Stolen Art/Piracy/AI
Hey guys. I've posted about this a lot on my webtoon creator page, which I have linked here and here for context, and I'm just too tired to repeat myself.
My art has been stolen and ran through AI. Comics are being made of my characters with my art style. Not only that, I'm getting more and more people telling me that my fast pass episodes and patreon content are being pirated to other websites. It's just so, so defeating. I work so hard to try and make the best content for you guys, and it just.... hurts me to have people who are willing to pay for the content backstab me and steal it to share to others -- especially to minors which I have stated numerous times that NOTHING on this page is meant for minors.
If this keeps getting out of hand, I am have to create my own website to host my paid wall content. Patreon will do nothing about the piracy and the websites that scrap all of their info. It's inconvenient, but this is costing me hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of dollars a month from people thinking it's okay to steal from artists -- all while complaining that I'm not producing enough to satisfy their tastes.
I'm so sick to my stomach. I need to step away for a bit. I still got a lot of stuff scheduled here, so don't worry about that. I just need to focus on things that don't just.... pull the rug from under me?
If you are one of the people who are stealing my content/allowing websites to scrap data, I hope you realize how evil your actions are.
Thanks
Comments (59)
As much as I really want to read the fast pass episodes but can’t because I’m broke and as much as I hate waiting that’s just evil. I am so sorry that people are doing this. It’s not ok at all. I hope you can get it sorted out.
that is so unfair to you Ro.please take as much time as you need.I love and adore all your work,art etc and will continue to support you. can't believe someone would do that,they should be ashamed of themselves.I am behind you 190%.
Hey Ro, please feel free to take time for yourself. I just hope that you know, IM EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH YOUR ART. Also, I did some research after you posted this, and one of the most popular Patreon leaking sites called kemono has been forcefully shut down. It’s all over Reddit, people are disappointed, but people need to realize that artists like you take so much time and effort, and if you make people pay, it’s for a very good reason. If people are willing to pay, they’ll be very satisfied. 😋Love you and your content, Ro! (Edit: My favorite episode extra is episode 87, ITS SO PASSIONATEEEEE!!!!!!)
I’m so sorry Ro!! That’s awful, and even worse that people are running it through AI. If I find something I’ll report it immediately. Got your back❤️
Normal piracy is fucking bad enough already but hearing people are running your are through AI is absolutely disgusting! I’m so sorry you are having to deal with all this!
I’m so sorry you’re going through this Ro. You don’t deserve this. Your art is incredible and completely one of a kind, and it’s honestly so disappointing and upsetting to see people treat it this way. Please hang in there. We see how hard you work, and we love and support you always ❤️ Your stories have brought so much joy into my life, thank you for all that you do.
Sorry this is happening Ro. I will follow you wherever you go and in whatever manner you decide to create. I love your art and appreciate your hard work. Support you always 💖.
I am so sorry this is happening. The vast amount of piracy and feeding people’s life work into AI has me sick to my stomach. I wish there were better regulations to protect us because this is truly unacceptable. Should you decide to switch to your own website, I would 100% follow you over to there! And, if there’s any other way we can help as fans, please let us know. Sending a big hug your way!
I’m so sorry this is happening to you. You are incredibly talented and highly prolific, so none of your actual fans would ever complain about your output volume. I just upgraded my membership to help out, and if you ever need financial assistance to make up for the theft losses please let us know.
I hate people. Sorry that happened 🫂
I just don’t understand how people can be so…. That- heartless I guess? Ro, you’ve worked your ass off on this series, including here on patreon, and the fact that someone decides to do that, it is basically stealing, since they are claiming it as their own, I personally haven’t seen any of that for your series, however I will be keeping a look out, and let you know.
