Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud How creative artists fight back after getting ripped off
Nov 11, 2025
Raymond Biesinger, a Montreal-based illustrator and author, shares insights from his book 'Nine Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off,' revealing how creatives can safeguard their work against exploitation. Vancouver photographer Jackie Dives recounts her own experiences with unauthorized use of her images and discusses the critical support within artist networks. They explore the alarming prevalence of infringement among freelancers, the consequences of standing up against it, and voice concerns about the future of AI in the creative world.
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The $15 Nirvana Logo Story
- Grant Alden typeset the word "Nirvana" for $15 and handed over what became the band's iconic logo.
- The small, undocumented payment left the creator without ongoing compensation despite massive future profits.
Ambiguity Favors Bigger Institutions
- Ambiguous agreements and lack of documentation allow larger institutions to capture disproportionate value.
- Freelance creatives frequently end up shortchanged when rights and usages aren't explicitly set.
Nonprofit Used His Art For Years
- Raymond discovered a large nonprofit had used a personal anatomy illustration for three years after cropping off his signature.
- He demanded $20,000, negotiated, refused an NDA, and turned the episode into the proposal for his book.
