Rainbow Brite

[Erica McKenna]

Quite a few of you are aware of the video posted by Eric Nova regarding his rainbow tail. I have posted my rebuttal on my fan page. There are always two sides to every story. Before you cast judgment, I hope you will take a moment to see the screenshots of our actual conversation. www.facebook.com/mermaiderica

[Mermaid Nessie]

Blix didn't steal your design, trust me if he did, he'd be the first to admit it and give credit. As someone who has actually had their tail design stolen by a company there is no legal action you can take because you can't patent a design. A cascading rainbow isn't that original of a design, there's a few people who have tails like yours. LOL.

[shimmygoddess]

First your tail is gorgeous. I don't think I had seen it before. However, I agree with Nessie, It is a really popular color scheme. I see the same stuff in the dance community with veils. They make them in both Horizontal and Vertical patterns so that is normal. I do agree he was harsh in his video. That just seems to be how he is.

[Erica McKenna]

Other than Blix and myself, who else has a tail that looks like ours? Not just rainbow colors, but the exact same design? I'd love to see them.

[Erica McKenna]

Also, I am very sorry to hear that your tail design was also stolen by a company.

[shimmygoddess]

Other than Blix and myself, who else has a tail that looks like ours? Not just rainbow colors, but the exact same design? I'd love to see them.

I do not really pay much attention to tails, so I personally dont think I have seen any. I am confused by this part though " Not just rainbow colors, but the exact same design?" What specifically about the design other than the rainbow is the issue? The transition of color? fluke shape? I am not sure I am understanding correctly, or I possibly missed something. :(

[Erica McKenna]

The horizontal bands of color starting at red at the waist and ending in a purple fluke. The two tails are exactly the same, except he changed the fluke shape on his. And I promise you, other than the two of us, there is not another tail that looks like it. I was replying to Nessie, how she said, "there's a few people with tails like yours lol". No. There's not.

[Erica McKenna]

When that makeup company used Finfolk's tails for their brushes, nobody thought that was okay.

When that kid from Asia was reprinting pics of people's tails and selling them, nobody thought that was okay.

Why is it okay for a tail maker to directly copy another mer's tail and sell it to his client/rent it out for photoshoots?

I am not saying I own the rainbow. I have stated numerous times that I am NOT pursuing legal action. But after he made a 14 minute long video calling me out and lying about this whole ordeal, I felt the need to tell my side of the story. This happened months ago. I mentioned it to a friend of mine on facebook to relate to a situation they were going through, and it somehow got back to him, and he felt the need to make a video to try to make me into a laughing stock. It's just infuriating. Why anyone thinks any of this is okay, just bewilders me. I literally have screenshots of all him liking and even commenting on pics of my tail before he made his. And people still believe it was a coincidence?

[AniaR]

I don't think Blix's tail looks exactly like yours at all. I know this is a very upsetting issue for you and your tail is very close to your heart but he has colors that you dont, a totally different shape, and a dorsal fin and a lot of extra white. The tail was used for a pride shoot, and the pride flag is based off the rainbow. I don't think anyone would confuse it for yours. But I do know I believe it's magitail are about to come out with one that looks a lot like it.

To me it's just a different interpretation of the same colour scheme. Like all the dozens of splash tails out there. We are all orange and black in pretty much the same layout, but each tail is unique, and no one confuses us for eachother.

Sorry this has been so upsetting for you.

[Erica McKenna]

I don't think Blix's tail looks exactly like yours at all. I know this is a very upsetting issue for you and your tail is very close to your heart but he has colors that you dont, a totally different shape, and a dorsal fin and a lot of extra white. The tail was used for a pride shoot, and the pride flag is based off the rainbow. I don't think anyone would confuse it for yours. But I do know I believe it's magitail are about to come out with one that looks a lot like it.

To me it's just a different interpretation of the same colour scheme. Like all the dozens of splash tails out there. We are all orange and black in pretty much the same layout, but each tail is unique, and no one confuses us for eachother.