I'm so sorry Ro, people shouldn't steal art 😭 if someone were to steal my art I'd be pretty livid too 😢
I’m so sorry. This just sucks. Please take care of yourself however you need to. We’re here for you. 🩵
It's unfortunately not the first time I heard that. I really don't understand how people not realise how bad that is! I am so sorry, that you're going through this 😭 I hope, it stops and the person who does this realises, what they are doing 🥺 We love your art and I hope, you continue, wherever you post it, we will be there! ❤️
The way these people are complaining you're not working fast enough JUST BECAUSE its slowing down their gravy train is a special kind of despicable. It's also really upsetting that at least part of it is being done so minors can access it, and the people who are doing it probably think they're providing an invaluable service to lgbtq youth - because how DAAARE you keep a story about queer love away from them like its some sort of immoral thing?!?!? I thought we were all mostly cool until Stranger Things 5 wrapped up, and the Byler shippers showed just how bad some people want children to fuck; now I'm finally noticing it everywhere, and my frosty dander is up, so it was the first place my mind went when you mentioned it. I will 100% jump on your website. I've tried a couple of different site builders for different things, but GoDaddy has been my personal favorite so far. The interface is intuitive and really easy to customize - I think it took me a day to figure it out with no pre-existing media to pull fonts, colors, logos, or other details from. Lots of podcasters also have discount codes for Squarespace and Wix, and I think its only good for the first few billing periods, max, but its a good way to try out different platforms to find your preference without breaking the bank. We're with you, lass! It's the golden age of digital piracy, so steal from their playbook and bury your treasure. Leave us a map, and your faithful crew will follow you to it. Love you!!!!
This is awful... I am so sorry this is happening, your work is absolutely amazing!!!! take as much time as you need!
I’m so sorry you have to experience this. I have no words for how people could do that to anyone. Take all the time you need to take care of you and your art. 💜
Omg I’m so sorry this is happening. You do not deserve this. It honestly pmo that ppl do this like genuinely the whole point of patreon is you pay to get exclusive stuff so why on earth would you share that. It baffles me. I hope this stops and I’m so sorry 💔
the rise in stealing Patreon content and posting them on pirated websites absolutely sickens me. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. :(
* hugs* I am so, so, sorry 😢. I can tell that this is also taking a mental strain on u as well. I hope things work out. Not just for economic reasons, but for mental reasons as well.
Have you looked into AI poisoning software? It makes small changes to images that mess up the output of models trained on it if enough of the input dataset is "poisoned". I'm not sure how effective it is and if the current methods of poisoning have been countered, but could be worth a shot. It won't stop whatever is currently copying your work, but it could prevent them from using your future work.
I don’t want you to be forced to change anything about how you put out your work, but for the record I will follow you/ your content and art wherever you go.
If the ai stuff is on Tik Tok or instagram something like that pls share their page so we can mass report them to get the banned
This is outrageous and I'm so sorry for you 😫 Your work is amazing and your style is so distinctive! You're right to point it out! Patreon, get your act together and fast to protect artists and their work 😤
we’re here to help and support you in any way that we can🩷
This is an awful thing that is happening to you, I’m so sorry!! We will follow you anywhere!! If there is anything we can do besides keep our eyes open, please let us know!
If we can do anything , just say the word :) and sorry about that, It’s really unfair
I’m so sorry this is happening. That’s extremely frustrating. As a fellow artist, stealing and using AI really disgusts me too. And Patreon not helping only makes it worse. I would follow you to your own site too, cause this is crazy. You shouldn’t have to deal with this. You’re an amazing artist and the stories you tell with your characters bring me so much joy and comfort. Especially as a college student with anxiety and depression (one more month till graduation! Then grad school 😅). I always look forward to reading your comics. 💕
I'm so sorry Ro people are fucking leeches, like AI is ruining the earth, art, and people's homes i wish ppl would stop using it😡
I’m so sorry, really, if we can do anything to help just say it, you give us a lot with your art 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I will never understand why people think it’s okay to do this :( I cant imagine how frustrating this must be - no matter what you decide is best for your work we will support you!
Ai just ruins everything it touches these are tough times for artists and people as a whole. I'm really sorry that this is happened to you but we're all by your side.
