When people steal YOUR cosplay/photos!

[The Boss]

Hi everyone!
Today something very strange happened and I thought it's a good idea to write it down here, to help others out if they're in the same situation:

Today my friend sent me a message, that someone stole the photos I've taken of her and claims to be her.:eek:
I reported the video immediately but it's still up and I don't know what to do or how we can proof the whole thing...that those photos are ours and that he's not her etc
has anyone ideas? I really want to help her out.
(It doesn't bother me that he stole my photos, but to claim to be her and this awful f###head symbol over her face) :untrust:

the video I talk about: (wildmeryl is Tidus17 on cosplay.com)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3FqWwcYjQQ&feature=channel_page

And further has anyone made the same experiences? what did you do? how did you feel?
Do you do anything to avoid stealing? like watermarks etc? did they help?

I think there isn't ANY solution to avoid stealing of cosplays/ photos beside " DON'T upload pics" but that helps nobody (not one single cosplayer)

I'm sorry if this thread is totally dumb and doesn't suit in here..
..I just don't know how to help my friend.:walkoff:

[Curucar]

I watermark everything I upload outside of this website, so that always helps 'prove' that it's your photos and such.

[Ms. Valentine]

:mad:Hi everyone!
Today something very strange happened and I thought it's a good idea to write it down here, to help others out if they're in the same situation:

Today my friend sent me a message, that someone stole the photos I've taken of her and claims to be her.:eek:
I reported the video immediately but it's still up and I don't know what to do or how we can proof the whole thing...that those photos are ours and that he's not her etc
has anyone ideas? I really want to help her out.
(It doesn't bother me that he stole my photos, but to claim to be her and this awful f###head symbol over her face) :untrust:

the video I talk about: (wildmeryl is Tidus17 on cosplay.com)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3FqWwcYjQQ&feature=channel_page

And further has anyone made the same experiences? what did you do? how did you feel?
Do you do anything to avoid stealing? like watermarks etc? did they help?

I think there isn't ANY solution to avoid stealing of cosplays/ photos beside " DON'T upload pics" but that helps nobody (not one single cosplayer)

I'm sorry if this thread is totally dumb and doesn't suit in here..
..I just don't know how to help my friend.:walkoff:

I'm so sorry to hear that! Your friend did an awsome job on her costume and I hate to see that someone else is trying to take credit for it:mad:! What a jackass! I can't believe people didn't notice that wasn't him, it's so obvious to me that he's faking it! 1st. there's no face and second last time I checked, guys that thin normally don't have boobs! I'll help you!

[The Boss]

@curucar: yeah that's what I did with most of my photos I write a signature under it..but that doesn't help if they cut the sig away xD


:mad:

I'm so sorry to hear that! Your friend did an awsome job on her costume and I hate to see that someone else is trying to take credit for it:mad:! What a jackass! I can't believe people didn't notice that wasn't him, it's so obvious to me that he's faking it! 1st. there's no face and second last time I checked, guys that thin normally don't have boobs! I'll help you!

thanks! Yes I'm really sorry for my friend, too....she loves that costume so much.. but now she's really sad that someone did a "f###head" sign over her face..ouch.
and yes! you can SEE the boobs... and the best thing was:
"where did you ordered the sword?"
A: "I have to ask my friend when he comes back from vacation"

LOL yeah... at least he should've known that this isn't ordered..it's selfmade by her *grrrrr*

I mean: it's okay if he doesn't like her cosplay (or is jealous)
BUT to claim something like that..steal photos without permission AND put that unfriendly sign on it is really...wow.... dumb...and mean.
I really hope youtube will delete it...
She'll even quit cosplaying..and now this video..finish her off I guess.
But thank you!

by the way: does anyone know a good programm to use watermarks?

[Ms. Valentine]

Did you tell the youtube moderators? Surly they'd take it off since they're so anal about copywrite and non permissioned videos.

[The Boss]

Did you tell the youtube moderators? Surly they'd take it off since they're so anal about copywrite and non permissioned videos.

I just reported it with the nice button under the vid
(don't know what to do either)
oh yes.. it's really funny how fast they delete a vid (or music of a vid*gg*) butdon't do anything if you're just a "normal" user/person. and not a big concern/company.

