I got a huge iced coffee, one of those tiny energy-in-a-bottle thingies and some sunshine when walking around the neighborhood.
I think I'm *slightly* more awake!
The title of this post has two meanings...first, I owe the charming bidders (and whomever loyally reads "Adventures in Panties," the original photos from my latest update.
But first, let me offer you the "director's cut" of the video I uploaded to YouTube (for your eyes only!) -
And, naturally, here are the unedited photos from the auction -
(I admit being a little paranoid about covering the world's smallest hint of pubic hair, but I don't want to get kicked off Flickr!)
(Amaya, back in school, didn't take this second set, by the way.
New roommates = New photographers!)
(My personal favorite!)
I added a surprise element to the auction - determining the next item in the mini-progressive format by rolling my dirty dice! I'm a little bit worried how it will go - I'm not sure if people will be into the idea of not knowing exactly what they're getting next!
But you know me...I love a surprise!
Now, let me tell you about something I'm not so crazy about...
The above link takes you to my "me" page on ebanned - at the bottom, I've very clearly stated a disclaimer forbidding reproduction of my work without my explicit, written permission.
Yes, I consider auctions my "work," exactly as much as I consider an installation piece, essay or short story. They require the same time commitment and creativity as anything else I do!
While the majority of theft of intellectual property occurring in the world of panty-selling regards images, I've found my auction format, style, and even text is misappropriated.
Not cool.
I've gradually watched the perpetrator (I'm not naming names) pluck from my auctions for a while. At first, I played it off, thinking "imitation is the sincerest flattery."
But it's gotten to the point where I'm scrolling through this person's auction, fuming, and my roommate looks over my shoulder and says, "that's you, right?" I've brought up the notion of "imitation" a few times in my new auction, hoping this person, or potential bidders, will get the hint. I really hate bad-mouthing other girls and try to keep a positive attitude...
But this person's last auction really grated on my nerves! Particularly because I recently re-vamped my "Me" page with freshly written text. Apparently, the seller ignored my copyright warning - and plucked from the rest of my brand new text!
Some of you may know, I do a lot of freelancing writing. And I'm very familiar with copyright law.
Good artists know their rights.
Most people aren't aware that you no longer need to register with the US Copyright office for a work to be considered your intellectual property. The purpose of registering is mainly to establish a back-up, dated record of ownership, should it be be disputed. Here's a helpful guide from a law-firm that answers a lot of common questions.
(Side note - ArtFlaw lists five prominent lawsuits involving artists. That of David Wojnarowicz -
- Best known for the Hide/Seek Exhibition controversy at the Smithsonian, is particularly interesting!)
I'm proud of my work and ideas and I can't stand seeing them adopted inappropriately for profit. I'm crossing my fingers this seller may fall upon this information and "cease and desist" her plagiarism!
Although I've never had any personal experiences with having photos stolen, I have caught "word on the street" (or, internet cables, rather) about a seller on ebanned who seems to be posing as something like four different girls, using photos swiped off the internet!
I've seen some of these photos and I see them as obviously faux. The images are very clearly taken by professional photographers and portray professional models - they may as well be stock images!
(Not actual image - I just grabbed this off Google!)
But, apparently, a few honest buyers have fallen for it! What's extremely upsetting, however, is whomever is behind the scam, has admitted it! And refuses to do anything!
It sort of stinks that panty/fetish-selling should have so many examples of blatantly poor business ethics. Think about it. It's may be a big step for someone with uncommon sexual desires to finally explore them and don't deserve to be conned.
Misappropriating others work, aside from fair use (and none of these examples constitute as fair use!) really bugs me! I hate seeing honest people (not just myself) screwed!
(Unless it's in the good way!)
I hurriedly wrote a (typo-ridden) email, explaining I'm a freelance writer/artist, just wanting a little support for my work...and hinted I was being shut down because of adult-content. 
No, wait...