Sorry this has been so upsetting for you.

These two tails don't look the same to you?
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j339/Erica_McKenna/PicsArt_02-07-07.32.45_zpszcz5ly1k.jpg (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/Erica_McKenna/media/PicsArt_02-07-07.32.45_zpszcz5ly1k.jpg.html)

What "other colors" are in his other than white? Because I don't see it. I see a tail maker who liked and commented on someone's tail and then made one that looks just like it.

Raina, I know you are friends with him so you want to defend him. I get it. I do. We want to think the best of our friends. But these two tails are the same. The fluke shape is different and it has white accents. That is not a big difference here.

He was well aware of me before he made this tail. Why not send a message telling me that he had a client wanting a rainbow tail and he'd like to make one similar to mine? Because guess what, I would have been fine with that. I've been saying this entire time all I wanted was him to show me a little common courtesy. I don't think that's a lot to ask.

[Erica McKenna]

When someone buys a Splash tail or a solid colored tail, they know that they will not be the only person who has that tail.

When someone works with a tail maker to create an original design, it's different. They expect to be unique. They are paying to have something nobody else does. It is not the same thing at all.

[AniaR]

it's got a big white stripe down the middle and white on the fluke. it's got a totally different shape. it has a white dorsal fin. it has black and brown shading and accents. yes, IMO it's different. I am sorry you feel that it isn't. That white really stands out in photos and makes it look totally different from you.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/14372292_847862395314462_1591629649632406122_o.jpg ?oh=bec305ea4dc6a51706c17b06f98c17ff&oe=593CB5D6

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j339/Erica_McKenna/mermaidsignature_zps2e64fa66.jpg


I'm not trying to be a jerk. I would be the FIRST one to call out people for blatantly ripping off a tail. Ask Naja herself, we met cuz i thought one of her tails looked too much like a finfolk tail. Im not just siding with Eric cuz he's a friend. I just legit think the tails look different.

Plus they are both literally the color spectrum and it's been pointed out

http://www.wallpapermaven.com/cat/abstract/download/Rainbow-1920x1440-19.jpg

[H-SAMA]

I understand your frustration.
They do look similar but also very different... at least to me.

I don't know neither of you guys... and not sure if his client knew about you... so I am not going to get into any opinion on copycat or not.

but I'd like to maybe ask something, or invite to think in a different way:
I think when we are specifically dealing with a natural occurring color scheme maybe people will ended up having the same... taste?
sorry, I can't explain myself better but let's say it's like if you both inspired yourselves in an orca, a koi or a maybe a parrot fish, wouldn't the tails kinda look the same even though no one is trying to copy?

I guess I mean: some themes makes the tails look similar, no matter how one tried to make it different, because the theme is so strong ...

[AniaR]

And I think it's worth pointing out that Asian guy literally took people's photos and printed them on fabric which actually is considered by law as illegal.

[H-SAMA]

Also, I think instead of seeing as a down, you could see as a great marketing opportunity maybe?
He's Eric, you're Erica.
MerMan x Mermaid
Black x White.

I'm already shipping! <3

[SteampunkMermaid01]

I'm sorry to stir up bubbles, but in my personal opinion the tails do look rather different. The only thing that looks even similar to me is the color order (red, orange, yellow, so on and so forth)- and as previously stated the rainbow is the rainbow and has been around for longer than fashion designers have had the colors to replicate it. The fluke looks different, and the shades of the colors are different/the transition between colors is slightly different. Yours has a bit of an angle while Blix's appears to be directly horizontal as well as having the white details in the center and fluke.

I understand that as merfolk tails are very, very big parts of our worlds and we keep them very close to our hearts. I'm sorry that you are hurting. I'm sorry that you are frustrated and upset. I really do think your tail is absolutely beautiful, because all of those are lovely colors... What most gets to me though is that as this big crazy mer-community we should be supportive of each other and welcoming of each other and instead we sometimes have this habit of bickering. Not just this instance, I've found other instances of drama and disagreement. I suppose what I want to say is that I see different tails and really fintastic mers who get to wear them!

