What?

[cupcake_goth]

Gothic Charm School mini book pendant on Etsy.



I repeat, what?

Comments

[ashbet]

"Dear Crafty Snarkling,

While I am deeply flattered that you place my book on a level with two excellent pieces of Gothic literature, I regret to inform you that I am forced to request that you remove my name and book title/image from your shop. Unfortunately, US copyright/trademark law requires me to maintain my sole ownership of these pieces of intellectual property, or I could lose the ability to produce and sell my own merchandise in the future. Best wishes on your business, and it's a lovely compliment that you enjoyed my book enough to commemorate it in jewelry form!"

(Maybe check the C&D letter from Miss Manners as a guide, bc I have a migraine and am winging the legal language.)

Alternately, you could offer to license the piece -- for a pittance, if you're not too fussed about payment -- which WOULD preserve your rights. I do think that a book-pendant is rather charmingly appropriate, were you to *wish* such a thing to exist.

(She'd probably say no, since she's undoubtedly using all the rest without permission... but it would be an option, if you felt that she was a sincere fan!)

I agree, though. WTF, internets??!?

-- A <3

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I concur with this on all fronts.

I mean, YAY for being included because ooo so flattering... but also... yeah, um... maybe talk to your agent about whether this is good or bad.

[(Anonymous)]

It is both bad and good. Legally, it's a problem that someone is using her IP to profit. But it also means she's popular enough to be marketable this way.

[javagoth.livejournal.com]

I guess you're now famous enough to rip off. She needs to have your permission to do this. I agree you should talk to your agent about it.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Awww!! That is great!

[sparrowpunk.livejournal.com]

I think the Gothic Charm School one is pretty cute :)

[cmpriest.livejournal.com]

Yeah, people do Boneshaker fan-art - patches, buttons, etc. and sell it ... I got really mad for a day or two, then went, "Fuck it." They aren't making any money worth chasing them for, and besides, I look like a bully if I go after them (or send anyone after them).

So I just let it go.
Not my favorite course of action, but sometimes ... it's worth it.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd figured that just letting it go was going to be my best bet.

[stroppy-baggage.livejournal.com]

There might be a third avenue which is to ask for a set and that you'll say no more about them using your IP without permission. Not 100% sure of the ramifications but it might be the simplest option in the long-term.

[ghost-girl.livejournal.com]

I feel you. On one hand it's like OMG SO FLATTERING AW YAY! and then there's the ohh crap, I should tell my lawyer/agent/company about this, shouldn't I?

I would actually talk to your agent about it and see whether you could license it or give permission. Occasionally the company I work for has seen people who have made unlicensed props, but they're so damn cool that our company reaches out to them and asks if they'd make us a prop or two in exchange for being able to sell them. :D

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Flattering, yet thefty.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

What's frustrating is anyone who knows you/your book, would know you're really quite accessible and that it wouldn't be difficult at all to ~ask your permission~. Sadly, some people don't ask permission because they figure the answer would be no (to which you have to wonder, *why do it* if you think the person wouldn't approve?).

It's like something I saw online a few days ago that said, "Before you "assume" try this method called "ask"".