Beware: spadefoot

[shouyugami.livejournal.com]

WHO: SpadeFoot, SpadeHand, Captain YES!, SoulHander, ChessyCat, various aliases containing Ace or Spade or both

WHERE: Operates on Inkbunny, Sonichentai.net, FurAffinity, Hentai-Foundry

WHAT: 40 unique digital and traditional images

WHEN: By admission from the commissioner, he "first got the idea" as of January 13th, 2011, and the commissions were multitudinous, and on-going since then.

PROOF: The proof I have is the archive of 40 images of commissioned pornography involving -- among other characters neither belonging to me, nor the commissioner -- the four following characters of mine that he did not own, and did not have permission to use:

Characters owned by me, themie.deviantart.com :
- Jam (red female monkey) - Proof of ownership: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/70x70-Jam-192478934
- Latika (brown/beige female slow loris) - Proof of ownership: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/Latika-the-Porter-290893910
- Tabitha (beige female sand cat) - Proof of ownership: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/teeking-254000177
- Boogie (green male monkey, Jam's 6-year-old brother) - Proof of ownership: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/And-Boogie-Makes-Three-133920660

EXPLAIN: Over the course of two years, this person, who was a close, personal friend of mine, secretly commissioned pornographic art of the above characters without my knowledge or consent. These images featured graphic, violent rape, strangulation, bondage, impregnation, and incest among other things. A prevailing majority of it featured his character and others raping and impregnating mine. He also in many cases utilized other peoples' characters to rape mine; in other words, commissioned rape art involving characters he had absolutely no ownership of or right to use. Some of the images of my characters were edited splices of my own art. This person, when confronted with it, maintains that what he did would have been alright if only none of us had found out. Furthermore, he cites me as a partial cause of it, saying that I gave him the idea for it when I posted this image: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/Warm-Front-193366536, and that my character received the majority of his fixation simply because she was written in a way that appealed to him, and I supplied a lot of reference art for him to use.





When confronted about it, the commissioner maintained that what he did would have been alright if only none of us had found out.




Obviously, I wish to not post the offending images themselves, and the mod team has allowed me to submit the graphic proof in a private format, not to be seen publicly as this is a very sensitive and hurtful topic to me, and all of the other people that were affected.

Comments

[tealmoonxiv.livejournal.com]

Gross.

[timelapsedecay.livejournal.com]

I remember when this happened... wow. :/

[thecreativepen.livejournal.com]

I remember the post in which all of this blew up a while back. I'm so sorry this happened to you. To have something that lurid happen to something as personal as an OC is just wrong. I hope that one day they come to their senses and realise that what they did was not okay.

Checking in.

[matt shipe (from livejournal.com)]

I'm one of the folks whose characters this guy has used for his disturbing "porn of friends' characters" hobby. Of the characters of mine that I know he used are...

- Rock (white male monkey)
- Midian (yellow/black male jackal)
- Jared (red male monkey)
- Shane (light blue male stork)
- Casey (blue-haired male pig)

Proof of ownership of each (I'm the owner of spindash.net, so where it credits that, it credits me. E-mail admin@spindash.net if in doubt of my credentials.):

- Rock: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/Rockin-the-Bloodstripe-183379569?q=gallery%3Athemie%2F2609100&qo=15
- Jared/Shane: http://themie.deviantart.com/art/Cause-for-Alarm-180766448
- Casey & Midian I'll have to post links to later to prove they're mine. They're not on anybody's devart, and the wiki containing their information and images is currently down and I haven't had time to fix it.

I never gave him permission to have any art of my characters drawn. The way he used them is disturbing, to say the least.

Not sure what else there is to say. This guy's really screwed up, and worse yet, he's still commissioning pictures of characters that don't belong to him as recently as a couple of weeks ago, so there's a very real chance any commissioner who takes a job from him is at certain risk of violating someone's rights.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

"The courage" to commission porn of other people's characters, complete with the accusation that the behavior of the characters' owners provoked him to commission said porn without consent of the characters' owners.

I think everyone would benefit if this guy sought some professional help, before this descends into even more sinister behavior.