[Erica McKenna]

Also, I think instead of seeing as a down, you could see as a great marketing opportunity maybe?
He's Eric, you're Erica.
MerMan x Mermaid
Black x White.

I'm already shipping! <3

I really did try to be nice to him. I actually apologized to him at first. You can see it in the screenshots.

[Erica McKenna]

I understand that as merfolk tails are very, very big parts of our worlds and we keep them very close to our hearts. I'm sorry that you are hurting. I'm sorry that you are frustrated and upset. I really do think your tail is absolutely beautiful, because all of those are lovely colors... What most gets to me though is that as this big crazy mer-community we should be supportive of each other and welcoming of each other and instead we sometimes have this habit of bickering. Not just this instance, I've found other instances of drama and disagreement. I suppose what I want to say is that I see different tails and really fintastic mers who get to wear them!

I can't possibly agree with you more. Thank you. I think that may be the hardest part of all this and the most upsetting part of it for me.

I was told about the video on his page, it's 14 minutes long of him lying and cursing at me. And then in the comments there are so many people that I thought were my friends, or at the very least we're people that I thought I had a mutual respect for, and they are just laughing and joking and telling me I am a nobody and f me and all this. It's very hurtful.

[AniaR]

Everyone is really for lack of better word triggered right now and ready to pop. That's not an excuse, and doesn't make it OK, but I think that's where it all comes from right now. he said he got an email? I think that's what spurned it on. And that's how he deals with things, makes videos on his personal page.

[Erica McKenna]

Everyone is really for lack of better word triggered right now and ready to pop. That's not an excuse, and doesn't make it OK, but I think that's where it all comes from right now. he said he got an email? I think that's what spurned it on. And that's how he deals with things, makes videos on his personal page.

One of his friends sent him screenshots of a comment I made on Mermaid Dan's page. JV was saying he didn't think it was fair of Dan to ask everyone who is friends with Shannon and Bonnie to unfriend them. I said that I have 83 mutual frinds with Blix (not using his name in the comment), but you don't see me demanding that people unfriend him because he slighted me. Apparently I cannot even discuss the situation with my own friends without it getting back to him and me suffering further abuse. I guess I should just shut up and not say anything to anyone? I should just allow myself to be bullied into silence?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Your tail is solid colors fading into each other with NO white.

His tail has white down the middle, with fading colors on the sides.

They're not exactly the same. Though it is similar, there are still differences in them, that make each tail unique.

I don't see what the argument is here.

[jukumerboii]

ONCE AGIN, a TRANS celebrity client asked for a rainbow tail,,,
i drew 3 different ones,,,
SHE PICKED THE ONE THAT WAS MADE!

HOWEVER, due to her status getting bigger and bigger she could never get time to do her shoot with HER rainbow tail.

Fast forward to David hitting me up for the interview,,,
he's a GAY male
so am I
SO I WORE THE DAMN RAINBOW TAIL!

YEA i liked your pics and commented on them MANNNNNNNY tides ago
that don't mean i STOLE your tail design gurl!
if you didn't bring it all back up on Dan's stat i wouldn't have made the video!!

ERBODY telling you the tails are different and you STILL don't get it!!!!

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I SAID WHAT I SAID!

a newer more cunty RAINBOW TAIL will be made since you keep going on and on!!

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7c/64/39/7c6439d9dd48bf409de921a123182566.gif

[Slim]

I'm just jumping straight to the point. You are NOT being bullied into silence. A personal matter between two people was brought to all of us. You ask for our public opinion and almost all of us pointed out there are similar but they are DIFFERENT. If you go into silence, it was your decision and not his. You counter everyone that disagree with you but yet to comment on those that agreed with you so I'm not understanding what you are wanting here. Why isn't anyone complaining about similar makeup styles? If people wearing the same makeup style can't be a legal issue and then why is a tail with a different fluke and white stripe in it (not on your tail) is an issue? I'm not trying to upset you but if this is getting no where; let's just stop. If it was me, this thread should be lock because it's just hurting this community now. Sorry to be THAT guy that says that.


