What if someone asks permission to recast your work?

[KaraZor-El]

I received an odd (and to me...scary) PM from someone in another board asking for my permission to recast a helmet that I've made. Now, I don't have to tell you why this makes me nervous. Recently I found out that someone from my past (I shutter to mention that I used to date him e_e) in fact DID recast this helmet, and who knows how much money he made from it. So that really irks me.

But this person mentioned how they modified a kit of mine that they bought from someone else from that board, and they've changed this or that, and now they want to know if I would be willing to allow them to recast it for a certain amount for royalties for each helmet they sell.

I mean, to them it may seem like an innocent question, but RAWR!

I spent hours and hours (no...WEEKS) sculpting this helmet. I literally locked myself into a shed (in the WINTER time!...in another country! long story...), and did not eat, barely slept, and barely ever came out of that shed- sculpting this thing. This is more than just my work, it's like my baby >_>

And now someone comes along and just thinks it's okie dokie to make money from someone else's hard work? Sure, they make a few modifications that I myself publicly have stated "I am going to revamp this soon", but that doesn't make it "their" work. They are working on top of my work.

Ofcourse I told them No, but at the end of the day, that word "No", doesn't have the power to keep someone from doing it.

In the case of this person, I wish he knew what he was asking. To just take a kit and make some adjustments here or there and think "hmm...well I changed some stuff...I want to make money from it now" makes me sick.

The obvious answer is no, but I just felt like ranting.

 

[Funky]

Your work, your right to say no.
One thing that I do have a question about is you stated you were contacted by another board, or did you mean board member?

 

[jts1031]

Well, at least they took the time to ask first. But instead of just saying no, I hope you expressed your reasons to them as you did in your post. Not that you have to justify yourself, but maybe you can open their eyes, and they not think you are just being unreasonable.

 

[Solaj]

Whats the old saying?

"The secret to looking original is to keep your sources a secret!"

I wonder how much of this goes on? :confused

 

[micdavis]

What are we talking about here. Your idea? or your version of something else.

Do you plan on making any more? If no, take the royalties.

Is there really a significant difference in what you did to what they want to do?

Most importantly if it's not your idea, don't throw up a red flag stating you're going to collect royalties on something you don't really own.

 

[KaraZor-El]

Oh, yes, I meant I was contacted by someone on another board.

I was very nice in my response, and I did explain how I felt about it. I made sure to let them know that I apologized if I came off as harsh, but given the fact that someone else already had recasted it, it put me on edge somewhat. I was very nice and sincere in my response, but I also have let people walk all over me in the past, so I wanted to make sure that I stated my case without being angry or nasty, but I'm not just like "Oh, golly gosh mister, please don't copy my work, but if you do, that's okay..." type of attitude. Because believe it or not...that's actually how I used to be... >_<

 

[DivineHeresy]

I agree, your work, your right to say no. I just hope they listened and don't recast anyway.

 

[Funky]

So were you contacted via PM by a board member here on the RPF (as in an active RPF member)? Or were you contacted on another board altogether?

 

[KaraZor-El]

What are we talking about here. Your idea? or your version of something else.

Do you plan on making any more? If no, take the royalties.

Is there really a significant difference in what you did to what they want to do?

Most importantly if it's not your idea, don't throw up a red flag stating you're going to collect royalties on something you don't really own.

I actually do plan on making more. I planned on doing a revamp and doing a new run in the future, which I have said that I planned on doing in this online community. I haven't been making any currently because I have been very busy.

I did tell this person that I would love to see their progress, because that was my first thought. "Exactly how much work did this person put into this before they decided they wanted to sell them? Was it a little tweak here or there, or was it a huge revamp?"

And the helmet is my version of an existing design, which I myself don't have rights to. But I don't want to collect any royalties. I just think if someone wants to offer something, they should make it from scratch themselves.

 

[KaraZor-El]

So were you contacted via PM by a board member here on the RPF (as in an active RPF member)? Or were you contacted on another board altogether?

