I receive e-mails on a regular basis, asking if someone can use my images for one reason or another, or asking if I can design a logo for them. In the hopes of being clear and saving everyone some time, I have decided it would be best to post my policy and answer some frequently asked questions here.

Please know that as much as I hate telling people "no", and would love to make everyone happy, it's just not practical or possible. If I didn't have this policy, it would be impossible for me to keep up with and separate the "legitimates" from the "thieves". Moreover, if I allowed others to use my images, it would have a negative impact on the value of my images, and I would not be able to survive as an artist.

Art/Image Use Policy

For legal and other reasons, I have a very strict policy - No one else is allowed to use my artwork (fine art, cartoon designs, or otherwise), or any part of them, for any reason. This applies to everyone, and it's nothing personal. It's just business, and it's legally necessary for me to do things this way. As a professional artist, I must protect the value of my work, and this means restricting use.

Any unauthorized use of my fine art or cartoon design images is strictly forbidden. All of my work is copyrighted from the moment of creation, and I retain all rights to my artwork and any and all copies. I register my art with the Copyright Office. As a strict policy, I do not allow anyone else to use my fine art or cartoon designs. Furthermore, I purposely avoid associating my artwork with any specific group, business, organization, association, person, others' websites, etc.

I give everyone the same response in order to avoid compromising my copyrights, reproduction rights, licensing agreements, other contracts, etc. - Due to complicated copyright and licensing concerns and current licensing agreements, as well as past and present issues with theft/copyright infringement, and to avoid confusion in the marketplace, I don't allow anyone else to use my fine art, cartoon designs, or any part of them, for any reason. My cartoon designs are a huge cross-connected collection, so it's necessary to keep things as simple as possible.

F.A.Q.s

I'd like a product you don't currently offer. Can you e-mail me my favorite design so I can have someone else make the product for me?

I'm sorry, but no. Unless I choose to have a legal, formal, written licensing agreement with a company who produces the product you wish to buy, or one of my current licensees decides to offer that product, the product is unavailable with my artwork. I will not send anyone an image or allow any kind of use of an image unless I have a formal, written licensing agreement with them. For a list of current authorized licensees, please click here.

Can I use your artwork/cartoons on my website, online group, blog, letterhead, as a signature tag in my e-mails, etc.?

No. I do not allow the use of my images on others' websites, etc. It makes no difference whether your website is personal or commercial. It was never my intention to have my artwork/designs used as clip art to decorate, promote, enhance others' websites or e-mail. This also causes confusion in the marketplace.  I purposely avoid associating my work with any specific business, website, organization, group, person, etc. I do not wish to give the impression that I support, approve, endorse, or am otherwise associated with others, their interests, their statements, etc. by having my images on others' sites, e-mail, and the like.

Can I use your cartoons on my website if I give you credit and provide a link to you? (provide "free advertising")

I'm sorry, but no...for the same reasons as mentioned above. Although I appreciate appropriate (and appropriately placed) links to my own sites and shops, simply giving me credit or providing a link to my site in exchange for using my images in inappropriate places on your own website is unacceptable.

 

I saw someone else using your images on another website. Why do you give them permission to use your images and not me?

Chances are, I didn't give them permission. When someone asks this, far more often than not, the site in question is using my images without my permission and without my knowledge. Although there are a handful of legitimate websites involved in the selling of my authorized products, there are many others out there who are either knowingly or unknowingly committing copyright infringement. If you see my images on another site that I haven't linked to from this site, please don't assume that I gave them permission. The best thing to do is to e-mail the website address to me so that I can investigate and determine whether it is legitimate or not. If it's not a legitimate use, I will take appropriate action.
Note: A big, huge thank you to everyone who has notified me of suspected infringement in the past and to everyone who keeps an eye out for my images in general. It is greatly appreciated. I don't know what I'd do if it weren't for people like you looking out for me.

 

Can I use your designs (for personal or commercial use) on t-shirts, signature tags, embroidery, cross stitch patterns, return address labels, photo charms, other products, something I make for myself, etc.?

No. I've put a lot of money, work, and a many years into these designs. This is how I make my living and pay my bills. If I decide to offer my designs on different products or through other venues, then I will pursue that on my own with companies I choose to seek out and research. You may not use my artwork and designs for your own purposes, even if it's for personal use.

 

Can I use your images as long as I'm not making money off of them? Can I use them if my website/organization is not for profit?

No. It makes no difference whether you're profiting from them or not. I do not allow any use.

 

Can I use one of your designs as a logo? Can I use an altered version of one of your designs as a logo (or anything else)?

No. I could design logos, but that's not what I do, and that's not the intended purpose of my cartoon designs. I purposely avoid associating my work with any specific business, website, organization, group, etc. I do not wish to give the impression that I support, approve, or am associated with others and their interests by having my images on others' sites, e-mail, letterhead, signs, etc. Allowing someone to use one of my existing designs as a logo would also compromise my licensing agreements/interests.

Can you design an original logo for me?

I'm sorry, but I don't offer logo design. Although I can't help you with a logo, if you e-mail me, I would be happy to point you to other artists who may be able to design something for you.

Can we use one of your images to promote an event or to promote our organization? Can you add our business name or our organization's name to one of your designs and let us buy the products from you?

I'm sorry, but no. Again, I purposely avoid associating my artwork with any specific business, website, organization, group, event, etc., no matter how noble the cause may be. Although I don't allow the use of my art and designs for such a purpose, I do make cash donations to dog and cat rescue groups, as well as other causes. If your rescue group is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, please feel free to e-mail me their information, and I will be happy to check it out and add it to my "donate to" list of charities.

 

Can I use part of one of your designs in something else? Can I use one of your designs as the basis of something else?

No. Every part/element of a design, painting, cartoon, etc. is protected under Copyright Law.

Can I save copies of your images to my computer or put them on an image sharing site? Can I digitize your images?

No. You may not save, copy, print, scan, share, alter, e-mail, download, upload, distribute, publish, store, digitize, or otherwise use any of my copyrighted images.

 

I bought one of your products. Can I use the image on something else?

No. If you buy a legitimate, authorized product with one of my images on it, that does not give you the right to use that image on or for anything else. When you buy a product, you're paying for that one particular individual item....You are not buying any rights to use the image itself.