So You’ve Been Ripped Off? Raymond Biesinger Has Just the Book for You
Artist and illustrator Raymond Biesinger created his latest book, “9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal Self-Defence Guide for Independent Creatives”, to support fellow independent creators facing copyright challenges.
“Spite, quite honestly,” he laughs, explaining his motivation, before adding another intent: “My goal with the book is to open up the window of possibilities for what people think they can do to protect their work and their rights.”
Biesinger’s illustrations have appeared in publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Monocle. Living with his family in Quebec, he came up with the idea while dealing with a situation where an organization had used one of his works without permission or payment.
“I realized that after 20 years in the business, I have a whole lot of these stories,” he says. “What started as a single rip-off became more like a career survey, stealth memoir, and business self-help book all rolled into one.”
The book includes situations ranging from tracking down a small music promoter for a modest fee to complex disputes over image rights with larger agencies.
Author Summary
Raymond Biesinger’s book blends memoir and practical advice, encouraging creatives to defend their rights and learn from his two decades of artistic experiences.