The Time a Marketer ‘Borrowed’ My Illustrated Map on a Trip It Wasn’t Invited To
Here’s the thing: when you create something from scratch — whether it’s an illustrated map, a pattern, or any piece of original art — it’s yours. Not “yours unless someone wants to save a buck”, not “yours until it’s been on Pinterest too long.” Yours. Full stop.
So imagine my surprise (read: ugh, seriously?) when I stumbled across one of my illustrated maps being used online… by a business I’d never worked with. Cue me, coffee in hand, abandoning my to-do list to go full Nancy Drew and figure out how my art ended up in someone else’s marketing. Not only had they lifted the art, they’d altered it to suit their brand and were using it for marketing. That’s not “inspiration.” That’s infringement.
How to Spot Infringement
Think of it like creative detective work — minus the trench coat, unless that’s your thing. I regularly run my illustrations through tools like Google Reverse Image Search and TinEye to see where they pop up. For ongoing surveillance, I set up Google Alerts for my name, my business, and even quirky product names tied to my work.
Social media’s another goldmine. I’ll search hashtags and keywords that clients or fans might use — and you’d be surprised how often a casual scroll uncovers something suspicious. Everything from someone “borrowing” my map for a flyer to full-on derivative art popping up in a store’s feed.
Step 1: First Steps When You Find a Copycat
You’ve spotted your work out in the wild, looking all cute… until you realize you didn’t put it there. Deep breath. Before you go full keyboard warrior, here’s the plan:
Document Everything – Screenshots, URLs, timestamps. Bonus points for proof of how long it’s been up (think dated posts or web archives).
Double-Check – Sometimes styles overlap. But if that lighthouse has your exact crooked little window? Yeah, it’s yours.
Identify the Source – Is it the platform, the company, or both? That tells you where to start.
Stay Professional (at least in writing) – Even if you’re screaming internally, keep it polite, clear, and direct.
Send the Takedown Request – Use the site’s DMCA form if they have one. No form? Email the offender or the platform with your proof and a clear request for removal.
And yes, sometimes it’s a persistence game. I’ve had to nudge certain companies multiple times before they’d even acknowledge me.
One especially bold case? A major Savannah real estate brand that not only used my map without permission but made derivatives for print and social. They didn’t budge until I became their least favorite inbox notification.
Step 2: Contact the Offender Directly
My go-to email formula:
State the work is copyrighted.
Show side-by-side evidence of my original and their copy.
Request immediate removal from all platforms, including print.
Ask for written confirmation when done.
Step 3: Contact the Host or Platform
When they didn’t respond, I went a step further and filed a DMCA takedown with the platform hosting their website. Most legitimate hosting companies take these seriously — they have to by law.
The DCMA Black Hole
You know those “We take copyright seriously” statements you see on websites? Turns out, sometimes that’s just for show.
On one platform, I followed their DCMA instructions exactly. Sent the notice, waited… nothing. Crickets. Months later, still nothing.
So, there I was, playing unwilling internet detective — piecing together a long, winding trail of online breadcrumbs (fueled by too much coffee) — just to track down the actual infringer myself. Not exactly how I planned to spend my afternoon, but at least I got the work pulled.
The lesson? Even with “protections” in place, sometimes you have to be your own copyright enforcement squad.
Hire me and let’s make art together — no detective work required.
Step 4: Follow Up
Once a piece is removed, I double-check it’s gone from social, websites, and print. If it’s not? That’s when I’d consult an IP attorney.
Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not an Artist)
Copyright isn’t just a nice idea — it’s a legal protection that gives creators control over how their work is used. When someone takes an illustration without permission, they’re not only violating the law, they’re undermining the value of original creative work.
For artists, it’s about protecting your income and your reputation. For businesses, it’s about understanding that using unlicensed art can damage your brand just as much as bad press.
How to Keep It From Happening Again
Unfortunately, once you’ve had an infringement, you start to realize it’s not a one-and-done situation — it’s a game of Whac-A-Mole with your own artwork. But there are ways to make the moles pop up less often:
Watermark Your Previews – I know, I know… it’s not as pretty. But a subtle, well-placed watermark can make it harder for lazy copy-pasters to grab and go.
Post at Lower Resolution – Keep the high-res beauties for your paying clients. Online? Stick to web-size versions that aren’t print-friendly.
Use Reverse Image Search Regularly – Google Image Search, TinEye, and even Pinterest’s visual search can help you spot unlicensed uses before they spiral.
Register Your Work – In the U.S., registering with the Copyright Office makes your claim even stronger in a legal setting.
Create a Licensing Page – Spell out clearly how your work can be purchased or licensed. Sometimes, people really do just need an easy “Buy it Legit” button.
Because here’s the thing: I’d rather spend my time making art for people who actually want to work with me, not chasing down people who think “free” means “finders keepers.”