One of his friends sent him screenshots of a comment I made on Mermaid Dan's page. JV was saying he didn't think it was fair of Dan to ask everyone who is friends with Shannon and Bonnie to unfriend them. I said that I have 83 mutual frinds with Blix (not using his name in the comment), but you don't see me demanding that people unfriend him because he slighted me. Apparently I cannot even discuss the situation with my own friends without it getting back to him and me suffering further abuse. I guess I should just shut up and not say anything to anyone? I should just allow myself to be bullied into silence?

[Erica McKenna]

ONCE AGIN, a TRANS celebrity client asked for a rainbow tail,,,
i drew 3 different ones,,,
SHE PICKED THE ONE THAT WAS MADE!

HOWEVER, due to her status getting bigger and bigger she could never get time to do her shoot with HER rainbow tail.

Fast forward to David hitting me up for the interview,,,
he's a GAY male
so am I
SO I WORE THE DAMN RAINBOW TAIL!

YEA i liked your pics and commented on them MANNNNNNNY tides ago
that don't mean i STOLE your tail design gurl!
if you didn't bring it all back up on Dan's stat i wouldn't have made the video!!

ERBODY telling you the tails are different and you STILL don't get it!!!!

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I SAID WHAT I SAID!

a newer more cunty RAINBOW TAIL will be made since you keep going on and on!!

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7c/64/39/7c6439d9dd48bf409de921a123182566.gif
If you want to be cunty, that's on you. And it says a lot more about you than it does me. Here's exactly what I put on my Facebook fan page:

And Eric, I would accept a sincere apology from you, should you ever decide to give me one. I apologized to you, when I thought I was falsely accusing you. You have now publicly defamed me, stolen my intellectual property, and tried your best to make a mockery of me to the mermaid community. I would truly drop all of this and never mention it again had you just been nice to me from the beginning. As I told you in our conversation, I believe our goals are the same. To bring awareness to the lgbt community and spread the message of equality and love for all. You have never extended that message to me, but I will extend it to you. I forgive you, even if you never apologize. And I just hope that you will never do this to another mer. You have a wonderful creative soul, you can do great things if you break open those SKETCH BOOKS and use your own designsssssss.

[Erica McKenna]

I'm just jumping straight to the point. You are NOT being bullied into silence. A personal matter between two people was brought to all of us. You ask for our public opinion and almost all of us pointed out there are similar but they are DIFFERENT. If you go into silence, it was your decision and not his. You counter everyone that disagree with you but yet to comment on those that agreed with you so I'm not understanding what you are wanting here. Why isn't anyone complaining about similar makeup styles? If people wearing the same makeup style can't be a legal issue and then why is a tail with a different fluke and white stripe in it (not on your tail) is an issue? I'm not trying to upset you but if this is getting no where; let's just stop. If it was me, this thread should be lock because it's just hurting this community now. Sorry to be THAT guy that says that.

I meant that I feel bullied by Blix. Not by the people in this thread. And I have responded to those that agreed with me or said nice things. I appreciate that, I really do.

[Venessa Louisiana Mermaid]

Erica you know where I stand on the rainbow tail. Regardless of whether you think he copied you or not, I cannot stress enough that you have no legal standing here. COSTUMES CANNOT BE COPYRIGHTED. Why do you think there are princess party companies? Hell don't you dress up as Elsa (I heard that....not sure as to the accuracy.) Point is, if costumes could be copyrighted, Diseny would come like hell after these companies or cosplayers. While I get that you think the tail is similar, how is this even affecting you? Its not like you are in the same geographic region and/or he is taking business from you. Seems very attention seeking.

