'm shocked.
email sent to pc... grrr
Rest safe in the knowledge that your original is far superior
wishing you all the best,
g
Posted by: Georgie Brothers | February 11, 2010 at 05:24 AM
I also wrote an email, as well, making sure to let them know that i would be telling my friends, they would tell their friends and so on. Such awful people.
Posted by: m. | February 11, 2010 at 05:38 AM
Disgusting. Truly awful.
I'm sending a letter too! And retweeting!
Posted by: Heather | February 11, 2010 at 08:18 AM
I'm shocked... this is serious and very very sad! I admire your work very much and can only imagine how you are feeling.
I'm going to write them an email and more: I will not buy from paperchase anymore. After this, I can't really trust them.
Good luck,
margarida
Posted by: ei! kumpel | February 11, 2010 at 08:25 AM
I am absolutely sickened..just sickened by this. This could happen to anyone of us. I will spread the word and write to them and really give them a piece of my mind. Despicable to say the very least!
My heart breaks for you Eloise..errrrghhhhhh
Posted by: Trudy Hylant artbytrudy | February 11, 2010 at 08:59 AM
this is disgraceful. so sorry for you :-(
Posted by: heather | February 11, 2010 at 09:07 AM
Have you contacted the AOI about this? Maybe they can help.
Posted by: anke | February 11, 2010 at 09:14 AM
My gosh...this keeps happening more often...it's scary to think indie artists have no power at all...I hope you can resolve it all soon. I am so sad Paperchase is responding so negatively...sigh.
Posted by: linda | February 11, 2010 at 09:20 AM