ArtStation takes copyright infringement seriously. However, due to the free nature of the site and the amount of work that is required to investigate and respond to copyright claims, we ask that you please respect these guidelines, and please also be realistic as to what you expect ArtStation to do.
On occasion there are fake accounts where the user has obviously taken other people's artwork in full and posted it as their own. When reporting these, please:
Typically it's simple for us to check that these are fake accounts and they are removed quickly.
There are more complex cases when an artist publishes work that either he was allegedly not allowed to, or it contains work that allegedly belongs to someone else. These are challenging for ArtStation to deal with.
Below are some common examples of copyright infringement that we've had to deal with:
Adam contacts ArtStation and says that Ben has published work that was his. Adam owns the copyright.
Possibilities:
or
Adam is a 3D modeler. He models a 3D object of a BMW car (or any other existing design). He puts the model on a website that allows for 3D downloads and states that it is free to use as long as he is credited.
Ben uses the asset in his render, but does not credit Adam. Adam contacts Ben that he cannot use the asset, but Ben does not respond. Adam contacts ArtStation claiming copyright infringement.
Adam and Ben work together on a project. Adam uses assets that Ben helped to create, but does not credit him. Ben is upset and requests ArtStation for a takedown, stating that he did not give Adam permission to publish his work.
Adam works for a company called XYZ studio. Adam leaves the company and publishes work on his ArtStation account that he did not have permission for. XYZ contacts ArtStation and requests a takedown.
Please respect the position that ArtStation is in. We provide a freely available portfolio hosting service that has a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of artists lives.
Generally, we take reports of copyright infringement seriously and spend a lot of our time (which isn't paid) trying to resolve these situations - many of which as you can see above are disputes that shouldn't have anything to do with ArtStation.
Unfortunately we do get threats for legal action against ArtStation by people who think that threatening will make us respond faster. It doesn't. It just makes us put up our guard and less willing to work with you to resolve the situation.
We wish to advise in advance that ArtStation is more than capable of defending our position in the court of law, and if pushed, can counter-sue until your grandchildren are poor. Please don't even think about threatening to take legal action against us. It would be much better for you to be nice and work with us to resolve the situation.