Amazon Response to Copyright Infringement

I have an Amazon Merch Shop that sells t shirts using my original pet portrait images. I also sell three children’s books on Amazon. Aside from that I have my own website that consolidates all the websites that showcase all of my digital art work along with this blog and other social media items. So it was with surprise when I saw a coffee mug being sold by Camellia’s House with my pug dog portrait and another mug sold by Withpiper using my retirement portrait. I knew they weren’t my items because I don’t sell coffee mugs on Amazon. I emailed Amazon and informed them that I was neither contacted by nor granted permission for either of these shops to use my artwork. I received a response but nothing happened. So I tried again via chat. After getting connected to a fourth person - who knew what I was talking about - he walked me through the forms I needed to complete while I was with him on chat. He was very helpful. I received a response and they required more information about me and my business. I had to upload the offending URL’s. They said my case would be reviewed. Within two days I got a response saying the images were removed. When I looked for Camellia’s House I couldn’t find it, but the Withpiper still existed. Yesterday when I was looking on the Amazon website two more of my images - of black labs - were being used by another shop called Somehowstore. So I filled in the form again, got a note it was received, but haven’t heard back yet. I suppose I could feel flattered that someone is using my artwork but I am not. If they contacted me and asked permission and I got a per cent of the profits it would make all the difference. I have a feeling a lot more of my artwork is being pirated including my children’s books - because I’ve seen them on some very odd websites. It’s sad but a very real problem. I guess I’ll keep filing complaints. 

Costco Copyright Consent Form

I paint a lot of pet portraits on my iPad. The end result is a JPEG image that is sent to the email address of the person who commissioned it. A lot of people print the image themselves, or upload it to a website to have the image processed in to a conventional mat and frame, or in to non traditional products like t shirts, coffee mugs, or totes. Yesterday I received a copyright consent form from a customer who wanted her image created through Costco. This has never happened before, so I found it interesting.  Costco wanted a signature from the artist approving that the work go forward. They noticed the initials and date I typically sign my portraits with on the right lower hand corner. I couldn't fill the consent form in with either on my laptop or iPad, so I printed it out and took a photo of the image, along with the portrait I painted for her, combined the two, and sent it back. I'm hoping this approach will work for her, particularly since she is a repeat customer.  It makes me wonder how many times people abuse an artist's work, but it's nice to know someone is watching!