Top 10 ways to spot a Forgery

THE TOP 10 WAYS TO TELL IF YOUR PURCHASE IS A FORGERY

1.Is the seller listed as living in the United States? If so don't stop there, if they list their email or telephone number check it out on one of the numerous reverse address search sites (I use spokeo.com) find out where that cell phone or email address is really coming from. If it is listed as coming from anywhere but the location they provided in the listing be wary!)

2. It seems obvious but check to see if they have multiple listings of the same original, on the same site.

3.If the price is less than $1.50 per square inch from a well known artist is is a bootleg.

4. Check to see if the artist is listing under the "direct from artist." Contact seller and ask if he/she can tell you anything about the origins of the painting and what inspired him/her to paint it. Or "are you the Artist?" If you get a no, or I don't know for either of those questions, walk away.

5.If they are listing it as signed by artist ask whose signature is on the painting. Enter that name into Goggle and if can find a website, email/phone number contact them and find out if the seller has permission to sell their work and ask the questions listed above in #4. Again anything seems out of place it probably is.

6. Type in the ebay search some of the keywords that describe the art you are interested in and check to see if there are similar works being sold. If they are priced higher, that may be your original artist. Contact them (most artists are more than happy to talk with potential clients and fully appreciate a tip concerning a possible bootleg.

7.Ask the seller, via email if they have any other art for sell. If they respond check the spelling and grammar in their reply. Yes we all make typos but too many is a red flag.

8.Check toward the end of the listing for some fine print that says something similar to this "* Although this painting is an original that is painted and signed by the artist, there are several examples/interpretations of this painting that are very similar in design. These reproductions are also painted and signed by the original artist" (Make sure you inquire as to whether or not these are actual originals, as the same painting done twice or mere a Giclee'), limited edition, or where an artist (not the original artist) paints over the copy, with a clear texturing agent to appear as a painting.

9.If the title of the Auction says Original and the 1st sentence in the ad is "this is not a print" that is a sure sign that it is a print.

10.Check out the Sellers store, if he is selling more than 10 non art items, or his store is listed with a non-art related title he is not an artist. Artist may sell other things with their accounts occasionally but true artists sell primarily ART. Check the feedback to see how much of the positive feedback is coming from Art Sales. If they are going to consistently sell other things they will open a different store.
For Further reading on copyright infringment, ect concerning ebay, I recommend:

CHECK OUT CURRENT Alma Lee AUCTIONS

Alma Lee Art is one of the most Forged art on the internet. Every effort is made to prosecute the bootlegger to the fullest extent of the law. Widespread, and largely un-prosecuted crime the key is quick action. If you find any forgeries while surfing please let us know.

MOST RECENT BOOTLEG
Found on EBAY
Original is SOLD, No Licensed prints Contracted.

I need your HELP!

PLEASE PLEASE I need your help.I have been dealing this past week with a bootleg of 2 of my pieces of art for sale on EBAY. I have contacted the powers that be, and filled out the necessary forms. Problem is the bootlegger is a TOP RATED seller (mostly solar equipment) on EBAY and I am not. That said this is what I would appreciate your help on. Every Auction has a question for the seller at the very bottom of the listing. I would like you to in your own words tell him you know the artist Alma Lee and his listing is not part of her official site or auctions. Ask him to please respect copyrights, as the sole providence of the artist. This may seem like a small problem but it really is not. I lost control of all the art work I did pre 2006 to China. It went "national" meaning they consider it property of China. They produce my same art on various products at will and I don't see a cent. I have reason to believe this is what is going on now with several of my pieces. I want to put an end to it . I will tell you the girl and the cat (love me Love my Cat)original was sold it was a 9x12" in color pencils. I still retain the original of Christ and the Thief. The bootlegged copies are very good and even include the "hidden" marks I put in every piece. Here are the links and I hope you will help

Love Me Love My Cat Bootleg

Christ and the Thief Bootleg

I have a right to my own style

I am so very disheartened. As an artist I have like so many others invested years into creating my own style. In 2006 I finally hit on something that was truly unique. I was used to being ripped off in the world of licensing, but even they had the decency to "rearrange" my originals. Now I find these auctions on ebay, virtually a carbon copy (see below) well she did forget the leg on one of them. Here is my quandry: she does beautiful and unique work in her own style, I don't even know why she would want to out and out copy mine. You know, the general masses these days don't think much of copyright infringement as they run copies off there inkjets, and bootleg CDs. But back in the days of the master painters they had a word for it. It was called forgery. Come to think of it they had a punishment too, it was called prison. I apologize for not posting the offending pictures, however Ebay will not let you copy someone elses auction without thier permission. Now they care!!!
Offending auction:http://cgi.ebay.com/Whimsical-Cat-by-world-listed-artist-Vitbich_W0QQitemZ320439766432QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Paintings?hash=item4a9bb2cda0

