Pretty sure outright impersonation is punishable by law in many jurisdictions.

Yeah I'd say the real name thing is a bit weird to say the least. That said, I'm not sure what can be done, unless you happen to know enough about the person to serve them with a cease and desist.

Personally I'd start with watermarks love. I haven't had, or noticed anyone stealing Ephy, but your very popular and lots of people more then likely rip it off google or other sites without even looking. While those may be hard to get rid of, watermarks would make it much easier to at least put-off people, and let them know it is yours. As for the irl thing, it definitely is an issue. Watermarks can't fix that, and people may still do things regardless. The way I see it, fight for what is yours. Fight for YOUR name. When you give up, that's when they win. I'll keep an eye out for ya. Also maybe suggest to certain sites like Flist that you don't want your art used. Hopefully mods will be better about take downs! I wish ya luck and all dear. Stay strong, and never give up.

Oh gosh, I'm sorry you're going through that. And who would dare steal our Mihari?! >3<

My only thought is aggressive DMCAing and C&Ds. This isn't a 'get thicker skin' issue, thats really BS

It's yours, if it is on FA report them. If not, copyright infringement. You have a right to your character, and someone else using it for malicious intent is not ok.

that is identity theft, you should be able to press charges since they are using your real name and pretending to be you.

Watermarks are a must when you have a lot of the sorts of good quality art of your character you do. Attention seekers on art sites are totally shameless. A ways back I did some art site moderating (which I prefer to leave unnamed), and there were running battles with a few individuals who would set up accounts, post lots of art stolen from good, but not 'famous' artists and try to establish enough of a following to cause problems before the mod team noticed. If any of them had put the same amount of effort learning how to make art as they did trying to create their fake personas, they'd have achieved their end without having to steal a thing.

If someone is using your real name, and not just stealing character/art... then I think it's gone past just attention seekers. Hopefully you can get mods on the relevant sites to take the stuff down without too much trouble, but be very careful to pay attention to how much information the offenders might have about you. If it gets to the point where they seem to have more detailed personal information... I'd start to regard it as genuine identity theft and consider reporting it to the proper authorities.

definitely would go with C&D orders. Especially if they use your real name. If they're going to use your real name, that is 100% Identity Theft and needs to be dealt with a legal smackdown.

But I get it. people want to be you because you're popular and well known. they want to be someone other than themselves. But by doing that, they're robbing themselves of being themselves, and developing into better people/sonas.

If you take down everything, and pack it up; they win. and people probably have ways to get ahold of art even if it's deleted; they'll still impersonate you but then they'd be able to run amok unchecked and unfettered, which could even come back and hit you hard even if you've left.

Watermarks are a smart way to keep things in check, and re-uploading your old artwork with a watermark will definitely make a difference. As for the impersonators, leave it to your fans, hun~ We got your back!

While I appreciate the notion of fans having my back, not only can I not ask for help publicly on most sites, but I fell downright terrible for having to ask.

You shouldn't have to, hun. More people need to be vigilant about character theft and impersonation, because one day it could be one of theirs stolen.

Usually when someone gets caught impersonating someone, it spreads like a wildfire throughout the community. I myself, when I see modified art or new accounts with a recognized piece as their avatar, usually attempt to contact their respective owners.

If I see someone impersonating you, I'll make sure to let you know as well as the administration of the site... And hope they'll do the right thing. You're a treasure to some of us, Mihari. Merely being able to see your art, and in instances like this give you advice and talk to you; is something beautiful. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the orchard for you, okay?

The whole name aspect is Scary and crazy. But then again it's your name by all right that is a crime onto them true they are useing the name with your Cheetah but again I think a watermark is best but if you do switch your character make sure that if to when she appears again for there will be people who will take advantage over the fact (if you do retrie her as your main) she is not your main and worster people will come out for her.

Again I'm unsure what you can do other the Fight for what is yours and make safe Gaurds that this piracy won't happen unchallenged.

I do wish you the best in whatever choice you make my lady but I strongly suggest don't give up don't go quitely in the night Fight for her. She is you in a fursona way. But she still you online so Fight for her.

You know my opinion on this love, but I wanted to add that no matter what I support you. I'll be here for you no matter what. What you're going through is awful, and I wish there was more that I could do for you.

It IS a bit much, you're not wrong! But those people also won't do anything to ya. Sure it's creepy...but you'll be fine, and have every right to be concerned. As long as it ain't your address or something, THEN that'd be something really serious.

no ur not going overboard for feeling that way u worked hard to get ur character where she is for people to just say i like her so much shes mine now....thats not fair to you.and for your real name thats just straight up creepy of them......have u tried making a post on ur front page where u say this is where i upload and this is the only places i am...anything else is fake.? oh but if someone is using ur name to act on ur behalf without ur permission u can sue for that

Nah that stealing your real life name is fucking creepy. I wish these art thieves would fuck off, I swear.

