This is not one of my "feel good" blog entries, which disappoints me because I really dislike handing out unhappy news. I realize this is not a new concern and has happened to many other great artists on this lovely planet. This has actually been an ongoing issue for some time now, but I have not said anything about it publicly. However, things have come to a point where something needs to be said openly. 

When things like this happen, it is possible that sales of my stamp designs will be removed from the country wherein the violators are found, and many innocent customers will take the brunt of these shameful characters’ acts of carelessness and disrespect.

This is a low blow and it is disappointing to me when people assume it is okay to treat others like this. It spoils the fun for everyone. So I will be frank.

To such poachers who breach my copyright by posting and selling my stamp designs illegally without obtaining authorized consent from myself or the companies to whom my designs are licensed, I want you to know that we are very serious when it comes to the misuse of my work and WE WILL pursue legal action.

To everyone else who enjoys and uses my stamp designs respectfully, which also reflects a deep regard towards the wonderful companies I work with, thank you. Thank you for making my designs even more beautiful with your abounding creative genius. I greatly appreciate your consideration and your support for what we do.

Thank you also for your help in looking out for poachers and bringing them to our attention. We will get through this. Thank you for your amazing team work!

I have amended my Angel Policy and provided it below. I hope that it will continue to be respected. Please take a moment to read through my Angel Policy, which can also be found HERE on my site.




Elisabeth Bell's Angel Policy

Artist, Elisabeth Bell, welcomes all who would like to use her stamp images in their own hand-stamped craftwork that they produce to sell (please see terms below). Therefore, permission is granted in the form of a limited license to use any Elisabeth Bell stamp images for the purpose of creating craftwork for sale, under the following criteria: Each craftwork created for sale must be personally and individually hand-stamped by the selling artist and may not be reproduced or copied in any form by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying. Mass production, assembly-line construction, production by workers for hire, or syndication of hand-stamped craftwork for sale is strictly prohibited. All Elisabeth Bell images are copyrighted, which means that they must not be copied without express written consent from the artist.


The following restrictions apply to Elisabeth Bell Stamps
1. Each project should be crafted by the individual and must be hand stamped.

2. Any artwork created using Elisabeth Bell designs must not infringe third-party copyrighted material. The artist must accept full responsibility for his or her artwork.

3. Electronic, mechanical, freehand, or graphic reproduction (such as scanning or photocopying) is strictly prohibited.

4. The selling of Elisabeth Bell stamped images is strictly prohibited.

5.  Elisabeth Bell stamps can only be sold by authorized retailers ie. the 4 stamp companies Elisabeth currently works with (as listed below), including companies they wholesale to.

The current 4 stamp companies are:
1. Whiff of Joy Stamps
2. Belles ‘n Whistles Stamps
3. Susana’s Custom Art and Card Design
4. Ladybug and Friends

6. A maximum of 100 hand-stamped items in the form of handmade cards is permitted for sales purposes by the artist individual.

7. Decoupage or use of Elisabeth Bell stamp images on materials other than handmade cards is permissible for personal keepsakes ONLY and NOT on items intended for sale.

8. *Credit for the stamped images and © Elisabeth Bell must appear on the back of your items. Credit for the stamping company from which the stamp is licensed may also be made.

 *Please keep my name and copyright visible somewhere on the project (alongside the art if possible). You may hand-write my name and copyright on the back of your card/item in a visible area. Please write my name and copyright like this: Illustration © Elisabeth Bell

9. Elisabeth Bell may amend these policies governing the use of her copyrighted designs and images, including the Angel Policy, at any time. Amendments to such policies are effective upon publication unless otherwise noted and will be posted on the official Elisabeth Bell website. The Artist (Elisabeth Bell) reserves the right to deny or terminate permission to use Elisabeth Bell designs and images with respect to any particular person.

Thank you for respecting my designs as an artist and I hope you continue to receive much enjoyment through your stamping creativity!

Hugs,

Elisabeth