MAGNUM OPUS PIRATES

   MAGNUM OPUS PIRATES

“What we call originality relies on a good Deal of imitation, and even a bit of theft.”
-James Polchin

Are you an artist? Have anyone stole your artwork and identified it as their own?

We create art to express ourselves creatively. Our masterpiece is an embodiment of our personality and traits. Creating it is fulfillment in our mind, heart, and soul. It does not only tells stories but also depicts the latest happenings or controversial issues that are happening in the world.

As an artist, although art is a way to escape reality, it holds us back to see what is the truth behind the struggles of a single creation. Hours of sitting or standing, cost of the materials and beating the stigma like people who see art as a low-level profession. Apart from these wrestle of actuality, there is a never-ending battle.

Technology has influence art in a way by posting your work in social media to get an appreciation that follows positive vibes and a good way to be inspired. Likes, shares, and comments are mostly the bases whether the feedbacks is good or bad.

Appreciation is a form of flattery, some may copy your style or produce in their own concept based on your invention, Rather than working hard or creating their style some will steal and claim it as their own.
Art theft, criminal activity involving the theft of art or cultural property, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other objets d’art. (Kenneth polk, N.D)

Art thievery is the same as plagiarism and piracy. Some will take advantage of and make a profit without the owners’ permission to use their art pieces; this includes business websites that uses publicly posted photos or artworks without paying the creators.

I have seen a lot of these issues, especially on Facebook. Guhit Pinas is a group for many beginners and aspiring artists, it is where they share some tips and help other members of the group to harness their abilities in art. It is a place where they post amazing masterpieces like sketches, sculptures, painting, and many forms of visual arts. Some of the members will discredit the art, display it in the private accounts, and remove the signature of the real owners. To avoid Art Thieves from stealing your artwork here are some tips to help you based on Cary Hill (2017)

STEPS TO PREVENT SOMEONE STEALING YOUR WORK:
Watermark your work on social media: this makes it harder for someone to take your art and makes it impossible for someone to straight up a screenshot and repost your posts.
Sign it: never a bad idea to have a little signature near your work, and similar to watermarking!
Keep your sketches: keep the process art from your design – keep photos of it or even post pictures of it so that you can show that you a: started working on it before the person who stole the work posted it and b: can use that process art as proof that yes, this idea came from you.
Post pictures of your work IRL: if it’s a hand-drawn piece, take a picture of it in your notebook with the pen you used to create it, or a picture of it on your desk.
Add a copyright message: if you’re posting on Instagram, add in the description section a little copyright with your name and the date, as well as a warning to please not repost your images (maybe even a little “I’m watching you ” message).
Be nice to your fans: your fans and followers are a huge asset – they can alert you to people who might be trying to steal or copy your work, and can vouch for you as well.
COPYRIGHT DAT WORK! Copywriting your work isn’t a bad price to pay for protecting it

REFERENCES

Hill C. (2017) How to Protect Your Art From Getting Stolen https://creativeresources.threadless.com/how-to-protect-your-art-from-getting-stolen/
Polk K. (N.D) Art Theft Crime https://www.britannica.com/topic/art-theft