Gary Larson, creator and cartoonist of The Far Side © recently sent me an email. Now, under normal circumstances, I would have been ecstatically thrilled at this. The man is one of my heroes, and his self-imposed retirement from drawing Far Side cartoons a few years ago left my world that little bit emptier. I’ll be honest and say that I am still kept up at night trying to figure out a few of his cartoons I still don’t get. Before I die, I’ll work them out. But this obsession is testament to his skill! I have all his books, and most of the reprints and best of’s as well. I have had numerous desk calendars, bought a veritable pile of Far Side greeting cards, and may have even had Far Side branded underpants at some stage…
My point – I not only am a fan, I have also contributed to what I assume is a fairly wealthy man’s fortune.
So, it surprised me to receive a letter from him. Or, more precisely, from his lawyer (see the letter below). A website I own hosts a number of talks that can be used in youth groups. The site hasn’t been updated in about 7 years. One of the talks was about how to use Gary Larson’s cartoons to teach young people about God. It was a fun talk, and it included some examples of his cartoons. It was written by a friend of mine.
Now, Gary Larson, in a nice enough way, has asked us to remove the page. What I don’t get is his logic. His argument is all about his emotional attachment to his cartoons, his desire to exercise control over their usage and the fact that they are “his children”. Sure. But what about the 20 Larson books I have in my library? Why isn’t he concerned about them? I’ll be honest and say I don’t think I’ve dusted them in over a year, and one or two may have torn pages. Does that make him sad?
Why can’t he just be honest and say, “Hey punk, if you didn’t pay for the pictures, you can’t use them”. I did actually pay for them – the pics on the site were all scanned from legal copies of his books that I own.
Anyway, you read his letter, and let me know if I am being unreasonable to be just a little bit disappointed. If he had said, “Go to PayPal and make a donation”, I would have done that immediately. But I must say there is a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. But maybe I am just too much of an Internet idealist that believes there comes a time when what you’ve put “out there” just has to be trusted to the universe. As an author and presenter myself, I accept that people use my work, and I don’t pursue the copyright I own and am entitled to. Is that just me? I’d like your opinion.
From: Andrea Fryrear [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 09 October 2006 05:37 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: The Far Side copyright infringement
Importance: High
October 9, 2006
Jonathan Stanton-Humphreys
Youth Talks Database
[email protected]
Via E-mail: [email protected]
Via E-mail: [email protected]
Via E-mail: [email protected]
Re: Notice of Infringement of The Far Side Cartoons:
http://www.youth.co.za/talks/index.htm
Dear Mr. Stanton-Humphreys:
Creators Syndicate, an international newspaper syndicate, syndicates Gary Larson’s The Far Side cartoons to foreign newspapers. In addition we handle all reprint permissions requests for The Far Side following guidelines long established by Mr. Larson and his company FarWorks Inc. (copyright owner to all Far Side images). In short, we approve or disapprove requests to reproduce Mr. Larson’s cartoons, and carefully monitor the ways in which they appear.
We are writing on behalf of FarWorks, Inc. and Gary Larson about your posting of nine Far Side cartoons on your website http://www.youth.co.za/talks/index.htm. While Mr. Larson is certainly flattered to know you are a fan of his work, we have to be concerned about any unauthorized use of The Far Side name and cartoons, especially when they appear online.
FarWorks has a serious problem with unauthorized uses of The Far Side worldwide. As a result, it does not allow online publication of works from The Far Side. No matter how insignificant a few uses may seem, it still amounts to making versions of the cartoons available in digital form for anyone to download, which makes it virtually impossible for Mr. Larson to control future uses, something that is very important to him.
Please read the letter from Mr. Larson below, and respect his wishes by removing the cartoons from your website. Many thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Andrea Fryrear
Permissions Department
Creators Syndicate
5777 W. Century Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Ph: (310) 337-7003
Fax: (310) 337-7625
E-Mail: [email protected]
Enclosures: A note from Gary Larson
A note from Gary Larson
RE: Online Use of Far Side Cartoons
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I’m walking a fine line here.
On the one hand, I confess to finding it quite flattering that some of my fans have created web sites displaying and / or distributing my work on the Internet. And, on the other, I’m struggling to find the words that convincingly but sensitively persuade these Far Side enthusiasts to “cease and desist” before they have to read these words from some lawyer.
What impact this unauthorized use has had (and is having) in tangible terms is, naturally, of great concern to my publishers and therefore to me — but it’s not the focus of this letter. My effort here is to try and speak to the intangible impact, the emotional cost to me, personally, of seeing my work collected, digitized, and offered up in cyberspace beyond my control.
Years ago I was having lunch one day with the cartoonist Richard Guindon, and the subject came up how neither one of us ever solicited or accepted ideas from others. But, until Richard summed it up quite neatly, I never really understood my own aversions to doing this: “It’s like having someone else write in your diary,” he said. And how true that statement rang with me. In effect, we drew cartoons that we hoped would be entertaining or, at the very least, not boring; but regardless, they would always come from an intensely personal, and therefore original perspective.