[norsepaw.livejournal.com]

I agree.

Mod Post: I have seen proof of the images created

[kerstin-orion.livejournal.com]

While normally we would require some evidence of the aforementioned images before allowing the post through, we have made an exception in this case due to the nature of the images.

Shoyougami sent me several images done by different artists which included exactly the content described in the post, so I can vouch for that part of the evidence requirement.

Re: Mod Post: I have seen proof of the images created

[nakoothetauren.livejournal.com]

I mean this only as a suggestion if it becomes a problem.
If the OP has the images in a file they could set the file size to display as details or lists then take a screen shot of the folder. Amusing there is pertinent information in the names of the images. For example when some artiest create there file they embed there name and the commissioners in the title. I know that when you down load an image from FA it has the title embedded. As well, when a file is sent direct from the commissioner there is no reason it should change name.
Here is an example of what I mean from one of my own commission folders: http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/nakoothetauren/24115328/136294/136294_original.png

Again I mean this only as a suggestion if it is still at all applicable to the post.

-Edited to change icon. Accidently left it on the wrong one.

Re: Mod Post: I have seen proof of the images created

[kerstin-orion.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, of the files I saw, the names were either gibberish or just one word. But that type of proof may be useful in the future, thank you!

[nakoothetauren.livejournal.com]

Is there anything in how he goes about commissioning people that they should be wary of?

I understand for these post he's looking for people who do sonic related adult work, but are there any other tells? Does he call them his characters? or say that its a privet gift?

I only ask because if there are characters not listed that come up from this person someone might not know.
I'm not sure if its just sonic artist this person targets but if it is would there be a way to alert the majority of them to this persons behavior?

Sorry for all the questions, I am just trying to think of how to be helpful.

[matt shipe (from livejournal.com)]

To the best of my knowledge, he...

1. Sometimes makes an alt account to use just for one commission, so as to hide his identity
2. Claims to own the characters in question
3. Absolutely insists upon privacy, to the point where he'll probably seem paranoid/suspicious
4. Provides false names or no names for the characters; may also provide false colors for the characters (I believe one artist told me he asked for Jam to be colored orange; he may color-correct simpler works after receiving them)

To quote him directly:

"I didn't give out any names, gave fake species for them, and insisted it be done entirely privately, or there would be no sale. Long story short, I did everything I could think of to lead the commissionee off the trail of the RP. [...] SpadeFoot was just my old 'evil twin' account. I'd use it, and a spam e-mail account, to gain access to 18+ sites."

[peludrax.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I can't believe people have the utter disregard for others to pull these kinds of things. Its getting to the point that I guess we'll all have to put huge watermarks across things saying " This character is my property please do not use for any commission work without MY permission"

To clarify I don't blame the artists, as a lot of these people, especially the ones who make "hobbies" of it as he calls it, go to great lengths to get what they want (fake accounts, claiming they *are* the creator, ect). Its just sickening that people really are so amazingly selfish as to do something like this.

[dragontripmon.livejournal.com]

Ironically two of those account Spadefoot and Spadehand are on FA. Though not surprised considering the previous AB he made was about another artist he commissioned. It does show his own character.

[novemb3r.livejournal.com]

i remember when this came out on a post a while back, it made me sick to my stomach then and it makes me sick now. this behavior is beyond disgusting and is just plain violating... i'm so, so sorry OP.

Just checking in.

[sharksocks.livejournal.com]

Just checking in. My characters were used as well, though to a lesser extent than the OP's. (There was a lot of baggage involved.)

Owned by me, kazzooki.deviantart.com, and used without permission:
-Mako (blue male shark) - Proof of ownership (http://kazzooki.deviantart.com/art/Knock-on-Wood-285625446)
-Murdoch (dark-green male Tasmanian devil) - Proof of ownership (http://kazzooki.deviantart.com/art/Angry-Drunken-Monsterman-217713595)
-Rodolf (dark-blue male unicorn) - Proof of ownership (http://kazzooki.deviantart.com/art/That-angry-guy-with-lots-of-hair-274452981)

I can't say anything that wouldn't be redundant regarding what the OP or Antevillain have said. Just putting my "I was affected by this, too" in. This guy's got issues.
(As I understand it he is receiving some form of professional help, but in light of recent events it doesn't seem to have stopped this behavior, so there you go.)

