| Copying Tattoo Designs |
Question:
I just found out that someone who saw a picture of my tattoo on the
web wants to copy the design almost exactly! And I don't think that's
right! It took me about 5 years to come up with just what I wanted....and
I finally got it just right. Everything about it has meaning to me. Now
I'm well aware that I can't stop anyone else from getting a tattoo like
mine, but I'm looking for some advice on how to deal with this person,
since she has made me aware of her decision, but hasn't gone through with
it yet. Is there any way that I can protect the design from being used?
I'm at the point where I'm thinking about just taking it off of the
website to prevent this from happening again
Answer:
- You have a right to be upset. When I got my tat
I took my drawing into the shop and the artist made a stencil of it. When I
left I took both my drawing and the stencil. I specifically told him how
long it had taken me to get it just "right" and would appreciate it if he
wouldn't tattoo it onto anyone else. He agreed. Well, six months later I
went back in with a friend to get a tattoo and what the hell do you think
was up on the wall? MY TATTOO! He took it down and tore it up but I'm sure
its back up by now. Its very symbolic to me and who I am and I was very
upset thinking that someone else could be wearing my tat thinking it was
just decoration.
- Try sending a simple note stating politely what you just posted
here.....its really the best you can do. My lover and I saw a great
tat in an artists portfolio and he wanted me to get it...but I
explained that it was someone else's design and I would not feel
right using it. Explain all this kind of stuff it just might work.
- one thing on your side is that the person did contact you before
going ahead and using your design; this might suggest that she's open to
the explanations already recommended. One of the dangers that exists
when putting stuff on the web is that anybody can hit your page, download
your design, and use it without you ever knowing it. If the tattoo is
that special to you(as you've indicated that it is), you might want to
consider just having a description of it up on the web, without pictures.
- That's exactly what I've been afraid would happen as soon as
I finish posting my pictures to my website. I hope that explaining
to the person that you'd rather they not copy your design will deter
them. I also worked for months on a special, unique design and I
would be mortified to see it on someone else. There are pictures in
the artist's portfolio at the studio, but she's careful to explain
to potential customers that the designs cannot be copied.
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