AMINA is DEVASTATED

I will no longer be participating in the thread, If you would like to say something to me, please post in my journal.



I also received this yesterday, This is about the hundredth email that I have received about this, they all sound the same, this is just the most recent and has nothing to do with the twat above:

"Amina, Hi, I saw you on Inked the other night and I LOVE the tattoo on your chest (skull) I was wondering if you might have a clear picture of it you might be willing to part with? I have only been able to find bits and pieces of it, and a price of what it cost to have it done, time etc... I absolutely have to have it, Please let me know. Thanks So Much Robert Strong San Bernardino, Ca. 909-XXX-XXXX"

My tattoo is not just a piece of flash on a wall, it was designed specifically for me. I just don't understand people.

Its seems that I have temporarily lost interest in everything and am possibly, for the first time, genuinely depressed.

Thanks a lot.

Amina

EDIT SEPT. 22ND:

From my journal:

This statement cannot be construed as SLANDER as all facts are truth, concerns can be directed to NoHart13@Aol.com.

Recently it was brought to my attention that my original chest piece designed and tattooed by Tim Kern has been copied on another persons chest by Brandon Swartz of Inflictions, Covina CA.



My upset lies solely in respect and business ethics, an area in which both the tattooist and patron are lacking.

Twwly made this statement earlier:

Her uncanny ability to understand me is one of the many reasons she is one of my best friends. A similar incident such as this has also happened to Twwly.

After extensively consulting with my lawyer I have decided to not peruse legal action. I do not want to waste my time on two ignoramuses who are unable to think for themselves. In my life I am truly satisfied and content, I just don’t want the drama. Very recently I have purchased a house in Las Vegas and am looking forward to moving in without unnecessary stress.

When I called Inflictions to speak civilly with Brandon Swartz concerning the matter I was mocked and laughed at by the employees of Inflictions who stated that I would just humiliate myself as the public would find my actions frivolous. Later in the night I received a call from a tattoo artist of mine concerning the welfare of his friend, Brandon personally requested that this man contact me concerning the matters. This was followed by a call from Brandon Swartz who indeed confirmed that he was aware the tattoo had previously been tattooed on flesh. Swartz acknowledged that he knew who (Tim Kern) had tattooed the original piece while trying to flatter me by stating that Tim is such a better artist than he. (maybe because Tim is able to draw his own tattoos?)

When I spoke with Brandon Swartz I ultimately decided that I would put the matters to rest if I received an email (not phone or address) contact of the man depicted in the photograph as well as a written apology from Swartz, Swartz then claimed that I was asking for TOO MUCH.

Brandon Swartz threatened me stating that ‘All artists would hate me’ this, though not true, would not bother me as all of my artists are good friends and men of respect, none of them are scratchers like Brandon Swartz.

Swartz also claimed that Steve Potts (Owner of both Inflictions shops and Swartz’s boss) is good friends with Paul Booth (Tim Kern’s boss) and this matter could jeopardize Tim Kern’s job. It is common knowledge that Paul Booth himself has had a tattoo of his own illegally reproduced on the skull of another man, I highly doubt that Paul Booth would ever side with the Artist who illegally reproduced the image. In fact I would think that Paul Booth would want to see some precedent set in these matters.

This is just about the last of my time that I will put into this, however I am further hesitant to allow clear photos of the tattoo to be displayed anywhere.

I have sent in submission for official registration with the U.S. Copyright Office. As soon as I receive delivery confirmation the tattoo will have a REGISTERED COPYRIGHT. By law I am NOT required to obtain the registration as stated at Copyright.org:

"Copyright Secured Automatically upon Creation; The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright."

Any further attempts to illegally reproduce my copyrighted image will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Further, I will be posting the copyright number everywhere an image of my tattoo is available, though I am not required to give copyright notice by law via Copyright.org:

"The use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U. S. law. Notice was required under the 1976 Copyright Act. This requirement was eliminated when the United States adhered to the Berne Convention, effective March 1, 1989."

Please refer to these articles by Marisa Kakoulas, owner of Needled.com, to further educate yourself in the matters:

Fighting Back: Enforcing Tattoo Copyright

The Tattoo Copyright Controversy

It has been stated by a few people that due to me being in the ‘public eye’ it is, in fact, my fault for this reproduction. To those people I say this: Sure I may be featured in a lot of media and people may want to emulate my image, however, given my stature in the public eye I also have the opportunity to out this fool publicly over and over again. If requested I will speak freely on this matter in any media. People need to be shown that this is NOT OKAY.

My recent coming out about my leg (or lack thereof) has been a huge healing process. I have always been a negative person, which was something that I had substantially changed before the pirated tattoo. I don’t need this. I really want to hate the guy who requested my original art and the guy who agreed to tattoo it, but lately I have been thinking of it this way: This guy now has LOSER tattooed on his chest and has the rest of his life to look at it.

As for that LOSER, have your MOM email me instead of a man who has nothing to do with the matter. Obviously you are unable to handle anything your self.

Don’t you want to be yourself with your own ideas, identity and convictions? ‘Cause I just want to be me, and it is sad that I may have to legally defend this right.

In the extreme, I really hope you fuckers start lopping off your legs in attempt to obtain my image. At least I would find the humor in that.

Hearts, Amina Munster




[Edited on Sep 22, 2005 by Amina]

What a fucking prick

Brandon Swartz at Inflictions in Covina. He is the artist.

I still am yet to find out who the guy is that got my tattoo. Ill be finding out tomorrow.

You guys can click on the photo to be taken to Shannon's original post.

Amina