_{(editted for clarity)}

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

I thought some people had talked sense into this guy when he was last around here? Guess I was wrong.

Permanent blacklist.

[zackfig.livejournal.com]

Was he listed before? I remember a similar case to this, was it the same person? clicking on the tag just returns this post =/

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

No, the guy made a beware that got approved, and was busted for this skeevy behavior via that.

[zackfig.livejournal.com]

thanks! I knew he seemed familiar, just couldnt tell if it was the same person.

[finnickodair.livejournal.com]

Not listed - he made a beware and then all this came out in the comments - http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/654854.html.

[zackfig.livejournal.com]

thanks! couldn't remember the specifics.

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

I misspoke, I'm sorry!

[fignorton.livejournal.com]

If I remember right, he did say something along the lines of "I understand, it won't happen again". Looks like that was just to get everyone off his back.

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

You're very correct. I can't tell if he's still commissioning them (as in since people spoke to him about it) or not, but regardless... his way of speaking about it is very predatory and concerns be quite a bit. Staying well away.

[dragontripmon.livejournal.com]

I wonder do any of the administrators of the other sites namely Sonichentai, or Hentai-Fondry know about this?

[shouyugami.livejournal.com]

Probably not. I honestly didn't think they would care, and I don't have accounts on either of those websites. Do you think it'd be worth saying something?

[dragontripmon.livejournal.com]

Most likely yes especially if any of those OC is owned by someone especially if they're underage. Considering I can see a lot of bad things that can happen if that was the case.

[shouyugami.livejournal.com]

In this case, no, none of the characters used belonged to underage people.

[armaina.livejournal.com]

The most horrible thing about all this, is that his entire mindset and attitude about it is not unlike that of a sexual predator :| 'You teased me, you brought this upon yourself'
I wonder if his next train of thought is for us to be 'grateful' that he isn't actually doing these things to people, and using art as an outlet.

This strikes me not only as a beware for commission purposes, but a beware to avoid him as a person in general. He does not strike me as a safe person by any stretch of the imagination.

[novemb3r.livejournal.com]

this!

[tealmoonxiv.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[kasune.livejournal.com]

So much this. There are so many red flags and I'm glad I wasn't the only person thinking it. Disgusting beyond so many levels.

[sableantelope.livejournal.com]

Wait....so this isn't playing armchair pyschologist?

Not trying to antagonise the admins but you might want to make your minds up on this one if you're going to give warnings for it.

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

Actually you did NOT receive a warning (warnings include being formally told you are being warned), so you're way off base with that assumption.

Secondly, in the future as we mods are busy folks, it'd be nice if you would drop us a line regarding things like this.

Don't do this again.

[armaina.livejournal.com]

*shrugs* Up to the mods of course, but since it was brought up, if I may, I'm not sure how this is different from statements we see here often about claiming a user to be a con-artist. Both action are actions that require a lack of empathy and both are predatory, but neither are a diagnosis. Yet we make factual, not just speculative, statements about con-artists all the time.

Now if I were to claim they have one of the many empathy disorders, which I'm not, that would seem more like being an armchair psychologist to me. All I'm trying to do is point out that they seem very dangerous on a personal level, to me.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

It's a difficult rule to moderate. Basically, we want to avoid people trying to diagnose people posted on here, it's not what we're for. If someone stole something, they're a thief, that's not really something that would fall under the rule. But if we get a post and someone pops in and starts talking about how the person must have bipolar disorder and how their cousin who was diagnosed showed similar symptoms and blah blah blah (random example, not based on anything), that's not what AB is here for and what we want to avoid. We're here to focus on the transaction gone wrong, not the mental state of the people behind it.

But it's not always going to be clear which is which. Other times, we just might miss a comment that would otherwise fall in that territory. Typically, because it's such a grey area we try not to give official warnings and just tell people to please not do it. Making a passive-aggressive comment (not you) jabbing at the mods because you don't like that you were asked to stop doing something definitely isn't the way to handle it, though.

