I don't usually use this group message board for anything other than
trying to stay in touch with the enigmatic founding member, Jim, but
this last newsletter I've received got my hackles up. I've sent Jim
a reply, but I wanted to post what I told him on the group board as
a sign of support. Hope this interruption of whatever conversation
was going on doesn't upset anyone, but I'm hoping all of you will
agree with me and back Jim on this issue.
From a reply:
Jim,
I know my opinion might be a little biased due to our
friendship, but I agree wholeheartedly with your decision to use a
mostly "non invasive" method of protecting your work. If a
collector wants your artwork for legitimate reasons and not for
illegal copying, then the stock you print on should only raise the
value. Being able to prove the authenticity of your work is a
selling point for the serious collector. Most of the folks who
start to scream, "Then I'll just take my business elsewhere!" are
probably most welcome to do so to begin with.
Now yes, your fans are the source of your fame and fortune (to
coin a phrase), but you have to take a stand when some try to profit
from your blood, sweat, and overly strained eyeballs (to
paraphrase). You give enough away for free on the group page
(which, by the way, you should digitally watermark somehow if you
haven't already). Don't allow a few people with loud voices and
possibly bad intentions ruin it for the rest of us. I, for one,
would much rather see you continue in your endeavor, even if I'm
still just waiting to see some of the stories we brainstormed about
in high school (FYNL RYD, Tracer Bullit, or the superhero story
modeled after ourselves and our acquaintances) come to fruition.
Keep up the fight. Lemme know if there's any way I can help.
Hey, I still have original copies of Sarge and the "Special Color
Edition" of Sarge sitting in a box somewhere. What good would those
be if they were just scanned copies?
Received on Wed Jan 18 2006 - 23:07:58 CST