Artists and Patrons Please Beware. - General Tiki

S squid Member Joined: Sep 30, 2002 Posts: 1462	S squid Posted posted on Wed, Sep 19, 2012 12:55 AM I haven't posted on TC for quite a while and it's sad that the current situation is my reason for posting now. I could get into details but I'll spare you all that and get to the heart of the matter: Max Fedela (Mo-Eye on TC, dba Taboo Island, tabooisland.com) has failed to pay royalties owed to me from sales of my licensed designs for over 1 year. I have given him multiple opportunities to make this right with no response except stall tactics. He has repeatedly failed to produce any accounting of sales or make even a token payment. After being exceptionally patient, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that Max has no intention of clearing this debt. It is truly upsetting that Max can't set aside the small percentage of his sales to compensate the artists who enable him to make a living (Yes, there are other artists in this identical situation). It would not be difficult to "pay as you go" by sending, via Paypal, royalties owed from Ebay sales at the time of the transaction. But not even this has been done. How anyone can attempt to justify this business model is unfathomable. I have obligations that ABSOLUTELY RELY on my royalty income. So crying "POOR!" while I receive nothing from the profit off of my work just doesn't cut it with me any more. Bottom Line: Royalties due are a cost of doing business not unlike rent, a power bill or paying a vendor for supplies. So I humbly ask that: ARTISTS: Please be wary of doing business with Max Fedela, Mo-Eye, Taboo Island, tabooisland.com PATRONS: Please do not buy any "Woody" mugs, "Marquesan Cloud Rower" reliefs, or any Squid lighters or pendants from Max Fedela, Mo-Eye, Taboo Island, tabooisland.com. Max has been given a Cease and Desist notice and these items are unauthorized reproductions. Thanks. Dave Cohen AKA Squid

I haven't posted on TC for quite a while and it's sad that the current situation is my reason for posting now. I could get into details but I'll spare you all that and get to the heart of the matter:

Max Fedela (Mo-Eye on TC, dba Taboo Island, tabooisland.com) has failed to pay royalties owed to me from sales of my licensed designs for over 1 year. I have given him multiple opportunities to make this right with no response except stall tactics. He has repeatedly failed to produce any accounting of sales or make even a token payment. After being exceptionally patient, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that Max has no intention of clearing this debt.

It is truly upsetting that Max can't set aside the small percentage of his sales to compensate the artists who enable him to make a living (Yes, there are other artists in this identical situation). It would not be difficult to "pay as you go" by sending, via Paypal, royalties owed from Ebay sales at the time of the transaction. But not even this has been done.

How anyone can attempt to justify this business model is unfathomable. I have obligations that ABSOLUTELY RELY on my royalty income. So crying "POOR!" while I receive nothing from the profit off of my work just doesn't cut it with me any more. Bottom Line: Royalties due are a cost of doing business not unlike rent, a power bill or paying a vendor for supplies.

So I humbly ask that:

ARTISTS: Please be wary of doing business with Max Fedela, Mo-Eye, Taboo Island, tabooisland.com
PATRONS: Please do not buy any "Woody" mugs, "Marquesan Cloud Rower" reliefs, or any Squid lighters or pendants from Max Fedela, Mo-Eye, Taboo Island, tabooisland.com. Max has been given a Cease and Desist notice and these items are unauthorized reproductions.

Thanks.

Dave Cohen AKA Squid

Post #652621 by squid on Wed, Sep 19, 2012 12:55 AM