From the popular BME “geek tattoo gallery“…
Highbrow Geek
(Turing Machine)
Lowbrow Geek
(Tetris Block Bracelet)
Definitely not a Geek
Category: ModBlog
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Nerdy tattoos
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Followup: Tattoo Theft
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Recently we mentioned how Amina Munster had her tattoo ripped off by tattoo “artist” Brandon Swartz. She updates us on how he responded to being asked for an apology on her page:
"When I called Inflictions to speak civilly with Brandon Swartz concerning the matter I was mocked and laughed at by the employees of Inflictions who stated that I would just humiliate myself as the public would find my actions frivolous. Later in the night I received a call from a tattoo artist of mine concerning the welfare of his friend... Brandon personally requested that this man contact me concerning the matters. This was followed by a call from Brandon Swartz who indeed confirmed that he was aware the tattoo had previously been tattooed on flesh. The patron had brought in a photo of me wearing my tattoo, [and] the rip off was produced from it. Swartz acknowledged that he knew who [Tim Kern] had tattooed the original piece while trying to flatter me by stating that Tim is such a better artist than he — maybe because Tim is able to draw his own tattoos?"
"When I spoke with Brandon Swartz I ultimately decided that I would put the matters to rest if I received an email (not phone or address) contact of the man depicted in the photograph as well as a written apology from Swartz. Swartz then claimed that I was asking for TOO MUCH."
"Brandon Swartz threatened me stating that 'All artists would hate me'. This, though not true, would not bother me as all of my artists are good friends and men of respect, none of them are scratchers like Brandon Swartz."
"Swartz also claimed that Steve Potts (Owner of both Inflictions shops and Swartz's boss) is good friends with Paul Booth (Tim Kern's boss), and this matter could jeopardize Tim Kern's job. It is common knowledge that Paul Booth himself has had a tattoo of his own illegally reproduced on the skull of another man, I highly doubt that Paul Booth would ever side with the Artist who illegally reproduced the image. In fact I would think that Paul Booth would want to see some precedent set in these matters."
As a side note, it’s been pointed out that Brandon Swartz doesn’t understand cross contamination issues since he’s not using any barrier film on his machine or clip cord on the photos of him tattooing. So not only is he a thief, but he’s also potentially endangering the lives of his clients…
We also recently covered tattoo theft by King of Kings in the Europe, a shop with a bad reputation for stealing other artists work, claiming it as their own, and then stalling on even removing the photos from their website — as recently also noted in Needled. Anyway, ModBlog writer Rebekah drops Han a line to see what he had to say:
A lady in Canada is very distraught after having seen a photo of her tattoo on your web site. She is upset because you didn’t tattoo her; Cory Ferguson did. There is no doubt that the tattoos are identical. Cory’s art came first, which makes yours the copy… which you seem to be passing off as your own original work.
I’m curious as to your side… I’d love to know what your excuse is.
As I’m sure will come as no surprise, his reply contained only two words:
From: King of Kings Tattoo
DROP DEAD!!!!
Well, at least this is creating a useful list of shops to avoid.
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#11 Scalpel
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Tattoo artists and fans getting tattoos of tattoo machines is certainly not an uncommon theme, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to see the same thing manifesting in the world of scarification now that it’s growing up as a semi-mainstream artform. Here’s a few pictures of UREA in Brasil (a scarification artist himself) doing a large cutting of a #11 scalpel blade on his forearm.
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BME Newsfeed for Sep 23, 2005
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- 2005-09-23: India: In TN, Rahulji on Congress arms [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: India: Youth Congress get Rahul Gandhi tattoos [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-23: AL: I have only one problem with this rash of tattoos [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-23: KY: More employers accept piercings, tattoos [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-23: CA: Body of Work [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-23: India: TN Cong workers get tattoos to prove loyalty [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: NY: Animator envisions sub-dermal displays [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: NY: Tattoos by: Rabbi Jeremy Rosen [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: VA: 700 Club: Tattoos [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: CA: Body of Work [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: IA: Marked man: Brant anchors Iowa State line [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: IA: LETTER: Tattoo parlors artful, serve ISU students [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: CA: New Laws: Body piercing [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: TX: For some students, college means a chance to Think Ink [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-23: MA: Seize the weekend! – Boston Tattoo Convention [by rebekah]
Please note that links may expire. IAM members, please help out by submitting stories!
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At least it’s not a tattoo…
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In regards to the previous entry’s first tattoo…
Hey Shannon,
Just a quick note on the "super emo" tattoo — Im 90% sure that Rob Dobi designed a shirt identical to that. It doesnt seem to be on his site anymore (if it ever was) so I cant be sure but Im fairly certain that is where this person got the idea. In fact, Im pretty sure that on this site (how to dress emo) created by Rob Dobi used to have the cutout heart shirt... http://www.dobi.nu/emo/boys.htm I know that the difference between someones tattoo and a t-shirt is huge I just thought it worth mentioning for whatever reason. Robs work is amazing and well worth checking out regardless.
All the best,
MattSomeone tell me again why copyright is even an issue?
