Advice: Is it okay to ask someone not to repost a commission?

[mochacorgi.livejournal.com]

As a bit of back story, I canceled a fursuit commission due to their SO Attacking me and harassing me because she assumed I was "Stealing her man" (I am married, and was married at the time as well)

However I did not have the money to refund him in full right then, so I sent him the supplies I ordered along with a receipt containing the cost of Mats, plus the remainder sum I owe him.

After discussing with him a plan of refund, he offered to take two art pieces to lower the sum, as I am going through financial stress.

However, the subject material he requested is.. awful. It makes me queasy, but when I politely told him I do not draw such, I received a "Do you have my money then??" so I reluctantly agreed.

Is it alright for me to ask him once completed to not post it? I'm not going to myself, but in the end it's their characters and my situation with them puts me at a downside on this.

EDIT:

I've decided to Not even stress myself with the Subject matter and to refund them in payments instead.
They've already caused grief enough for me, and i really don't want to be known for the material they requested

Thanks guys

Comments

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

May I just say that the corner he pushed you into was awful (and the girlfriend is no better, she needs to be blocked asap). Its a subject you are not comfortable with; so does he really think he'll get a great product out of it? Gross. I hope after this you'll cease contact with them both.

As for asking him not to post it, I have a feeling even if you do ask; it won't be granted, so if you can try to 'edit' your style so its not so recognizable... and don't sign/watermark the pieces. And if he says as much ("I'mma do what I want") then ask that he not credit you for the art.

[mistresswolf.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree to not signing/watermarking it and to attempt to draw in a style different from your own. What a weird situation!

[freya techna (from livejournal.com)]

To be honest they sound like a horrible Person and I think It's ok to ask him not to post it since it is your art in the end but I think They can then Start something more since they "payed" for it

[otherscape.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's...an interesting situation. I've never heard of an artist accused of trying to steal someone's spouse before.

Anyway, yes, you are fully allowed to request that he not post the work. You made the artwork, therefore you own the copyright, regardless of if his characters are in there. Whether he'll comply or not is the real question, and my guess is probably no. If you don't want to draw the artwork, maybe try to work out a payment plan with him.

Actually, do you mind posting more details? This entire mess seems fishy to me.

*Edited to add things.*

[mochacorgi.livejournal.com]

Yeah this is the first time I've been accused as such. We were friends but nothing more and he vented to me one time about leaving her.

I guess being an ear = stealing an SO

Once my laptop is back up I will c:

[funkicarus.livejournal.com]

yikes this is....rough
i'd honestly try to work out a payment plan with him instead of doing the raunchy pictures he wants.

if that's really not an option and he refuses not to post it, i'd suggest not signing the work? at least then you've sort of disowned it on a level...

[thaily.livejournal.com]

I think it'd be worth posting a beware about these people for bullying you into drawing content you're not comfortable with to help other artists avoid them, they sound incredibly unpleasant and I for one would block them if I knew who they were.

But yes you can, they didn't negotiate and/or pay for redistribution rights? You can tell them they can't post/repost your work anywhere. And you can DMCA any site where they repost the work anyway.

You could keep the threat of an A_B post to help inspire them not to repost the work, but judging by how they acted towards you already I'd say we'll see that post sooner or later. It'd be better to just not do the art, because it'll likely end up somewhere on-line. Or at the least being passed around via e-mail etc.
As for not putting your name on it or taking credit, there's always people who will delight in identifying the artists responsible for art they'd rather not be associated with. And when it's out there you'll have people assume you like that subject matter and badger you to draw more or socialize with them unpleasantly.

You'd be better off letting them wait for the remainder of their refund and taking commissions from other people to help with those finances.

[sapphistscot.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything here, and I'd really like to know who these people are because they sound like customers from hell. I wouldn't be surprised if the SO's jealousy was intentional to skin you for as much as possible.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

As if the whole "U TEKKING MAI MAHN!"-stuff isn't stupid enough, it could be intentional, or they smelled an opportunity when the OP bowed out because of these ridiculous accusations. Either way it's really grody.

[sapphistscot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, especially when the OP is already married it just seems extra ridiculous to get so hysterical, which makes me suspect it's intentional. Wouldn't be the first scammer couple after all.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Really. Even if the OP wasn't married, odds are she wouldn't want the guy if he was dipped in chocolate and rolled in diamonds. It was just a business transaction.

[exo-formicidae.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say thank you for that line. It gave me a very amusing, yet terrifying mental image xD

[tealmoonxiv.livejournal.com]

Indeed. OP please write a beware on these people.

[pinkpuppybelly.livejournal.com]

Don't do the art. You can ask him not to post it, but you can't stop him from doing so. If it's subject matter you don't want your name on, then never ever EVER do it!

You canceled the commission due to harassment, so if he has to wait a little longer to get his refund, then too bad.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

This.

[mazz.livejournal.com]

This and with his behavior a beware is well warranted and should be written out.
Obviously he is bullying you into doing subject matter that makes you uncomfortable and this should be shown publicly so the rest of us can avoid.

[sacch.livejournal.com]

In agreement with not doing the art, and letting him wait for the refund. He does not deserve your courtesy, and the behavior he and his SO has showed you is outright unprofessional and despicable.

Please PLEASE make a beware on them, too. Go all out.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

What does your ToS say? Do you grant clients the right to repost their work? If so, I wouldn't do the art. If you do decide to do the art, I would let him know before hand that you intend to revoke his reposing rights. Yes, it is your right, but the client should always be notified. He may claim you breached your own ToS and your contract with him by denying him the right to repost.

But don't do the art. If it upsets you that much, it's going to show in the end product and its not worth your time. Even if they agree to not repost it, what's to say they won't later just to spite you? I wouldn't set myself up for that headache.

Also, I second (third?) about posting this transaction here!

[lackoflollies.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna parrot what others said;

Don't do the art, period. Don't give him/them ANOTHER avenue to complain with.

Tell them you'll fully refund them and work out a payment plan with them to reflect that. So long as you stick to your repayment plan, any threats of litigation (Because I have a feeling they'll try that route as a form of intimidation versus 'solving' a problem) are moot.

OH, and save -EVERY- correspondence.

[chronidu.livejournal.com]

I would honestly say if it is a subject matter you are totally not okay with drawing, then don't draw it and instead work out a payment plan to refund him the remaining sum. It's not worth doing something you feel you may regret, especially something that is going to be causing you anxiety and anguish to do.

That said, unless you signed over the rights to the art piece, he does not have the right to post it without your permission. You own the rights to your own artwork, it is up to you if it is posted and no one else.

[four-calamities.livejournal.com]

You are absolutely within your right to ask that they not repost the work. However, from the sounds of it they will likely refuse your request and repost anyways. I'm also going to second a few other people here and say that if the subject matter legitimately makes you feel uncomfortable and you don't want your name on it, don't do it. The client will simply have to wait a little longer for their refund, and honestly they and their SO deserve a full Beware for their harassment and bullying. Their actions sound more than a little opportunistic.

[tartii.livejournal.com]

Definitely do not draw the work. Wait and save until you have enough for a refund.
It sounds like, as everyone has already said, he will post and share the artwork anyway. You can try and post a DMCA and force them to take it down, but it sounds like they would continue to upload on any website. Once it's out on the internet it is out for good.

[kadaria.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you decided to go with the refund. I really hope that this cuts you off from this awful couple for good!