Furthermore, I made a post about this a while back, and apparently JV got so damn upset about WHAT OTHER PEOPLE said on my thread (even though I never mentioned you by name) he blocked me. Real mature. Then today I saw you defriended me even though I have not said a WORD more about this issue. I guess I must be guilty by association of the people you are taking issue with. I really thought you were a cool person and agree with like 99% of what you post....except for this.

I think you need to let this go. Bottom line is you really have no case here.

[RomanLaveau]

I meant that I feel bullied by Blix. Not by the people in this thread. And I have responded to those that agreed with me or said nice things. I appreciate that, I really do.
LOL girl NOBODY is bullying you, you can't be mad that snake bit you when you poked it. YOU posted about it on someones status THEN he made a video. YOU posted about it on here, and EVERYBODY disagrees with you. You asked about the Finfolk make up brush and the Chuckie kid printing peoples tail, and why everyone agreed on that being but can't agree with you on your problem; because guess what? HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG. Honey don't come for people when they don't send for you then you won't get "bullied." Again, you posted last night about it, andddd he read that ass, now you wanna say you feel bullied. It doesn't work like that. And lastly, he said a newer more cunty TAIL was going to be made, he never said he was being cunty, I guess that was bullying you too huh? We all know you not pressing charges, because YOU HAVE NO CASE, but whatever I digress. I'm not going to have you keep trying to drag my twiin because he got some press and you stuck in no mans land.

[Erica McKenna]

Erica you know where I stand on the rainbow tail. Regardless of whether you think he copied you or not, I cannot stress enough that you have no legal standing here. COSTUMES CANNOT BE COPYRIGHTED. Why do you think there are princess party companies? Hell don't you dress up as Elsa (I heard that....not sure as to the accuracy.) Point is, if costumes could be copyrighted, Diseny would come like hell after these companies or cosplayers. While I get that you think the tail is similar, how is this even affecting you? Its not like you are in the same geographic region and/or he is taking business from you. Seems very attention seeking.

Furthermore, I made a post about this a while back, and apparently JV got so damn upset about WHAT OTHER PEOPLE said on my thread (even though I never mentioned you by name) he blocked me. Real mature. Then today I saw you defriended me even though I have not said a WORD more about this issue. I guess I must be guilty by association of the people you are taking issue with. I really thought you were a cool person and agree with like 99% of what you post....except for this.

I think you need to let this go. Bottom line is you really have no case here.

How many times do I have to state that I am not pursuing legal action?

I unfriended you because I can see the comments you made on the video, girl. You made a post about this awhile back, I'm supposed to know your stance on the situation, and you are commenting laughing at me, but you didn't say a word about it? Yeah, OKAY. That makes sense.

[AniaR]

I am really sorry you feel this way. But I think this is just a personal issue dragged out onto the forum, and no good comes of that. Believe me, I know. how many times did I have to personally learn that lesson ;)

I think there's a big difference between bullying, and commenting on a situation people keep making public. And I think there's also a difference between bullying, and outright abuse which is what Dan was talking about.

I know you made some comments about Eric being put on the mers of color panel for mermania. He is a mer of color, and we felt that appropriate. I guess you felt we were encouraging a thief, but as we've all explained here, we do not feel he is a thief but rather recognize this as a personal dispute between the two of you. Mertailor and I also have had personal disputes in the past, but we still hosted him at mermania.

i think at this point you're not going to get the result you want. You want us to see he's stolen something, we don't agree. You want us to believe he's a bully but the truth is, he's a really reasonable guy. he comments on things, and has no problem talking with people face to face. I didn't watch the video I think i saw the first 5 minutes and I decided to get some sleep. But I can assure you if eric really said anything seriously mean (he normally just rips jokes) people woulda called him on it. I was concerned once about one of Eric's videos he was planning and I messaged him directly about it.