If it isn't deleted within 2 days I'll report it again. It's just hard to proof. the photos aren't on my camera anymore (I guess)

[Miyabi-]

Try to contact youtube and link them to the original source of the video/pictures. You might want to take a picture of your friend in the costume with a timestamp on it holding up a sign saying "I'm the original" or "I'm *insert online name here* I'm the person in these photos" that way they can clearly see that she's the real person in the photos. Extreme measures but it's visual proof.

As for watermark..you can watermark things through adobe photoshop. You can do it in the form of text and then desaturate it so that the letters are sheer.

[Ginny]

Yeah, all you can really do is watermark your stuff and deal with stuff as it comes. Most people don't understand copyrights.

[Ms. Valentine]

Try to contact youtube and link them to the original source of the video/pictures. You might want to take a picture of your friend in the costume with a timestamp on it holding up a sign saying "I'm the original" or "I'm *insert online name here* I'm the person in these photos" that way they can clearly see that she's the real person in the photos. Extreme measures but it's visual proof.

As for watermark..you can watermark things through adobe photoshop. You can do it in the form of text and then desaturate it so that the letters are sheer.

Can you do that with photoshop 9 too? This has opened my eyes to the jackasses out there and I want to be careful in the future.

[The Boss]

@Miyabi- : O.o okay..thanks O-O wow..that's crazy.. (the photos are over 1 year old an she has brwon hair now xD) but yeah we could do a few pics in costume with the sword, sign etc. I have a few pics of the sword on my pc, too. (anywhere )
Ok, I'll give that a try. I hope links to 2 original gallerys will help out and clear things.
yeah really extreme measures.

Lol okay that's an easy way ..will try that for the future! thanks!

[Super80sDemon]

Oh wow. That's sad.

I started watermarking my cosplay images recently because I was alerted to a user on "netlog" who is using pictures taken from my gallery.
http://de.netlog.com/YuuKiSama
I had to have a friend add this person to check their profile. Apparently, I'm 28-years-old and German? XDD
I don't get it though, my pictures are mostly crappy webcam and mirror shots...

I hope you don't mind me asking this in your thread, The Boss, but,
Are there any rules/guidlines on how big a watermark can be on a photo posted here?
Right now I'm using small ones but I *would* like to use a larger transparent type one that can't be cropped out or anything.

[Miyabi-]

You can do it on any version of Photoshop. ^_^

The Boss, I couldn't resist commenting on that buttheads video. If he's going to impersonate your friend he could at least NOT say "I'm a F*** Head" -_- How rude!

[The Boss]

@super80sDemon: oh wow! I'm sorry for that! I can't really understand why people steal others photos -_-°
could you clear things? did he/she take your photos down?
and sure: feel free to write whatever you want :)

@miyabi: thanks guys! I really appreciate it! but don't let this get into a flamewar with this scum. He deserves it...but let him go...I hope youtube will fix this immediately. In a calm way.
And yes... the sign is really very rude. -.-

[RenzokukenXIV]

I just dealt with someone stealing photos of mine not too long ago, last week actually, on Deviantart. I was informed that someone on Deviantart has stolen photos of me and completely lied about them. They said it was taken by a friend of theirs named "Matt", and that he had permission from the models to use the photos. This of course was complete bullcrap considering how I was never contacted and the photographer who took the pictures was not named Matt. This guy had a ton of photos from many different cosplayers, luckily his account has been disabled as of now from all the complaints and proof of his stealing.

From now on I plan to use watermarks on my photos outside of Cosplay.com, it just seems safer to do that.

I am very sorry about your friend, I hate how this person is trying to pass of a wonderful cosplay as their own. And to block out the face it just...wow. Try contacting Youtube until it is finally taken down, or even getting in contact with the person who uploaded it. Although that probably wont work, most of the time when people are confronted they either ignore or deny that they are doing anything wrong. *sigh* I just don't understand what people get out of stealing the work of others.

[superflyaznguy]

Identity theft...huuurrrrttt

[Miyabi-]

Sorry Boss. I definately don't want it to turn into a flamewar but this is one of the things about this commuinty that infuriates me to no end. I see it sadly all the time on places like DeviantArt, Facebook and mySpace.(usually with Japanese cosplayers though)

I genuinely don't undestand how someone can feel good about themselves about this. I mean, if you didn't make the costume how can you possibly take pride in the comments left on it? O_o It baffles me.

