For those who have just joined the fray, a month back a certain millionaire "artist" called Todd Goldman was found by a fan of an artist at Something Awful to have copied an old comic of his into a painting (read about it here)


After much outrage, Todd Golman has issued a half-arsed apology

POST POP-ARTIST, TODD GOLDMAN, CONTROVERSAL PAINTING

CLEARWATER, FL, April 11, 2007- Popular post pop-artist, Todd Goldman who has made a career of making fun of the world with his sarcastic commentary and cartoon icons, has mistakenly used the design of an another artist in two of his recent paintings. Todd's painting, "Dear God, Please Make Everyone Die", was inspired from a drawing he received unbeknownst to him belonging to an underground web comic artist David "Shmorky" Kelly.

In addition to painting, Todd designs t-shirts for his clothing company, David & Goliath. Todd and his design team create and receive thousands of design ideas every month. It's no secret that Goldman creates a lot of his painting ideas from his t-shirt designs. Goldman says "I made a judgment error and didn't research the background of this particular submission. "My intention was not to copy Mr. Kelly. I have never seen his work before and would never intentionally knock-off someone else's idea."

Goldman has issued a formal apology to Mr. Kelly and has stated that he will not be using his design again in the future. As a gesture of good faith, Goldman has pledged not profit from his mistake. He will instead donate his proceeds from the painting directly to Mr. Kelly or his charity of choice.

That letter was followed by a rather nasty war in Myspace, where fans of Mr.Kelly and the forum that pointed out the plagiarization had their Myspace profiles erased and replaced with this image.



However, that didnt stop people from noticing his stolen art, and galleries with other stuff he stole from being shown at sites like Myke Tyndall´s blog and Fleen, it seems that Todd Goldman is trying to shut them down by claiming sticking his lawyers on them. The webmasters of those two sites have received this from Todd-

Dear Sir or Madam:

This firm represents Mr. Todd Goldman. I write on behalf of Mr. Goldman regarding certain comments and disparaging remarks that are posted and housed on your website (www.miketyndall.com).

We have acquired articles posted on your website which contain defaming, derogatory and malicious statements about Mr. Goldman. Therefore, we request that you immediately remove these article from your website, as well as any subsequent articles and/or URL links of this nature regarding Mr. Goldman. Further, the hosting of such statements and/or URL links about Mr. Goldman is actionable defamation and libel that has caused irreversible damage to his character.

Unless we receive written assurance that you have removed these article, as well as any subsequent articles and/or URL links of this nature regarding Mr. Goldman, from your website by the close of business on Friday, April 20, 2007, we will have no other alternative but to take action to seek injunctive and monetary relief against you pursuant to Florida law. Please be advised that we will also seek to recover attorneys’ fees and costs associated with this matter. As time is of the essence, this action must be taken immediately.

This letter is not, nor should it be construed to be, a waiver of any rights or remedies available to Mr. Goldman under federal or state law, whether now existing or hereafter accruing.

PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY.

Sincerely,
Andrew P. Felix
SHUTTS & BOWEN LLP

Some sites that have held images comparing his work with art he stole from have removed their posts on him, fearing lawsuits. I suggest anyone who wishes to help out to continue mirroring sites displaying his art theft (like this site here). Let your local paper know about this.

Todd Goldman has a profile at the Jack Gallery website, they manage him (?). The gallery can be reached toll free by phone: 877.252.2122, or artist representation email: rep@S²art.com

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