So i think for now, it's best to just go your different ways and recognize you're just hitting your head against the wall with this one. Sometimes in life we dont get the apologies we feel we deserve. I know that one all too well. it sucks really bad, but you gotta keep rolling with it

[Erica McKenna]

LOL girl NOBODY is bullying you, you can't be mad that snake bit you when you poked it. YOU posted about it on someones status THEN he made a video. YOU posted about it on here, and EVERYBODY disagrees with you. You asked about the Finfolk make up brush and the Chuckie kid printing peoples tail, and why everyone agreed on that being but can't agree with you on your problem; because guess what? HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG. Honey don't come for people when they don't send for you then you won't get "bullied." Again, you posted last night about it, andddd he read that ass, now you wanna say you feel bullied. It doesn't work like that. And lastly, he said a newer more cunty TAIL was going to be made, he never said he was being cunty, I guess that was bullying you too huh? We all know you not pressing charges, because YOU HAVE NO CASE, but whatever I digress. I'm not going to have you keep trying to drag my twiin because he got some press and you stuck in no mans land.

I said that I was feeling bullied into silence. Because your boy is telling me to leave him alone and not mention this.

And my mistake, he did say cunty tail not that he is being cunty. But you're right. A cunty tail would be incredibly appropriate.

I've already stated that I'm not upset at the fact that he got press. I told him that in the very beginning. I think the more awareness being brought to LGBT issues, the better. It's more about the message than the tail or who is wearing it.

[Venessa Louisiana Mermaid]

How many times do I have to state that I am not pursuing legal action?

I unfriended you because I can see the comments you made on the video, girl. You made a post about this awhile back, I'm supposed to know your stance on the situation, and you are commenting laughing at me, but you didn't say a word about it? Yeah, OKAY. That makes sense.

My comments on the video did not differ from the status I made a while back. My opinion hasn't changed....that opinion being claiming someone told your tail design is ridiculous. Just curious why you apparently didn't mind when I made the status, but you did mind when I commented on a video. But whatever. If you gonna delete everyone that thinks this whole thing is silly, you will be deleting a ton of people. And I just don't see your end game here Erica? If you aren't pursuing legal action (which is good because you have no case) and Blix is really not causing you any financial loss, what really is the point of all this? To beat him into submission to admit something that you think he should admit?

And frankly I watched all this nonsense from the sidelines until you made the comment to Dan about you would not go to MerMania because we had Blix on the panel, insinuating we were promoting some kind of thief. Now there you were just wrong.

[Erica McKenna]

I am really sorry you feel this way. But I think this is just a personal issue dragged out onto the forum, and no good comes of that. Believe me, I know. how many times did I have to personally learn that lesson ;)

I think there's a big difference between bullying, and commenting on a situation people keep making public. And I think there's also a difference between bullying, and outright abuse which is what Dan was talking about.

I know you made some comments about Eric being put on the mers of color panel for mermania. He is a mer of color, and we felt that appropriate. I guess you felt we were encouraging a thief, but as we've all explained here, we do not feel he is a thief but rather recognize this as a personal dispute between the two of you. Mertailor and I also have had personal disputes in the past, but we still hosted him at mermania.

i think at this point you're not going to get the result you want. You want us to see he's stolen something, we don't agree. You want us to believe he's a bully but the truth is, he's a really reasonable guy. he comments on things, and has no problem talking with people face to face. I didn't watch the video I think i saw the first 5 minutes and I decided to get some sleep. But I can assure you if eric really said anything seriously mean (he normally just rips jokes) people woulda called him on it. I was concerned once about one of Eric's videos he was planning and I messaged him directly about it.

So i think for now, it's best to just go your different ways and recognize you're just hitting your head against the wall with this one. Sometimes in life we dont get the apologies we feel we deserve. I know that one all too well. it sucks really bad, but you gotta keep rolling with it

Raina,
I did mention about him being on the panel, that is true. And it was that concern.

I actually tried to message you regarding this issue when it first happened. You did not respond. I know you're busy. But I did try to reach out to you to get your opinion on it, because I do respect your professional opinion.

I highly encourage you to go back and actually watch the video. Although it won't change your mind, I think it may be helpful to at least know what I am up against. And if you haven't seen the screenshots I posted, please do so. Like I said, before casting judgment, I encourage everyone to see both sides of this story.