[The Boss]

Wha~? YOUR photos? wow. I'm glad that deviantart is normally pretty easy to contact if something like that happens..but it's still unbelieveable that people steal photos..

I found a photo of Omi Gibsons 'L' once on deviantart and reported it to her and deviantart, of course. it was taken down immediately, gladly!

I really HATE it when someone stels photos of my friends.
First Omi, now Tidus17...who's next? -.-°

So you contacted the photographer or know him?
I hope they'll never steal your photos again! I mean: it's a nice 'compliment' if they steal them because they must really like them..but to cover sb's face up with such a sign is really ARGH *can't find nice words for it*

Yeah amybe! but I guess if yomeone relly wants to steal something, they'll even cover the watermarks :/

And thanks! I'll ot give up until he's taken down the vid/stealing <<°
It doesn't bother me if someone makes fun of ME but no one should try to hurt my friends :mad:






Sorry Boss. I definately don't want it to turn into a flamewar but this is one of the things about this commuinty that infuriates me to no end. I see it sadly all the time on places like DeviantArt, Facebook and mySpace.(usually with Japanese cosplayers though)

I genuinely don't undestand how someone can feel good about themselves about this. I mean, if you didn't make the costume how can you possibly take pride in the comments left on it? O_o It baffles me.

no prob! It's a nice gesture frim all of you! And I can understand your rage T__T
but to offend him will not help, sadly.

it's the same with fanarts I guess.. you see something awesome: claim it as your own and are happy about all the nice comments. i don't understand it..but I guess it's like an acknowledgement for their ego?! Until someone recognizes it....I don't know.

Yes! you see MANY asian people plastered all over DA but normally the people don't claim to be them. I remember just one big case.
Mybe they've just fun trolling around and hurt/offend others?

[RenzokukenXIV]

Wha~? YOUR photos? wow. I'm glad that deviantart is normally pretty easy to contact if something like that happens..but it's still unbelieveable that people steal photos..

So you contacted the photographer or know him?
I hope they'll never steal your photos again! I mean: it's a nice 'compliment' if they steal them because they must really like them..but to cover sb's face up with such a sign is really ARGH *can't find nice words for it*

And thanks! I'll ot give up until he's taken down the vid/stealing <<°
It doesn't bother me if someone makes fun of ME but no one should try to hurt my friends :mad:

Yeah I know the photographer, and I told him immediately once I found out. Since he has all the original files from the shoot he was able to use them as proof. So it all worked out in the end. It was nothing like a compliment, they basically made it seem like I was a completely different person with a different name and everything O.o It was really creepy... I understand what you're saying, especially about the sign on the face part. I would be raging if that happened to me OR one of my friends. Not only are they stealing work, but they are also being insulting.

I hope your friend gets thing sorted out, because this person has alot of nerve to just steal photos.

[Super80sDemon]

The Boss, I'm currently trying to friend that user but the captcha security code thing doesn't seem to like me. -_- It seems that I cannot contact them in any way unless I add them.
I may have to pester my friend who already added them to see if I can get any contact info.
If that doesn't work, I'll contact Netlog directly.

[Shifty Llama]

I havent had pictures stolen but Somone on market place dealing with email, linked my gallery claiming it was theirs, it's not direct image taking but its just as fradulent. thankfully I alerted admin and the marketplace now deals only through Pming but it still really sucks to have your work "stolen" its not flattering its just really lame I do hope this gets sorted out for your friend the sistuation just sounds really horrid.

The video was removed By the way infact the account is dead, so i think they got the message

[The Boss]

@super80sDemon: that sucks! hope you can fix things really soon ó_ò

@Shifty Llama: that's even more strange oO;
by the way: I saw a picture of cosplayers often at ebay...like Omi for example. that's really crazy. (or just lazy and better to sell if you take an incredible photo...)

yeah saw this, too Ö_Ö Now I wonder: if HE deleted himself and start/planning the same shit again later or if youtube did that..I didn't receive a message or anything oô
yes 'm paranoid, I know xD

[Super80sDemon]

Nevermind. I'm not going to bother with contacting that person. I just contacted netlog. XD

Now to wait for a reply!

