Last Rant of the Year: Thievery

Nothing to Disclose 

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I'm sure many of you in the nail art world have discussed and re-discussed this topic into the ground already. I've remained silent until now for two reasons: 1) I'm mainly a swatch blogger and only do nail art for fun and 2) My blog has always strived to remain drama-free. I still intend to be drama-free as I'm not jumping into the fray.

But I do want to talk about how I feel about the entire MissJenFabulous thievery and the resulting backlash.

If you don't know what's going on, I recommend watching Zenorah's YouTube Video first and then I'll give my thoughts.

It's been widely known among nail artists that MissJenFabulous frequently showcases nail art directly copied from real nail artists and bloggers and passes them off as her own - and makes money from it in addition to getting published with someone else's stolen designs. Zenorah calmly gives links and examples and sticks to the facts without personal attacks in an attempt to make others aware. People who follow this particular person aren't likely aware because all comments that point out who should have credit for a particular design are promptly deleted.

Here's where I have a problem, though. There is a real hate campaign going on in which photos of MissJenFabulous have been dug up and are circulating. Photos that are just a tad risque. Now I've seen the photos and it's nothing you don't see on Facebook every day so I find nothing really scandalous about them at all. But why? To what end? How is it relevant at all?

There was a valid complaint. What she's doing is WRONG. The facts are all that were needed and this sort of crap (photos that have nothing to do with stealing from artists) just serves to invalidate the people posting/spreading it. It has ZERO to do with the issue at hand. What the hell people?


The part that scares me is the lack of common sense I guess. Gradients are a technique. Do I need to research who did the first ever gradient and give credit? Common sense says no. But if I don't will I be accused of stealing? I mean maybe not on THAT - it was just an example. The point is, can we trust people to use common sense? Nope, unfortunately we can't. 

I do my own designs OR I give credit when I am doing Copy Caturday or even if I'm "inspired by." Unless it's like candy canes at Christmas. Everyone does them. I don't think credit is necessary there unless you're copying a very unique take on candy canes and doing it exactly. 

But have I done my own thing and not been "inspired by" anyone else at all and then still felt the need to google to find someone to link just to cover myself? Yes. Should I have to do that? No. 

What she's doing is 100% WRONG and not the same thing at all as what I'm talking about. But are people sensible enough to know the difference? 

I'm beginning to wonder.

There is a fine line here and I really hope people employ common sense.

I am an artist myself - acrylics on canvas mostly. And I can tell you that when your intellectual property is stolen it's a horrible feeling. Yes, more horrible than if your house is burglarized. That's happened to me too. This is much more personal and hurtful in my opinion. And when they take full credit and even make money and get published using YOUR intellectual property? YOUR hard work? It's not only a horrible thing to do, it's illegal. She hasn't stolen from me that I know of. I don't follow her at all anymore on any social media and it's not like I'm cranking out the nail art but I do have nail art designs that I've created, so because I am open to thievery as well, I do have a right to my opinion.

But just state the facts. Show the proof. There are plenty of examples. Plenty of material with dates. Plenty of photo evidence. WHY on earth would anyone think a vile hate campaign with stupid irrelevant photos of the person in question be anything but detrimental to their cause?

And so what if it's not your work being copied this time. If you don't stand up against it with them, who's going to stand up against it with you when it happens to you?

Zenorah did it the right way I think.

And that's my 37¢ worth for today.

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