Okay this is really a big issue and has been for the last 14 years that I've been a webmaster. I don't know why but people seem to think that stealing artwork (and video) is an okay thing just because it's on the internet. IT'S NOT PEOPLE.

It's theft. Someone goes to so much time and effort to create stuff and then to have it ripped off? Come on. If you don't know how to do something, ASK. The artist will be very happy to tell you how it's done. If you want something placed on your site, ASK! How hard can that be? I've never met an artist who wouldn't be thrilled to have their work showcased on sites WITH THEIR PERMISSION. It's not difficult to ask; all it takes is an email.

This mini rant was prompted by Klippart's message on twitter about her (and others) art being stolen and sold on ebay. This isn't a new thing but it's gut wrenching to know someone is just stealing your artwork or your music videos or whatever else.

Stolen art alert to other Xena or fan artist: http://bit.ly/dlvelc Is your stuff is being sold at eBay unauthorized?: http://bit.ly/9SesFX

It's so much easier to steal and pass it off as your own than it is to create it from nothing. Worse is someone stealing it and then selling it.

It will get to the stage where artists wonder if it's worth sharing their creations. No one wants that to happen but it will happen. The same applies for fan fiction and other forms of creative endeavours.