I know he is nice to others, but he has not been so to me. Like I said earlier, I know he's your friend and I get that. I do find it interesting that you originally met him because his company was making a tail that looked similar to another maker's tail, and he has been vocal in supporting copycat artists such as Chuckymermaid, and now here we are again.. but I guess it will take him directly copying someone EXACTLY to get anyone to believe that he is not coming up with these designs by himself. That is kind of sad, because I'm sure that if he's gotten away with it before, and he's clearly getting away with it now, he's bound to do it again. And someone else will feel the way I feel, and that sucks for them. I feel bad for his clients as well. They are hiring him thinking they are getting original works and they are getting *slightly different* copies of other mer's tails. But, that's his business, not mine.

Really, I didn't post this thread so I could argue with everyone (although that's what it's turned into). I just watched a 15 minute long video and felt I should have the right to share my side of the story. If nobody agrees with me, oh well. Like I said, I forgive him even if he never apologizes.

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.

[AniaR]

Erica I replied to you but never heard back when you messaged me ;)

40220

I don't agree with everything Eric does by default just because he's my friend. I told him off about the Chuckymermaid thing, lol ask him.

[Erica McKenna]

Erica I replied to you but never heard back when you messaged me ;)

40220

I don't agree with everything Eric does by default just because he's my friend. I told him off about the Chuckymermaid thing, lol ask him.

I'm sorry. I never saw your reply. My bad. Thanks for replying.

[Saelyyia]

I suggest any further issue with this may want to be moved to the drama bubble thread as it now directly by name is dragging various interpersonal issues between mers in the community up. At this point the thread has become quite redundant. As issue was stated, the community weighed in, and then more issues just keep being dragged out.

[AniaR]

I suggest any further issue with this may want to be moved to the drama bubble thread as it now directly by name is dragging various interpersonal issues between mers in the community up. At this point the thread has become quite redundant. As issue was stated, the community weighed in, and then more issues just keep being dragged out.

members cant just move it to a new thread, only admin can do that and none seem to be active right now

[Erica McKenna]

I suggest any further issue with this may want to be moved to the drama bubble thread as it now directly by name is dragging various interpersonal issues between mers in the community up. At this point the thread has become quite redundant. As issue was stated, the community weighed in, and then more issues just keep being dragged out.

My apologies. Had I known that there was a drama thread, I would have posted this there originally.

[Ryan Ankh]

I mean. Honestly..you have a basic tail with the rainbow flag on it... it's a good tail - but you didn't invent pride, which you're aware of..so you know that gays put that on literally everything ad nauseam. It sucks that you felt bullied - but more so it's sucks you saw someone get attention for doing the same basic thing you and a every other gay on the planet has done and got mad jealous.
Wondering if you hated on mertailor last year, for his? The entitlement and shade of it all :/
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=40437&stc=1

[Erica McKenna]

I mean. Honestly..you have a basic tail with the rainbow flag on it... it's a good tail - but you didn't invent pride, which you're aware of..so you know that gays put that on literally everything ad nauseam. It sucks that you felt bullied - but more so it's sucks you saw someone get attention for doing the same basic thing you and a every other gay on the planet has done and got mad jealous.
Wondering if you hated on mertailor last year, for his? The entitlement and shade of it all :/
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=40437&stc=1

I didn't see that Mertailor tail until now, but yes, I would have spoken out about it if I had seen it. Especially since I originally went to Eric to have my tail made, but ended up going with a different company. So I did send him design ideas regarding my tail prior to it being made.

[Mermaid Wesley]

YIkes I didn't realize this thread is a month old! (Bad wes). You can ignore me -_-



______________
Sometimes, things look similar without the intent to copy being there. There ARE lots of rainbow tails. Here are a few I found on google.