Oh, I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood earlier. I was contacted on another board alltogether, and I am pretty sure they aren't a member of this board...though I am not positive.

I am not really mad at the person for asking me this, but I thought that it was important to atleast make a thread JUST IN CASE.

I have always been a little naive and thought the very best of people, but after some recent events in my life I think there is nothing wrong with being cautious and publicly sharing my feelings and the situation so that in the future if in fact this person does come along and say "this is my work, you had nothing to do with it" and sells it anyway, I can point to this thread and say "I made a public announcement right after you asked me to recast it, and it shows that you had intent on recasting"...or you know...whatever.

I don't want to seem all dramatic, but I just want to take a little better care of myself and watch people a little more closely from now on.

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

I would have to say it is good that you said NO. Primarily because of all the hard work you put into your original......

However (and before anyone attacks me this is a question I have pondered and have no answer)

:confusedWhy is it NOT OK to recast someone's work yet some people (in general) think that it is OK to to recast "original" movie props. Aren't the "original" movie props considered to be someone elses work as is an individuals recast? :confused

Again I own several recasts from "original" movie props so this is not aimed at anyone.......

 

[micdavis]

.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I don't get it. They made changes and then contacted you about whether it was okay for them to make copies!? What's the offense here?

You have every right to say no, but it seems to me that they like your work and respect you enough to ask prior to going forward with their plan and chances are they may respect your no and stop their plans altogether, since you are going to re-release an updated version on your own.

Sounds pretty decent to me and pretty rare these days that people actually ask permission before doing runs of items from other artists.

 

[Funky]

Oh, I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood earlier. I was contacted on another board alltogether, and I am pretty sure they aren't a member of this board...though I am not positive.

I am not really mad at the person for asking me this, but I thought that it was important to atleast make a thread JUST IN CASE.

I have always been a little naive and thought the very best of people, but after some recent events in my life I think there is nothing wrong with being cautious and publicly sharing my feelings and the situation so that in the future if in fact this person does come along and say "this is my work, you had nothing to do with it" and sells it anyway, I can point to this thread and say "I made a public announcement right after you asked me to recast it, and it shows that you had intent on recasting"...or you know...whatever.

I don't want to seem all dramatic, but I just want to take a little better care of myself and watch people a little more closely from now on.

Ah! Gotcha.
Well, like you said, it's your baby. Don't let anyone bully you into you giving up the helmets rights (such as they are). It's your hard work, you make the call.
May I ask what helmet it is?

 

[Too Much Garlic]

May I ask what helmet it is?

Yeah, I'm interested too.

 

[Newbie Doobie]

You've heard of "say no to drugs"? Just say no to thugs!!!:lol If you don't want it recast,then just tell them! Just my opinion!2 cents

 

[jts1031]

I think the actual consideration to ask first is what's throwing everyone off. If you are going to be offering a modified version, I understand you saying no. Perhaps this other person could market just their modifications seperate from the helmet, as just an upgrade to any existing helmets, without actually copying your work.

 

[KaraZor-El]

This person has responded, and it really does seem innocent to me now. He is polite and everything, and seems respectful. But I am still curious to see his modified kit.

I think I just went through a whole lot for this helmet (really), and I may have taken offense at the question, because of the last few years. Already being recast, and well, other things...I guess I got emotional. I feel a little bad now, because this person does seem to like my work- but I need to be careful now. I'm still not into the idea, but I do appreciate his approach.

But this is the helmet in question. My fanmade Green Ranger helmet from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Nice looking helmet. How long did that take to make?

Sorry to hear you got recast.

Well, regarding you giving permission. The fact that he's earnest and asked permission first and doesn't seem to have any ill intent, doesn't mean you have to change your opinion. You can still say no. If he's as honorable as his first intent - to be respectful of your work and ask permission - then he'll not move forward. In an ideal world it would all be like this.

 

[DivineHeresy]

I'm not into Power Rangers myself but can see that you've put alot of work into it. Hopefully everything turns out ok and the person does listen to you.