[Arroyo]

No one's ever stolen my pictures or acted like me. I have to admit, I'd be pretty flattered if someone did, even if it would piss me off too.

[EgnirysFaye]

This was talked about some time ago..but it is not a issue that is worthy of dying off.

So far I don't think anyone stole from me (who knows right?) but just the thought of it happening is horrible! and feel so bad for those whom it happened to already. I have witnessed it happen too - a year ago on DA I commented on someone's picture and gave them a compliment. About a few hours later, if not a day, someone replied to my comment saying that it wasn't the original person and actually gave me the proper link for the REAL picture (The copied shot was enhanced with different colours, whereas the original was deffinatly...well, original looking, along with other proofs) Well then, that felt grand ^^; I thanked the person for informing me. I went off and commented on the real one.

I have started watermarking a little bit for my recent posts - I have way too many older pictures to do and with dialup it's just not fun to redo anything. But at least it is a start *crosses fingers* I don't think my shots are "worthy" of being stolen, but anything can happen. Even though the watermarks can be cut out, at least it can show a difference in the cropped copied shot.

Ugh. Stealing art is one thing, since it is stealing credit, but with cosplay it really is the stealing of someone's actual identity! I wish I could kick the arses of all those who do this sort of thing. Even those who just take someone elses pictures for the pure joy of making fun of them, it drives me nuts.

[Ms. Valentine]

Just went on youtube. The scum's account and video has been deleted:crylaugh:!

[tfcreate]

You are all dealing with elements of ID theft, but the main thing here is obviously images.
Watermarks are the best defense in this case, but remember even they can defeated.
Encrypted and EXIF data is good too, but it can be stripped out when the picture is copied, converted or saved.
You have to make it so hard for the thief to succeed that it's not going to be worth his or her time. Visual watermarks are the best in most cases especially over the face or costume.
I know you may think it looks bad, but there is no real way around that. If you post pristine pictures the potential for theft increases greatly.

Personally, I leave how the image is to be protected to the cosplayer since it's their image.
If they want me to imbed a watermark, I do, as well as add the photograph to a registration list for copywrite. This is usually an option if the photo is going to be used for some commercial venture (as well as my own legal protection.)

How elaborate you wish to get with protecting your images is up to you, but here is something to consider, 2 weeks ago, Facebook quietly changed its TOS to include that all files, postings, images and videos posted to their site became their property.
While public pressure forced them to change that, there is no reason why they or other sites won't do it again.

Which means your pictures, stories and anything you post to these sites can be used in everything from ad campaigns to sale to partners and clients and you will have no recourse.
Please be careful what you post, how you post, and where you post.
TFC

[Yuna]

I contacted Ebay as soon as this was brought to my attention and had two email exchanges with some worker there, and nothing came of it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Top-suesses-Kostuem-Cosplay-Design-vom-Final-fantasy-X_W0QQitemZ150311101538

It's still up, as well has the seller using pictures of other cosplayers' costumes, like Adella and Inara. I sited all of this in the email to Ebay as well as their sorce site (here) and over three weeks later, they've done nothing and haven't responded to my last email. Also, all watermarks were removed from the images, which is illegal in itself.

Seems like Ebay doesn't care if people steal images anymore, but put up an outside link on your auction page, and shit goes down!

[PurpleDuckie]

And further has anyone made the same experiences?
Someone was pretending to be me on 4chan's CGL

what did you do? how did you feel?
I laughed, it was kind of funny. But I was confused because I didn't know who was pretending to be me or why. I just posted that it wasn't me and let the thread die

Do you do anything to avoid stealing? like watermarks etc? did they help?
I should, but I don't because I am a very lazy person lol.

