Well I know what you mean, some people are likely to mix up those sort of things, but I guess it's simply because they are angry and "illegal repost on some site" just doesn't have the same effect, same reason why I clicked on your journal, if it smells like another scandal, people will look at it - even if it was meant in a different way.

From my personal point of view I can't really understand why people would get upset if their art (which is also available here or on some other art archive) is reposted somewhere else, with their credit given. I mean seriously if that upsets people, then it also should be forbidden to send your friends these pictures. Because if someone who sees something he or she likes, they will likely ask for a source where they can find more. And in the end that would lead them here or to someplace else.

That's how artists get popular.

But concerning all this yelling because of art theft or illegal repost is not necessary in my opinion. If you find someone clearly stealing art or simply redrawing it and telling everybody "Look what I drew on my own!" then just send him a note, discuss it in private and if it doesn't work out, there is always the possibility to make it public, but not do that in the first place.

That was my general impression, too. I don't really like the cynicism that appear to resound so much with my generation... I believe we all generally have good reasons for doing things, even if that thing seems stupid, far more often than we give each other credit. And in this case I wouldn't say I think it's a /stupid/ thing to say, but I do think most people who say it are either just not thinking about the term they're using, or just trying to get across their perceived seriousness of the problem, because as you said, "illegal repost" just doesn't have the same impact.

The popularity spread is exactly another reason I find it more difficult to understand. Art gets reposted somewhere and credited to the artist; well, that just generates more interest and more fans who might not have found them otherwise, and if they're in the practice of selling things, more business, too.

I can, however, understand the desire to control where one's art appears. Art can be so personal and subject to interpretation that an artist might draw a gory sexual picture that is meant to be off-putting and has some deeper subtext, but of course, when that picture inevitably gets reposted on tons of Guro boards, the meaning gets lost in translation. As long as the artist posts it, they can be there to give their statement and not be connected to crowds or sites they would rather not be associated with.

That being said, it does seem to generate an inordinate amount of anger and offense, a level would be more understandable if it were art theft, but of course it very often isn't.

Okay I see your point. If a picture was really intended to reflect some personal feelings or experiences then I can understand if someone doesn't like it to be reposted, but then you put a "Do not distribute" mark on it and that's it. Of course if someone does not apply with this little line, it's a real reason to get angry.

But as I said, actions can be taken without starting whining and rant journals about the incident. If someone does it, then I easily get the impression he provokes it somehow, he "enjoys" complaining about these sort of things.

But anyway it is useless. Simply because as a respected artist you just can't control every little imageboard or private website where your work might be reposted, in a legal or illegal way. But larger imageboards like fchan have do-no-post lists where you can sign in to and then moderators and admins will take care of any illegal posted picture of you.

It's that simple. But I guess because drama sells in a way or at least attracts attention, these advices will not easily be taken serious by those people.

Right, that's a good point. If an artist doesn't want it distributed, s/he should probably mark that on the image. But it seems many artists consider reposting to be an implied offense, like art theft; i.e., something that shouldn't have to be pointed out any more than art theft. You wouldn't feel obligated to tell people, "Oh, and by the way, please don't take this image, erase my signature, add your own and pretend you did the work." But I still fail to see how reposting is similar at all. There are artists out there who encourage it so as to spread their work and sell more prints, but no artist would encourage actual theft.

It's easy to get the impression that someone who complains about this sort of thing "enjoys" it... but who really knows what the individual is feeling. Sometimes they seem to be warning others, lots of times they seem to be merely complaining, some will even point it out to have a laugh over it.

While I, like you, think that asking others not to repost one's art is a reasonable request, it certainly doesn't seem like it should be an implied offense like art theft. But many artists see it that way, even when it comes to Fchan's DNP list; I know I've seen a comic somewhere where the character's car gets stolen, and the police officer tells them they weren't on the "Do Not Steal" list, which seems to be a pretty extreme metaphor for simple credited reposting.