TL;DR, it's a difficult rule, we do the best we can, and we'd appreciate people discussing it with us like we're all adults. Sometimes we won't agree even if you do, and that's just how it is.

All THAT said, in regards to your comment specifically, it is kind of toeing that line. We would prefer you to not try to delve into such things in the comments, please, and to just stick to the main aspect of the post (that someone is using characters for bad things without permission).

[armaina.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah and I completely understand that, and I also don't expect you to see every little thing ever.

And I can also get that my post can be seen as borderline. I just want to focus on 'this person is dangerous, be careful' and leave it at that.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Please see my comment to Armaina here: http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/674517.html?thread=26061525#t26061525 for a little more clarification. If you disagree with something you were told, bring it up to a mod through PMs instead of using other people's comments as a platform for your issues, please.

[fastbreak333.livejournal.com]

Considering the last time he was here, it's pretty clear that he knows what he's doing is wrong, but refuses to acknowledge it. If he did, then he wouldn't go through great lengths to hide his identity and keep these commissions private.

I'll be sure to warn my friends about this guy.

[radiocatastrophe (from livejournal.com)]

He's pretty much an addict from what I've read from the clips of text and how he carries himself when talking about the issue. He knows he's wrong but he doesn't want to hurt anyone in the end, but then again from the last beware (the one he posted) he doesn't seem to want to get help or find an alternative to this.

It's sad that things have blown up like this, and there isn't much help we can give other than to warn others of his deeds and actions, hopefully once things spread to the point he can't hide anymore he'll come seeking help.

[yarbro.livejournal.com]

"When confronted about it, the commissioner maintained that what he did would have been alright if only none of us had found out."

Well, guess what, we did found out.

Just like most crimes. Nobody would be affected if we didn't know right?

[rimpala.livejournal.com]

Well this is completely terrible...

Backlash?

[shouyugami.livejournal.com]

Apparently, someone didn't like my beware. This mystery person logged into a publicly accessible account, and left the following comment on my dA page: http://spindash.net/visionsofsugar/crap/sourchap.jpg

Dunno if it's pertinent or not, but it's related to the incident, so... Eh.

Is it normal to get guff over bewares from people other than the "defendant"?

Edited for grammar.

Re: Backlash?

[dragontripmon.livejournal.com]

Wow that is a lot of vulgar language.

Re: Backlash?

[kerstin-orion.livejournal.com]

It is quite possible that this is Spadefoot under a different account. I'd recommend blocking that account and reporting it for harassment.

Unfortunately, I don't see an LJ account with that same name, and the DA account has no further info to go by, so I, myself, cannot take action.

I do not recommend replying to the comment or interacting with that account in any way; it looks better to Admins if the person (and their friends) ignore the harassment, report it, but don't engage.

Re: Backlash?

[spadefoot.livejournal.com]

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7177/9pq0.jpg

Dunno what to say. It sure wasn't me. My grammar isn't that poor, you know that. I wouldn't use 'pokephillia' or whatever against you, and I like Nintendo too. I sure as heck don't consider myself a furry, or believe that you have no talent. It's clear this guy is just taking a look at you from a glance and pulling whatever cheap shots he thinks he has.

I dunno what this guy's deal is-- and I ain't that mad at you, specifically, either. Matter a' fact, I've been doin' my damnedest to let go of any anger. Ain't easy, I'll say. Can't imagine how tough you all must have it...

Well... In any case. It's probably one of the people I commissioned in the past. Maybe a French guy. The ones I met talk/think a lot like that. They were all very adamant about that philosophy, of ignorance being bliss.

I'm not here to mend any bonds that folks don't want mended, for what it's worth. I just noticed that comment on your dA, and the, colorful response. That's all. I'm just hear to wash my hands of this particular act of vandalism. God knows I wanna be done with this at -least- as much as y'all do.

Er, and the assumption that I even know the guy, let alone consider myself friends with him. I know how your husband gets when he gets angry, but it would also be really great if he removed my full name from your own front page. Just seems like something you'd rather not have to look at every time you log in, y'know.


in b4 I get lynched