Update: Matt was right; here’s a shot from Dobi’s page that another reader found:
I still like the tattoo, but cancel any of my commentary about it being an original design unfortunately…
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Assorted Tattoos
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Sorry I haven’t updated much in the past few days. We’ve had a guest down here in La Paz so Rachel and I have been busier than usual, and Jordan’s internet connection is out… Anyway, I’ll start off with a cut-out heart tattoo that I really like even though it’s pretty over the top emo, and which I have no doubt will start being copied a day or two after this entry goes up.
For the record, this original (?) piece is by Ron Aytes of Three D Oils and Ink in Valparaiso, Indiana. Here’s another one I like, this one by Brett Osborne (IAM:bretticus) of Pure Body Arts in Brooklyn…
Live to Squeak, Squeak to Live
I get tattoo pictures of snakes daily, and every time I get one I think how much better of a tattoo it would be if there were some ladders thrown in. Well, thanks again to Brett (see above), my wish was answered.
Next, on IAM:nuclearsummer, vagina monsters go to war with a flying penis… tattoo courtesy of Dave Knight at Tattoo Mania in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As far as I can tell the penis monster is winning, but war is a sticky thing and penises tend to blow up unexpectedly, so the outcum is anyone’s guess.
How about an assortment of Volkswagen tattoos? VW pride!
Yes, the last one is on his nutsack.
Finally, this slogan tattoo wouldn’t even make me look twice if I saw it on the street here in Mexico, or even in the US. However, this piece actually hails all the way from Planet Tattoo in Kiev, Ukraine, by Dmitry Mitsik… I suppose Latin Spirit is everywhere?
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BME Newsfeed for Sep 22, 2005
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- 2005-09-22: Malaysia: Francis Udayappan Death Inquest: Mom: I recognised son from tattoo [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-22: AL: Flying Monkey tattoo show will fascinate you [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-22: USA: Hepatitis linked to body art [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-22: NC: Readers respond with their love of body art [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-22: NJ: California Judge Rules Tattoo Inks Must Carry Health Warnings [by Ebowlotus1960]
- 2005-09-22: UK: Sex Stereotypes [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: India: Green in hand, but red in face: Youth Congress volunteerstattooed the name of Rahul Gandhi on their arms [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: FL: SPORTS: Tattoo you: Channing Crowder [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: GA: Bond denied in home invasion /murder of tattoo artist Gary Lee Stanton [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: TX: Council upholds tattoo parlor ban [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: UT: Tattoo give-away in Pleasant Grove [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: QC: Tattoo mania in Montreal [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-22: AZ: ‘Man who died twice’ encourages students [by rebekah]
Please note that links may expire. IAM members, please help out by submitting stories!
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More copied tattoos
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Copy someone’s tattoo, and you will get outed, and your peers will laugh at you next time you show your face at a convention. I realize copying of tattoos is going to happen, and there’s probably nothing that will entirely stop it, but it can’t happen in the shadows. You will be named as a plagiarist.
Original by Cory Ferguson
Rip off by King of KingsThis dirtbag even has the gall to include the photo in his online portfolio — that is, he’s using it to advertise what a good “artist” he is. Cory designed the piece from scratch for a dear friend of his. It’s an original custom creation and it reflects Cory’s skills as an artist. The cheap copy on the right reflects only their ability to copy. It’s false advertising, and puts customers at risk by effectively lying to them about the actual qualification of the “artist”.
I’d say King of Kings at least owes Cory Ferguson a royalty payment.
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BME Newsfeed for Sep 21, 2005
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- 2005-09-21: NY: Beauty that’s only skin deep [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: TX: GoldenPalace.com corners weird market with auction purchases [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: CA: Sonoma County chef John Stewart loves the pig so much he’s got one tattooed on his forearm. [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: NC: The online world of bad tattoos [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: CA: UC Santa Cruz to Present Conference on Body Modification 10/14 – 10/16 [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: OR: Slingin’ Sam’s More Than Tattoos, ‘Tude For ASU [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: PA: Memories etched in Ephrata [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: CA: Critics weigh in on local art: Viscera Cera [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: IN: Today’s topic is ‘Tattoos and Piercings as Free Expression,’ [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: FL: Tattoo artist becomes rescuer [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: IN: Here’s why we should save health department [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: NC: Readers respond with their love of body art [by rebekah]
- 2005-09-21: MO: Top tattoos of Missouri prison inmates [by cenobite]
Please note that links may expire. IAM members, please help out by submitting stories!
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Tattoo Plagiarism
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Hey! Brandon Swartz of Inflictions in Covina, California, you owe Tim Kern (and Amina Munster) a serious apology. If this was 1989, your shop would be burned to the ground. Lucky for you, it’s 2005, and all you’ve lost is the respect of your peers.
Original by Tim Kern
Copy by Brandon SwartzSeriously, taking someone’s custom tattoo and copying it isn’t a compliment. It’s theft and abuse of something really personal, a kind of emotional rape that’s utterly unacceptable. Not cool at all.
Previously: Pirate Tattoos