Please take the time to read this article. While it is talking about literature, it also explains how copyrighting works and how your work is already copyright as soon as you make it.
http://amberswann.com/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=29I get a lot of requests from people who need artwork or other material taken down from someplace because it's a violation of their copyright. When we have to take moves to shut a person's thread or post down because someone is trying to redistribute YOUR material without your permission, never have regret about this process. Not only are you protecting yourself and your money, you're also protecting other artists in several ways. One way is that you're taking action, which makes other artists feel stronger about having the same thing done on their behalf. Another way you're helping is by showing these people who hack things that they'll either have to up their game or quit altogether and get into some other activity.
I also recently discovered that some sites pay people like this for every time someone else clicks on the download link. The way they make money is by advertising. Ever have one of those links come up where it says "Your download is in queue. Want it to go faster? Pay this premier monthly fee and get unlimited faster downloads!" They also get paid for the advertising you see around the page where the download link leads to. Basically, there's a good chance that the person scamming your work is not just a crazy fan who wants to share stuff for free. They just might be a bit of a mastermind making money off of your hard work.
Learn your rights. Flaunt them. And come to me and see what we can get done. In the least, all parties involved are obligated to take the work in question down within twenty four hours, regardless of if they are to be named in a civil suit or not. It's your artwork, and it's your right.
*NOTE* Also view the following articles and know your rights in regards to these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_Cop ... tation_Acthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Mi ... yright_Act((yeah these are a big deal to me cuz i gots to know my stuff to get your art taken down
but some ppl don't want to go through me and want to handle it themselves. refer to these in your Cease and Desist letter and be prepared to provide digital signatures and/or real life info to get your work taken down. and expect that if the thief doesn't take it down, and the site doesn't take it down, you'll be going after credit card processors and hosting companies next. boy do things move when you have to do that!))
