What are my rights....

[NODIVISION]

...when it comes to getting RIPPED OFF?
I just found out that my old internship is ripping off my work that I left on the computer. I understand that under a W4 I waive my rights to work which I produce for them while there.. but they are taking my old work and updating the info and re-publishing... AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHIT!!! People keep asking me why my latest work for this place looks like shit, all I can say is that I didn't do it. They are also ripping off work that I did for school and gigposters, neither of which EVER appeared in ANY pieces which I produced for them... Last but NOT least, the current designer is giving out my work/line art as SAMPLES OF HIS OWN!!!! WTF? please fill me in on this matter, any advice at all would be more than I have recieved thus far-
-JP

[ronvin]

Everyone has equal rights when it comes to getting ripped off.
Ain't it Grand!

[goad74]

Lead pipe to the dome.

[NODIVISION]

if only it was that easy goad...

[DenisMutter]

pretty much anything you created while interning can be viewed as "work for hire" I think, but they shouldn't touch your personal stuff - sounds like the guy needs a smack down.

[NODIVISION]

yeah- Im not too worried about work which I created for them, it's thiers, thats why I made it... but this guy, who's name is actually JOHN SMITH, is trying to rope in freelance jobs using my work! Lucky for me, most "clients" around here know my style and keep telling me about it rather than hiring him... I mean he's ripping off work of mine that has been in international design mags, FUCKING LOOSER!

[ferg2001]

send a letter.

-Dear Sirs
It has come to my attention that you have been taking my artwork and making it look like shjt. Please cease this activity at once. My lawyer has been informed and said if you fuxkers dont cut the shjt he's gonna come over there and put a size 12 Cole Haan up a mutherfuxkers ass.

yours
Nodivision

[Steve Chanks]

yeah- Im not too worried about work which I created for them, it's thiers, thats why I made it... but this guy, who's name is actually JOHN SMITH, is trying to rope in freelance jobs using my work! Lucky for me, most "clients" around here know my style and keep telling me about it rather than hiring him... I mean he's ripping off work of mine that has been in international design mags, FUCKING LOOSER!

have a lawyer call and let him know your beef. lawyers scare ppl.
can't afford a lawyer? my friend joe will do it for 20 bucks. he's not a lawyer but an A #1 bullshit artist and can scare the doo-doo outta most able-bodied men.

[JGex]

yeah- Im not too worried about work which I created for them, it's thiers, thats why I made it... but this guy, who's name is actually JOHN SMITH, is trying to rope in freelance jobs using my work! Lucky for me, most "clients" around here know my style and keep telling me about it rather than hiring him... I mean he's ripping off work of mine that has been in international design mags, FUCKING LOOSER!

If you did it as "work for hire," he owns the work and can legally do what he wants with it.

This thread is worth revisiting: Work for Hire

For those of you who don't know what 'Work For Hire' contracts are; they are contracts automatically stripping an artist of every right and authorship to any work they created for that client. Legally, it is as if the client created the art. They become the legal author of all the work done for them, and they automatically own the copyright. They can take the art and do whatever they want with it...put it on whatever they want...change it... sell it to whomever they want...and the artist will never see another dime. For instance, let's say you get paid $500.00 to do a tour shirt for a band though some big merch company (which would be a sad fee in and by itself). But since you signed a "work for hire" contract...now they are free to also sell the shirt in Spencer Gifts or in Target ...or put it on lunch boxes...or sell it to the band for their album cover...or make stickers of it...or whatever. They could make thousands and thousands of dollars for art they only paid $500.00 for. And legally, you couldn't even show it in your portfolio, much less sign the work without their permission, or use a portion in something else you create (you could even be sued for copyright infringement yourself if you did.)

[Millah]

And never keep personal projects on work computers... I believe that can fall under the ownership of the company. I've seen contracts/waivers that state any work created with the company's property becomes property of that company. But you should definitely talk w/ a lawyer.