So You’ve Been Ripped Off? Raymond Biesinger Has Just the Book for You
Artist and illustrator Raymond Biesinger wrote 9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal Self-Defence Guide for Independent Creatives to assist creatives facing unauthorized use of their work.
About the Book
Biesinger explains his motivation: “Spite, quite honestly,” he laughs, before adding, “My goal with the book is to open up the window of possibilities for what people think they can do [to protect their work and their rights].” His artwork has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Monocle, and many others.
Inspiration Behind the Book
Living in Quebec with his family, Biesinger conceived the book while negotiating with an unnamed organization that had used one of his images without permission or payment. Reflecting on his 20-year career, he realized he had numerous stories about similar experiences.
Content Overview
What began as a single story evolved into a mix of career reflections, a memoir, and a practical guide. The book covers a variety of cases, including:
- Simple incidents like tracking down a music promoter to recover a $50 fee
- Complex disputes with agencies over image usage rights
“So what originally was going to be about one rip-off turned into something that was more like a career survey, stealth memoir and business self-help book all rolled into one.” — Raymond Biesinger
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Author’s summary: Raymond Biesinger’s book offers independent creatives practical strategies and personal insights to defend their work against unauthorized use.
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