Hey guys, I've been seeing a lot of outrage over a particular website* which appears to be a type of blog about Korean drama shows, but if you type your name in the search bar, your art from here on dA is displayed. A lot of people are angry that their art is being reposted, and I'll address that in a moment, but more importantly, I must warn that you SHOULD NOT ACTUALLY VISIT THE WEBSITE, because it is supposedly loaded with viruses and malware. Plus, typing your user name in the search bar also seems to be the trigger that CAUSES your art to be reposted. More info on that in this journal here: [link]
*I won't type the URL, because it is supposedly rife with viruses, and I don't want any of my watchers' computers harmed.

Now to address those who have had their art reposted -

As I have told you guys many times, I found out from speaking with a lawyer on this subject that if you post artwork for free viewing on the internet, through galleries like deviantArt or Furaffinity, it is NOT illegal for another site or user to repost it on sites like Tumblr, or image collection sites. It ONLY becomes illegal in these instances:
1. You required a payment for people to view or use the artwork, and are losing money because it has been reposted for free.
2. The art has been altered in ANY way.
3. If the user is claiming to have drawn it, because this would be a case of identity theft.
4. If the user is posting the art on a website like deviantArt, where it is implied simply by their uploading it that they drew it. Even with a disclaimer like, "I didn't draw this!", it's still illegal, since dA's user policy states that all artwork uploaded must be your own.

It is not required even for people to ask your permission to repost your artwork, and they certainly don't even need to credit you. That would just be respectful courtesy, and some people don't have any concept of such a thing.

However, most LEGIT image collection sites WILL remove an image of yours if you ask - they tend to be very respectful to the artists, and I appreciate that. So before you jump down a site's throat for reposting your artwork, start by being rational, contacting the owner, and asking for it to be taken down. LEGALLY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT DOWN! However, out of pure RESPECT, most of them will, which I think is completely awesome of them.
(For the record, the website we spoke about earlier is NOT a legit site, and is not only infecting computers, but also potentially making MONEY off searches for your art, which may or may not be illegal. So while some image collection websites are cool, some are just nasty.)

Now, the advice I will always until the end of time give all you artists out there. Since your artwork is almost guaranteed to be reposted at some point, without your permission, and perhaps even without your knowledge, you have two options:
1. Never post your artwork for free viewing on the internet again! ...But since that option sucks,
2. WATERMARK EVERYTHING YOU UPLOAD. EVERY. LAST. THING.

ALWAYS watermark your artwork, and include the URL to the gallery of your choice (mine are always watermarked with "nyaasu.deviantart.com") That way, WHEN (not if) your artwork gets reposted, viewers will ALWAYS know where to find you.

And if you're worried about the watermark being removed - if they do that, YOU HAVE A LEGAL CASE AND CAN SIC A LAWYER ON THEIR ASS. Satisfying, no?

So, the moral of the story is, as always, if you are uncomfortable with your art being reposted and you not recieving proper credit for it, WATERMARK IT. WATERMARK ALL THE THINGS.

Having your art reposted is an annoyance that won't be going away any time soon. So instead of being helpless about it, take action, and DEMAND proper credit, with a watermark!

Thanks for reading, guys, and good luck out there, all my fellow artists!