To attempt to be “funny” is a very scary, risk-laden proposition. (Ask any stand-up comic who has ever “bombed “on stage.) But if there was ever an axiom to follow in this business, it would be this: be honest to yourself and — most important — respect your audience.
So, in a nutshell (probably an unfortunate choice of words for me), I only ask that this respect be returned, and the way for anyone to do that is to please, please refrain from putting The Far Side out on the Internet. These cartoons are my “children,” of sorts, and like a parent, I’m concerned about where they go at night without telling me. And, seeing them at someone’s web site is like getting the call at 2:00 a.m. that goes, “Uh, Dad, you’re not going to like this much, but guess where I am.
I hope my explanation helps you to understand the importance this has for me, personally, and why I’m making this request.
Please send my “kids” home. I’ll be eternally grateful.
Most respectfully,
Gary Larson
There may be tools available such, as this to keep people from copying an image.
If you can protect this work by Larson from being copied, maybe they will allow it to stand, with permission, since the argument that it can be further copied and spread all over the Internet becomes moot.
Aren’t parents supposed to let their children go at some stage?
Hey Dragon – that’s a cool utility you linked to! It’s supposed to protect the viewing of the page source code and the saving of images through the “Save as…” dialogue box. The only problem is people can still take screen shots of the page and save the images that way…which means we couldn’t protect the cartoons from being copied.
In terms of Graeme saying he bought the pics so it’s ok to scan them and put them online…well, the copyright licence in the front of just about all books states that the contents cannot be transmitted via any electronic medium without the written consent of the author. *sigh* I know it should work the way Graeme has said, but it doesn’t.
Yes, I later realized screen shots were possible, but I figured the quality would be very poor. I guess that would still not be acceptable, though.
“Like having someone else write in your diary”?
Excuse me, but most people don’t sell their diaries.
I don’t buy this explanation. If it’s about the money, then just say so. But don’t lie to me, Mr. Larson. You insult us both.
If you had meant for your cartoons to be private, you would have kept them all under your pillow with a heart-shaped lock on them.
Way to give the finger to your fans.
Why can’t you just be honest and say, “Sorry I reproduced copies of your work without asking your permission. Won’t happen again.”
Why should it matter what reason Larson gave? It’s his work, you put it up on the web, allowing others to take copies of it without permission. If he said it makes his earthworms sleepless knowing that his work is being copied for free, what difference would it make? You’re still not being honest about your end of it.
Kevin,
I hope this works for you.
Dear Mr Larson,
I am sorry that I did not ask your permission to display your cartoons on my website. As per your request I removed them immediately.
I am also sorry that you live in nightmare world. It must be tough to be haunted by the lack of control you have over your cartoons. I apologise that for so many years, as an avid fan, I begged you, pleaded with your publishers and fuelled your industry by buying your books – all the time not knowing that each time you penned a cartoon and sent it for publication your heart was breaking as you lost control of its use. Maybe its best that you have stopped drawing now that the Internet age is here…
In fact, no. The world is not better since you stopped drawing. I hope it wasn’t the lack of control over your drawings that led you to the decision to retire. That would be a tragedy.
But, rest assured, I will not put any more of your drawings online.
If you don’t mind, though, I will continue to show them to my friends and children, in the hope that they will become fans like I am, and will go out and purchase the Far Side memorabilia that will keep you in the lifestyle to which I hope you have become accustomed.
And, if you get a chance and the urge, please draw just one more… Please.
Regards,
Graeme Codrington
I’m on Larson’s side. I understand what he’s saying. He’s not blaming you, he’s just saying that there are people out there who will take the opportunity to steal his cartoons from any website they’re published on, and you know what? It’s completely true. People download music, movies, video games, comics, books and god knows what else for free because they don’t want to pay for them – I have no doubt there are people out there who would do the same for Gary Larson’s cartoons.
Also, and this is to Space Coyote – be quiet, you boring little person. That is all.
You bought his books. You paid your hard earned cash money. Are you making money on his work, and not paying him his cut? Not by the looks of it.
WTF is Mr Larson bitching about? Maybe one of the kids that don’t find God, will rob him at gun point, and he will reap what he sows.
Way to pay it back, Mr Larson. Way to go!
Oh dear! I have instructed my legal department to begin preparing a strategy based on the infamous ‘Wookie’ defence used so well by Johnnie Cochran in South Park.
Although it will be painful I also think, as a sign of protest, I will begin lazer treatment to remove the large Gary Larson cartoon from my back! So there Mr Larson.
Other artists exists. At one time Mr. Larson would do ANYTHING to have someone look at his work. Did he not send FREE samples out to potential publishers?
Look for the unknown artist. Larson left you. We bought his books – and guess what – after a few years of irrelevence – I’m sure he’ll resurface. He might even “accept” someone promoting his work. This if – if the money has all gone away.
I’d remove Larson – and find someone new and fresh. After reading some of Larson’s work – it does feel very early 90’s – ish…..find an unknown – they may be the next Larson – because Larson was noone at one time too! 🙂