I'm so sorry )))): this is absolutely disgusting. Thank you for everything you do
I'm sorry to read this. It's bullshit that you & others are going through this while Patreon & Webtoon refuse to do anything about it💢. You take care of yourself & whatever it is you decide to do; go for it. These are your characters & your stories so if it's a fight you need to win just say where, when, & how 🪓😠🏹
How absolutely horrible. I'm so sorry to hear people are disrespecting you and your art so heavily. 😭🫂
I’m so sorry 😔❤️❤️
I'm so sorry this is happening to you. If I spot anything I'll report it immediately. If you need to leave Patreon, I'll follow you to wherever you end up posting. Stay strong! We're here for you! ❤️❤️❤️
That sucks, hope your able to figure something out.
May the person/persons stealing your work get horrible diarrhea for months at a time. I'm sorry this is happening to such an amazing artist as you Ro 😥 Know that your real fan love and support you and will be happy to do so in any way we can 🌠💜🌌
I love that; punishing them the squirts..., lol
I am SO sorry to hear this has happened and the fact that Patreon is indifferent to the problem makes me want to quit the platform altogether. I would definitely follow you to your own website.
This should never happen to anyone. You deserve better than that :(
Omg this is so sad!! I know that those who care about you and your art will follow you wherever you feel is best! Sending love ❤️
jfc I’m so sorry. I’m so sick of this dystopian bullshit, and I’ve hated Patreon for a while for how it treats its users (I follow a few artists who do BDSM related work and Patreon is SO WEIRD about what they interpret as “bad” when it comes to things adults are consenting to. Like, their faces have to look happy the whole time?? What if they’re a masochist?? HUH?? It’s so stupid.) And it’s absolute GARBAGE that anyone would distribute your stuff from here. I hope they get all the karma they deserve. If you make a website with a paywall, I’ll follow you there 💜 I hope you’re able to get some rest. I fully understand stepping away.
I'm so sorry this is happening. If you have to go to a private website I'd follow you as long as I could afford it! You're art and stories are amazing! I don't understand why people do such stupid things 😭
I am so sorry that this happened to you and I can totally understand if you need time for yourself. I think most of us just appreciate your content so much and it’s sad that some are willing to do this 🥹❤️
Im so sorry!!! If I see any, I'll let you know straight away and make sure to report accounts!! Ai has done so much more harm than it had ever done good. Your real supporters will always be here for you
I’m so terribly sorry for the actions of others, you work so hard and do so much for us already it’s no wonder you feel so defeated. I’ll keep my eyes out for any of your stolen artwork and we all understand your need to step back, take good care of yourself and just remember, there are real people in here who love you and your art, strictly because it’s yours.
People who stole art make me so angry omg 💀 you have my support 🫶🏼
If this keeps happening I would follow you anywhere so I can keep enjoying your content, while keeping the safety of your work ❤️
Oh my gosh im so sorry you do not deserve that if you do end up creating your own website I will most definitely be subscribing that is ridiculous that patreon is not doing anything about it!!
Ro, I am so unbelievably sorry for all of this. This is so heartbreaking. Please do not worry about us - you have done nothing but give us an incredible story. Please take any and all time you need for yourself.
I’m so so sorry, Ro. This is devastating. Please, take all the time you need for your own heart and health. We love you, and support you. ❤️❤️❤️
That’s fucked up why would people do tha
WE RIDE AT DAWN!!!! 🤬 Seriously, that's not okay! I'm so sorry, Rota! Should we help by mass reporting? Anything we can do to help?
I’m so sorry this is happening. It’s not right, and I hope they realize how wrong this is and stop. I love all your content and look forward to your posts! Take all the time you need, your mental health is so important ❤️
I saw the content on the discord it doesn't even look good like why would someone try to pass it off
I’m so sorry ro, your hard work and dedication does not deserve any of this
that is so fucked up, im so sorry ro :(