I think there isn't ANY solution to avoid stealing of cosplays/ photos beside " DON'T upload pics" but that helps nobody (not one single cosplayer)
Not really, because even if you don't pictures of yourself then other people can still post con photos up and those can get stolen (and they are never watermarked). You can just look out for the pictures, report when possible and hope that it doesn't happen too much

[Miyabi-]

I contacted Ebay as soon as this was brought to my attention and had two email exchanges with some worker there, and nothing came of it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Top-suesses-Kostuem-Cosplay-Design-vom-Final-fantasy-X_W0QQitemZ150311101538

It's still up, as well has the seller using pictures of other cosplayers' costumes, like Adella and Inara. I sited all of this in the email to Ebay as well as their sorce site (here) and over three weeks later, they've done nothing and haven't responded to my last email. Also, all watermarks were removed from the images, which is illegal in itself.

Seems like Ebay doesn't care if people steal images anymore, but put up an outside link on your auction page, and shit goes down!
Ugh..that's so ridiculous. I always get so ticked when I see pics of people I recognize from here on those stores sites. Makes me wish they had a chatbox option to where people could comment..lol

[TwinEnigma]

After a small batch of the last convention photos I took of one person ended up going from facebook to deviantart (it was the girl's cosplay, but still she could have asked for permission to repost), I decided I would be watermarking them more aggressively on facebook, too. See, I usually post the mediocre photos I take to facebook and the ones that really have good artistic quality I watermark and take to dA, but I didn't expect anyone would want the lesser quality photos. Boy, was I wrong. ._.

It's kinda sad that I have to do that.

I don't have a problem with someone wanting photos of themselves, but I'd prefer they didn't repost them to dA, where it's real easy to forget to give the photographer credit.

[Kuroi Yokan]

I've found my group's Death Note skit (as terrible as it is) on different accounts on YouTube, MegaVideo, and Google video. I posted the original on my YouTube account, but only there. Not long after I uploaded it, I saw it in someone else's account. I know it's the one from my account because I trimmed it down from the original video myself. I didn't record it - AnimeMemories/TorontoJack did, but I had the permission to upload it, and it was my group's performance, so it was kind of annoying. They even copied the description I had, which then made it sound like the video was theirs. I reported the stolen video I saw on YouTube, but didn't see it removed. I can't find it now so I guess they got around to it eventually, but it took them a long time. With MegaVideo and Google or whatever, meh, I don't really care at this point. It's still annoying, but I feel like it's a lost cause. At least those didn't use my description, lol.

As for pictures, to my knowledge, I haven't had pictures stolen before, thankfully. I don't know what I would do if I did. It's easy to report on DA, but if it was on like a personal site, it would be hard to fix.

[Pocketfightr]

I actually had a member on here start yelling at me for the poor way I run my commission business because some jerk sent them a link to "their" cosplay list and it was really just a link to my costume galleries. It sure confused the heck out of me because I don't do commissions and was like "Who are you?" After the confusion was sorted out, he/she could only give me an email address, which wouldn't do a hill of beans in trying to get the commissioner either shut down or at least posted on the "who not to commission" thread.

[Shifty Llama]

that happened to me as well allthough the girl was quite polite and double checked to ensure i was the one making her the costume wich i was in fact not. Apartenly this must have been a problem going around because i informed Admin and now the Mp can only operate through Pming so no one can scam others galleries, but it really pissed me off because someone was attempting to gain business of mine and other peoples galleries.

[Eikoseisui]

I've never had any of my photos stolen (to my knowledge anyway), but I think I'm going to start putting watermarks on my cosplay pictures that were taken with my camera.

I have seen a user on cosspace that has stolen a photo of a Namine cosplayer from this site, though. They were trying to be sneaky by making the picture smaller, but I recognized the pose and the background. I realized that this wasn't the same user because the user on here does not have a Naruto cosplay, but the cosspace user does (although that picture is probably stolen too).

[RenzokukenXIV]

I've never had any of my photos stolen (to my knowledge anyway), but I think I'm going to start putting watermarks on my cosplay pictures that were taken with my camera.

I have seen a user on cosspace that has stolen a photo of a Namine cosplayer from this site, though. They were trying to be sneaky by making the picture smaller, but I recognized the pose and the background. I realized that this wasn't the same user because the user on here does not have a Naruto cosplay, but the cosspace user does (although that picture is probably stolen too).

I know exactly who you are talking about, I actually confronted the person but they just erased my comment and ignored me. It's pitiful how they just soak up all the compliments. I think it's sad that the administrator wont do anything about it, those photos are obviously stolen.