Kitty in a Box by Alma Lee©2007

The second offending auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/Whimsical-Cat-by-world-listed-artist-Vitbich_W0QQitemZ320436933167QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Paintings?hash=item4a9b87922f

Kitty Birdwatch by Alma Lee©2007

Shepard Fairly-aka Shepard (Un)Fairly

The recent controversy surrounding street artist Shepard Fairly,Garcia, AP over the Obama is just one snowflake, in the giant copyright Snowballs chance in hell. He is doing what so many have decided was ok, even avant gaurd to do. It has become a way of life, it seems in the Art world. Fairly, wants to portray himself as an anti authortarian figure, in the modern world of art and politics. According to Wikipedia He said of his first known copyright infringement (Andre the Giant) this is "an experiment in phenomenology." I think his marketing and public relations strategies are far more subversive than his so called art. His genius lies in his ability to generate, and manipulate, both the media and the law, into his own private marketing vehicle. He has some how managed to bite the hand that feeds him, all the while passing it off as a kiss! His "art" though not his at all, contains so little originality, that his signature should not only be questioned, but removed and put what little individual creative left into a giant free for all clip art book!

For Sale: Our culture's collective soul

For Sale our Culture Collective soul



We all like deals and in fact the cheaper the more exciting the conquest. I am no different, but I would like you to give the following some thought the next time you decide that buying that pirated CD ect. from China, or pick up that little decorator do dad to hang on your wall, or clever little time saving device, (and by all mean do continue buying them without customers we have nothing), understand, someone has put their heart and soul into that piece, in an attempt to make your life easier, prettier and better. And it is hard work...none of us have a magic wand. Now turn over and see where it was produced. Then read this article from my business associate, Karla Buckley. And see if it doesn't change your perspective. It is time to value our cultural assets, our artists, engineers,inventors ect. We have become a get for next to nothing society, cheap fast and easy. There is a price...a huge price. And finally ask yourself how much are you willing to pay for the forfeiting of our collective cultural soul?

We have all heard about the huge piracy problem in China. One might think, "It's really not a big deal. China is just making copies of DVDs and software that big companies like Microsoft and Warner Bros. produce. Those big companies make enough money anyway." Unfortunately, not just large companies are affected. Small businesses are losing thousands of dollars as well.

Alma Lee Originals, Inc. is a small home-based business that creates artwork. The artwork is licensed to manufactures, who then produce art prints and home décor items. Alma Lee Originals, Inc. negotiates contracts, which give legal permission to these manufacturers allowing them to produce and distribute a specific number of items over a given period. The manufacturers agree to pay Alma Lee Originals, Inc. a royalty fee, which is a percentage of the sale on each item sold.

Many of the manufacturers contract with Chinese vendors to produce the product. Alma Lee typically sends the manufacturer a JPG file of the artwork and the manufacturer often sends the file to its Chinese vendor. Unfortunately, once the file is sent to China, the file runs the risk of being nationalized.

Alma Lee Originals, Inc. was recently the victim of such a theft. Alma Lee, the creator of a line of roosters, was shopping at Hobby Lobby and noticed a set of clocks featuring roosters from the Alma Lee collection. When she examined them closely, she also saw her signature. The back of the item was labeled with Hobby Lobby's copyright, but the artwork was clearly produced from Alma Lee files.

Hobby Lobby was contacted and made clear the fact that they were not responsible for the alleged copyright infringement. They did not design, develop, or manufacture the items. Hobby Lobby simply purchased the items from a third party vendor in the course of their normal business operations. Their vendor, manufacturer of the product, Fuzhou Profit International Trading Company was unresponsive to both phone calls and written responses. Alma Lee Originals, Inc. was left without recourse and was simply told by its art licensing agent, "As you know, it is very difficult and expensive to prosecute piracy cases in China. It is a huge problem."

The situation is disheartening. The Chinese manufacturer makes a profit by manufacturing and distributing Alma Lee's artwork. The U.S. retailer makes money by selling Alma Lee's artwork in its stores, while Alma Lee receives NOTHING. (Please note Hobby Lobby pulled the Alma Lee inventory from its shelves and is no longer doing business with Fuzhou Profit International Trading Company.) Alma Lee Originals, Inc. is a small business with limited resources and cannot afford a legal battle with the Chinese government.

The lesson learned is simple. The U.S. is part of a global marketplace. Since we are no longer a manufacturing society, our main commodity is our intellectual, trademarked and copyrighted property. We are giving away our competitive advantage, and run the risk of our property being taking over by the Chinese government every time a piece of intellectual property is sent to China.

Key Definitions:
• Licensing - legal permission to do or own a specified thing
• Nationalized – to be taken over by the government.
• Communism – collective ownership of property