spread :: ocala magazine :: mane event

Opening spread for a feature story about the opening of the Florida Horse Park. I had this idea which seemed so perfect for them, but we didn't have a budget for an illustrator for this project so I created it at home on my time. The image along with my headline (puny guy) received terrific response.

 

But that's just half the story.

 

The Florida Horse Park liked it so much they asked to use the illustration (and the title) for an upcoming event... for free. I suggested they just buy the rights from me and that they should consider it for their actual logo. They cried poor. Because of their relationship to the city and my magazine I granted limited rights to use it (for free) for that event for that year only. The next year I got the same phone call, made the same suggestion and we ended with the same (free) limited usage rights.

 

Here's where it got interesting.

 

The next year, I open our local newspaper to see an ad for the upcoming event using a VERY poorly executed variation of my mark — no permission asked! I was already letting them use it for free so WTF?!? Now I'm mad! They claimed ignorance to any wrong doing and didn't want to compensate me so I lawyered up. In the end I got paid. Not enough for the time I spent dealing with the crooks, but enough so they felt it. I learned a valuable copyright too.

 

:: Comments and/or criticism is welcomed ::

Done