[Bunnie-Fu]

I haven't gotten any of my pictures taken but I did have some of my actual cosplays stolen fro me. ;_; it made me so sad! How can some one first off take something that doesn't belong to them, second won't fit them, and lastly something that some one worked so hard in making!

But it was something that happened but it didn't stop me from cosplaying ^_^ it made me sad but in the end I can just always re-make it and take care of it. Plus lock it up were no one can take it!

[ChicoChan]

I hate when people do this. I had someone steal my Ed photos once claiming it was them. There really isn't much you can do to prevent it, because people always want to be copycats. Just try and deal with it when you find out and do your best to expose them.

[The Boss]

I haven't gotten any of my pictures taken but I did have some of my actual cosplays stolen fro me. ;_; it made me so sad! How can some one first off take something that doesn't belong to them, second won't fit them, and lastly something that some one worked so hard in making!

But it was something that happened but it didn't stop me from cosplaying ^_^ it made me sad but in the end I can just always re-make it and take care of it. Plus lock it up were no one can take it!

WHAT? They stole it from you at a con?? wow..THATS even worse than stealing pictures. Can't believe it.

[benihime]

i actually found someone who was just randomly uploading pictures to DA of cosplayers on DA and other cosplayers i've seen here

i said something and they stopped. hah XD

i've actually started putting watermarks on everything.
someone didn't steal my photo but one time someone kinda took credit for my photo. not in words so much but when someone said "awesome shot!" she replied back "thanks!"
when you don't take the shot you can't say thank you. arg. sorry still kinda ticks me off :\

[tfcreate]

There is plenty of watermarking software. Most of it is VERY easy to use and it's free! http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/free-watermark_R3.html
As with all downloaded software, be watchful for spyware
TFC

[The Boss]

There is plenty of watermarking software. Most of it is VERY easy to use and it's free! http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/free-watermark_R3.html
As with all downloaded software, be watchful for spyware
TFC

Hey, thank you very much! I guess everyone here appreciates it! thanks!

[Patches]

Haha I've had my photos plastered on MySpace. Twinrova's got her own account apparently.

[Vexation]

Eh, I ran across one person using my old old old old Kadaj cosplay photos (I don't know why. That thing was... eugh.) and claiming to be me. Even going so far as to use my first name. I quickly put a stop to that, as I contacted the person (I forget what site this was on, some little hole in the wall forum, linking to my dA account and being all, "lol look at my cosplay pics!!1") and said, "You're not me, K? So either you take down the posts claiming to be me or I will report you to a moderator. Unlike you, I can produce photos of me in this cosplay that there is no way you wil lever have. Thanks. <3"

Next day the posts were down and she never did reply to me. Lol.

[Ms. Valentine]

I'm curious because I'm new to internet fraud. How did they get your name?

[Meta77]

I could care less. ive had stuff taken before. sep when comes time to upload new stuff they have nothing. yet i understand the risk. anything you post on the internet can be taken with or without your permission. just look at the world of music. yes it sucks but theres little u can do against it. sure you can remove them from one site but sometimes they wil....ah never mind im not about to start a conversation on how thats possible. *^<* but do be careful what you post

[Sipesh]

Sadly, thanks to really untrustworthy people getting on places like 4Chan, a lot of our actual names have now been given out. Also, most of my pictures that I've ever seen tossed out there were taken off of HERE, so not watermarking your cos.com pictures is leaving a huge hole in the armor. No, I don't watermark my own yet, but for those of you considering it, know that people trolling for cosplay pictures are coming here, not just dA or wherever.

[Vexation]

They likely got my name as I had friends call me that in comments. Oh, it was also leaked on my old EncyclopediaDramatica page. Before ED took it down. But that's another story entirely.

And now the only place my real name is revealed is my Facebook.

[tfcreate]

Sadly, thanks to really untrustworthy people getting on places like 4Chan, a lot of our actual names have now been given out. Also, most of my pictures that I've ever seen tossed out there were taken off of HERE, so not watermarking your cos.com pictures is leaving a huge hole in the armor. No, I don't watermark my own yet, but for those of you considering it, know that people trolling for cosplay pictures are coming here, not just dA or wherever.