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.FV0HkyjaBty5vP722lqHxQDhEs&pid=15.1
http://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.1i8X0Z1Dxv-bolR_5zTDdwCvEs&pid=15.1
http://g01.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1wCQ5IXXXXXbHXXXXq6xXFXXXX/Myle-Girl-SwimWear-Colorful-Bikini-Bathsuit-Rainbow-Swimmable-Mermaid-Tail-Monofin-Including.jpg
http://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.SWP7jEs09Saj_m-XsC3-DgEsEs&pid=15.1
http://mernetwork.com/imgs/tailmakers/FlipTails.jpg
http://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.inkP0JTipUHANDQTSsXZfgDsCw&pid=15.1
http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.MIfgpUB2kLj8M9oGpvHa4gDhEs&pid=15.1

The thing is, some of these people might be copying each other, but most definitely aren't. Another example is MY silicone fluke shape. I made this fluke design for my silicone tail:
40476
I wanted it to be unique, original, and my own thing. I based it on a tattoo design i saw for angel wings, which I then modified, mirrored, and made into a fluke shape. I wanted to be different from other tailmakers and stuff. I love the shape and was happy to be the only one with this fluke. BUT THEN
TWO WEEKS LATER
The honorable merbella came out with this fluke:

40477

I was like -____- "Wtf Raven, Thats a prettier version of my fluke design"

Now I know Raven didn't copy me. I had only drawn the design and she had already made a tail with the new fluke. (She definitely thought of it first) And I hadn't seen her design first, either. We came up with the designs independently of each other, but coincidentally posted them online within a few weeks of each other. Now to me, the flukes look very similar. Other people disagree, but essentially the point I am making is, sometimes coincidences happen. Tails are often similar. There was a point in time where there were two light-up tails in production at the same time. I saw a tail with my exact color scheme started a little while ago and got grumpy for a little while, but they aren't copying me, we just both had the same great idea.

I'm sorry you're upset, I know the feeling, but I don't see this as a case of copying either. As I am sure you know, accusation of copying is a serious thing in this community, and people get fired up and upset over this stuff. Can you imagine the explosion of anger if I had accused Raven of copying my fluke? YIKES. I hope everyone can relax and feel better about this situation.

Anyways since then, I am ok with my fluke having cousins on other tails around the world :)

[AniaR]

^actually, mine was just the first tail she posted with the fluke. she'd already sold 2 by the time she posted mine. was just too busy to post anything lol I also didnt pick the fluke. I gave her free reign to design the tail :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yours was just the only tail with that fluke I could easily find via google lol (my work's wifi blocks alot of websites) I don't think you copied me either ;)

[Erica McKenna]

I apologized to him at the time and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he hadn't seen my tail. Etc. But then when I found out he had liked every one of my pictures on my fan page, that makes it a little harder for me to believe he was unaware of my existence.

Honestly, it was more in the way it was handled than it was the fact that my tail has a cousin, as you put it. Had he come to me and said, "Hey I have a client who is a trans actor who wants a rainbow tail, would you be cool with me making a tail that looks like yours?" I would have been totally cool with that. Or when he found out I was upset, had he come to me with an apology instead of rudeness over and over again, I'd be friends with him right now. I'd be happy to shake hands and be cool with it. I've said numerous times it's about the message, not about who's wearing the colors.

[AniaR]

honestly, eric always has liked just about anything mermaid related on the internet lol. anyone and everyone, like bombs are common. I can see how from your perspective that could seem sketchy, I've just seen him like-bomb anything mermaid pretty much since FB existed.

[Aurelian]

Ugh, this seems so frustrating. I'll admit I don't know much about how this all happened, but I honestly don't feel like the design issue is nearly as much of a problem as the things that happened afterword. Rainbow designs are all over the place and are often used, but everything in the video he posted seems definitely out of line. Has anyone considered contacting him about it? A third-party member who you both know wouldn't take sides, who can try to settle things? Again, I'm not saying that I know exactly what to do here, I wasn't there when all of this happened, but I feel like it would work better that just you saying how wrong it all is.