I recommend... A leather belt D<

Abandoning the character probably isn't going to help you, besides, then they win right? But really, it doesn't matter weather or not you pack up and leave, they still have your name, and to try and win over authenticity they will continue to use it. There's the legal stuff you could try to do but all that is highly stressful. Though possibly issuing warnings when you see impersonators popping up will help, and not only will it inform us, it sends a message to the imposers that you won't just let it happen. Though that has it's own set of problems, I know you're probably hesitant to do so as it can easily send a mob their way, so I won't try and tell you what you should or shouldn't do.

There sadly does become a point when it comes to large scale recognition where you'll start to have copycats and impersonators, that's why Trump's twitter handle is @realdonaldtrump, and he certainly can't do anything to stop the impersonators. (this is not an endorsement of him, rather just he makes a good example of a public figure with a similar issue)

I agree watermark and copyright your art.

Being a furry doesnt make you immune to identity theft if you are popular enough. Sorry this is still happening to you and also some others. We live in the Misinformation Age and people can be cruel and petty about people above them. And it never stops. Unfortunately, I suggest fighting it because if you just pack up and leave, they gives those asses full claim to your fame and fortune regardless of how large or small

Anyone can get around watermarks
But they cannot correct resolution
I purposely upload lower res pictures for this reason. I have given up on getting people to stop using my art and just accept the fact that people are gonna be like that.
When i do and I know for a fact someome is stealing an identity
Whatever platform it is, I report them and contact the person whose sona they're stealing so they can take action also.
The fact someome is using your rl identity is creepy. Id report them and request for a takedown.
Thats why you should use dead end emails and ids
So someome cannot look up your real details.
If you want to remove everything, purely up to you.

You do what you feel comfortable with. If you feel resolve in removing everything, no one is gonna hold it against you.
Sure we will miss but in a sense too, it'll hopefully persuade some people to be a little more proactive in reporting fake accounts and keeping an eye out for art/identity theft.

I’m so sorry you’re still dealing with this, hon. :c
I wonder- could it be possible that it’s the same person doing this stuff and harassing you? IIRC there were 2 screen caps you posted in the past of DMs you sent to people with Mihari in their icon and they responded in the same shitty way by throwing insults and insisting “nO Ur THe imPOstEr!!1!1!” Like, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the same asshole!

But using your real name this time around? That’s just awful. I wonder if there’s a way they could face serious consequences for that type of stuff? I’m no lawyer or whatever but I’d LIKE to believe that it could warrant more than just an account ban.

I hope you can figure something out, whether it’s watermarks or something else. If need be I’ll be sure to use em on any future pics I have planned with Mihari. It just really depresses me as well because I adore the character so much and I hate seeing her be misused by a bunch of absolute zeros.

Hope this gets resolved somehow! You have my support and love!

You have all the right being pissed about it amd basicly both side have right and dosen't *hugs you* we here to support you that's for sure!!!

Those are just jealous people.

Really hoping that the claims of identity theft and impersonation and whatnot are actually persuadable, because THAT IS NOT RIGHT ON SO MANY LEVELS

I am glad to know you have dedicated followers, writing a response on how to handle the situation. You can always contact the website administrators, but some sites will not take action unless if you have legal proof of copyright claims. I knew someone on Facebook that eventually had to get a lawyer because half the time, they took no action.

Using your real name is completely horrendous and I'm fairly sure it's illegal too. You have every right to complain about that.

Not entirely informed on the character stealing things, but if its something like artists drawing your sona without permission (but it still being you) I would personally let that slide.

I am a past victim of real ID theft. Send you a private note about it...It's personal.

If you leave, then the theives win and will be emboldened to do it again to someone else. Crime only continues when no one fights against it. You should push harder, do what you can to make them face justice, and probably take efforts to make your art harder to steal (e.g. filing legal copyrights; using watermarks).

A Polish furry artist named Rossali was in your shoes: her characters & art were being used without her permission by some guy, but she didn't give up in her efforts to stop him and eventually got the guy arrested--it even made the news.

People out there taking your IRL name is... no bueno. You could pull a Zig Zag and track down the offendors... fast problem solution, but that might get you in trouble yourself.

User names and characters are one thing. Using your real name is a HUGE red flag that can get you in trouble.

Also please never "purge" your gallery. All that does is punish the followers that didn't do anything. This applies to all artists and such.

I'd say that packing up and leaving is admitting defeat. Not to mention that leaving will not stop those impersonators from doing their false act. I'd say that if you can crack down on them then all the better. If not then just hold on since there are people out there wanting to find the real you instead of an impersonator.

Sorry if it's obvious, I can be dense, but are they using your actual name, or the name of your account? If the former, no, I don't think it's too much to be angry and freak out over that, though I don't know what you can do about it. If the later, it's weird, yes, and you have every right to be uncomfortable about it.

They were using my actual RL name.

Mihari is used often too, however.

Ok, yeah, that's fucked up. Idk how to help you myself, but if you feel that you need to delete your account, I totally understand

Your real name? Geez, that IS creepy.

It's definitely time to start watermarking your stuff and tightening your security, so to speak. Those telling you to thicken your skin, however, should be ignored, as theirs is so thick and callous, all the lotion in the galaxy wouldn't be able to make them feel again.