All the more reason to not only watermark, but to avoid using your proper names, especially on social networking sites. Many of these people are made of hate and jealousy. The last thing you want to do is make it easy for them to drag you down into their world of dregs.
TFC

[Kyna]

My friend need some help, too. Someone is actually stealing some identity here, using photos and claiming it was hers.

Is it possible to ask the Admin to delete the fake account?

[PaperRedemption]

This happens a lot with that a cosplayer (Jin aka behindinfinity) on Deviantart. I haven't found anyone that's taken any of mine.

It would be mixed emotions if or when it happens to me. I would be a little flattered that someone would want to claim to be me. lol.

[Lithium Flower]

It was not related to cosplay but here we go....

On a different forum website I had someone going around messaging my friends as if they where me (the friends lists where public) and making forums that I was pregnant through my then girlfriend and proceeded to go about messaging everyone I'd spoken to or interacted with telling them this.

It was about 2 days before I logged in(this happened while I was away for a weekend) and I had a huge inbox full of friends asking me "Holy shit your pregnant?" (I would have been about 18 at the time) and messages from complete strangers:"You shouldn't be with a woman, stop being bisexual I'll take your hell baby from you!" and random nasty shit from strangers whom this person had either messaged, or read the public posts.

So I not only had 1)my friends spazzing out wondering what was going on, as this person had access to all of my posts made in the forums and talked exactly like I would have. 2)random strangers who where harassing me for "being a dirty she whore" and insisting that I "stop being bi" and threatening my non-existent lesbian baby..wtf?

People started stealing my artwork and uploading it on their own account(at drastically decreased quality) and even photographs of myself, I had about 5 'posers' on different websites claiming to be me and making nasty comments about my sexuality for...about a year on and off. So all of my Deviantart photographs are watermarked either with the one Devi provides or the one I made myself.

The internet is such a warm and loving place.

I doubt I'll get any cosplay specific 'posers' due to my cosplays not being that great.

[Lorien]

It would be mixed emotions if or when it happens to me. I would be a little flattered that someone would want to claim to be me. lol.

This. I must say I'd be extremely flattered @___@ I'd be sort of annoyed, I guess, or a bit mad... But, you know, I'd know the truth. As long as nobody accused ME of stealing the costume... (then I'd be really pissed off) I guess I'd ask them to take it down, but otherwise it wouldn't be such a big deal.

Anyways, I think I'd be more angry if someone stole my concepts, for either a costume or a skit. I love seeing other people cosplaying the same character as me at a convention, but if they used drawings by me - for an original take on a character - to create their costume, without permission, and then entered into a contest for their cosplay... well, I'd really be angry.

The same thing goes for skit scripts. It's common courtesy to ask any artist for permission to use their things, and it'd really suck to have worked hard on doing something like that and then having someone steal the idea.

@Lithium: Oh my God! That's a horrible thing to have happen to you >: especially if your friends couldn't tell the difference. The internet is not only warm and caring, it talks like us too.

[Lithium Flower]

As long as nobody accused ME of stealing the costume...
@Lithium: Oh my God! That's a horrible thing to have happen to you >: especially if your friends couldn't tell the difference. The internet is not only warm and caring, it talks like us too.


That first part about the accusing me of being the 'poser'? Yeah that happened -___-' I had to make an entirely new email address on yahoo because for four months I was getting porn emails to my aol..FROM MY OWN EMAIL ADDRESS. That means someone was able to get the password and try to send me virus' and shit.

Had to alert everyone on my list not to open letters from the AOL account..block it..all that good stuff. Also had to leave several old accounts from forums and such because I was unable to change the email address.

Kinda sucks >>'

[azhrien]

there is an existing case of this..

my friend, Bea, her account here: http://www.cosplay.com/member/169713/
came across a fake account of her (lots of her cosplay pics were stolen) and claims to be her as well.

fake account here: http://www.cosplay.com/member/138428/qa/

for more details about this insanity, go here:
http://beaaraneta.deviantart.com/journal/25365557/


[+]

[Prodigiosus]

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but identity theft is completely different thing. I glad you were able to find this person. Well there one good thing about your experience at lest you know that your cosplay is good because I do not think anyone would steal a bad one.