I received a bootleg(?) mermaid tail

[JadeSparrow]

Hey, Mernetwork. I have a bit of a dilemma right now. So long story short, I have family in China and I always ask them to send me bootlegged items like the Samantha Vega Sailor Moon bags and anime figures. I know it's awful to get bootlegged stuff but I can't afford the real things. This is no excuse though, so I admit I'm a trash person. But anyways my family sent me a fake mermaid tail out of nowhere thinking I would like it. Their gesture was sweet but I can't bring myself to use it. I tried to explain to my family how it's wrong to get things like that and they told me "You always asked for bootlegs!!" so..yeah. They have a point and I didn't know how to argue with that. So I just told them that I'm thankful that they thought of but but the quality of the tail is horrible(which is true) so don't ever buy them again and they said they won't.

Anyways. I'll talk about the tail. It's huge and weird. I've never actually seen a silicone tail myself but I don't think the flukes are as nearly as big as what mine is like. The fluke alone is as big(or long) as my body. I feel like there's no way I can actually swim in this without drowning. There's a large logo(and the logo is stolen from Mertailor) printed in the front and back of the fluke that says "Candy Mermaid" I think. It's too blurry and nearly impossible to read lol I'll take better pictures of it later and upload it. The monofin is...not really a monofin. It's a regular snorkel fin kind of held together by the clear material which is what the fluke is made out of. Again, I'll take better pictures later to show you guys.
So for now, I'm not entirely sure what to even do with the tail. I kind of want to make a video about the quality of this bootlegged mermaid tail and warn people not to get these but is featuring a bootlegged item right?

[Marinus Mortimer]

Oh wow [emoji44] that's a big fluke! I don't think getting "bootleg" stuff is bad because if you can't afford the real thing then mine as well get bootleg I mean I've been buying bootleg movies and cds my whole life it can't really hurt the tail maker because it's not like all Finfolk costumers are going to jump to get this item. It's called a hustle and that's the way some people survive nowadays. I don't think you'll drown as long as you are a good swimmer and know your limits, you should definitely try it an a pool and don't worry your not a horrible person I know most of us have bought something bootleg atleast once in our lives.


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[AniaR]

yes these are screen printed rip offs of finfolk. they take finfolks photos and print them out on fabric. it sucks for them. these companies probably make more money than finfolk. Finfolk make deal with more money but their items cost so much to make.

[Khaleesi Daenerys]

It looks cute from the pic you sent, I can't see the whole thing though. It appears to be made out of fabric. If it's your first tail you could think of it as a practice tail. So when you do finally get a silicone one you won't scratch it up and destroy it. This one can take the brunt of the damage that most tails seem to get the first few weeks. :)

[JadeSparrow]

I admit that it does look cute from a distance but from up close you can definitely see it's all blurry because it's stretched out from the original size. I put my bird scarf next to it to compare how blurry it looks. I could not get a good picture of the monofin but it's those two tiny things on a clear floppy material.

[AniaR]

it looks like Mermaid Gingers but I think it's Meilyns

[AniaR]

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10672180_562679883838381_8966148210537150495_n.jpg ?oh=b4cd939624fd89fc02e92124b25d0249&oe=59887A8D

[AniaR]

looks a bit like this one too

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16729308_769917109838896_1661223761757908618_n.jpg ?oh=94a4e8a122a30772df002648ef9d7f7b&oe=59743233

[AniaR]

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14469531_689598967870711_6665543461548886895_n.jpg ?oh=dc09adf744957962350f19f1b598d460&oe=598FCDBE

[AniaR]

this one too

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/1487861_364470587050219_682991715963872268_o.jpg?o h=78d8a7e1c886d5536771e77ccf88b66c&oe=598166C9

[AniaR]

now that i see them all there it's def that one. ^ sorry for the multiple posts I tried to put it all in one!

[Marinus Mortimer]

this one too

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/1487861_364470587050219_682991715963872268_o.jpg?o h=78d8a7e1c886d5536771e77ccf88b66c&oe=598166C9

I knew it was this one lol [emoji23] but it's not such a big deal it's not like they are making exact silicone copies down to the scale pattern it's just fabric print.


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[Mermaid Momo]

"not such a big deal" is easy to say when you aren't an artist who has to deal with people profiting off of your work. These are ripoffs made from something that is someone's bread and butter that they spend forever perfecting their skills on, only to have it stolen and the EXACT likeness of it being sold for profit by another company which probably makes more money on it than the original creator does on their own craft.

[Marinus Mortimer]

"not such a big deal" is easy to say when you aren't an artist who has to deal with people profiting off of your work. These are ripoffs made from something that is someone's bread and butter that they spend forever perfecting their skills on, only to have it stolen and the EXACT likeness of it being sold for profit by another company which probably makes more money on it than the original creator does on their own craft.

It's not not really. How are they making more money than Finfolk when the original tail cost more than 3Gs they would have to be selling these tails by the hundreds to make more than what the original is worth especially if this came from china which means that shit is super cheap.

I'm making my own line of extended silicone tails and if people want to make print mock up replicas let them they would never compare to the original products craftsmanship and besides this serves as good advertisement cause anyone who looks at this tail knows it's a finfolk tail wannabe.

People do this all the time with more reputable brands like Gucci, MK, LV, etc and no one bats an eye. Like I said before it's called a hustle baby and for some folk is the only way to bring that "bread and butter" to the table. This product could never compare to Finfolk work and therefore can't actually steal any more than mere pocket change it can't hurt no one I for one totally supports the bootleggers of the world may they continue on their pirate ways... "Take what you can, give nothing back." -POTC


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[Khaleesi Daenerys]

I don't make mermaid tails so my comment is coming from a design perspective. I've had my designs used without my permission before and it sucks, it hurts for sure. But in this case it's some company in China, and that's what they do, they make bootleg items. Since it's being done over there I don't believe the original makers could lawyer up with a cease and desist letter.

Since you have the item already you might as well use it because throwing it away would be a waste. Maybe see it as a learning tool about how bootleg items are bad and effect the person whose work they mimic.

Since it's a mermaid tail that you've seen from a tail maker you respect, it appears to have become personal for you, where as the other items purses ect weren't. So now you might have some empathy or at least some sympathy for the companies that make the other bootleg items you own. Maybe you won't buy bootleg again, maybe you will. It all depends on you.

Not saying you're a bad person. It doesn't effect me one way or the other I'm just offering some perspective.

Ps If you don't want to use it you could always donate it

[LouLouBelle]

There's no excuse for stealing other people's designs. End of.

That tail is from Chucky mermaid - and he's got a reputation for stealing other people's designs and making money from it.

He could just as easily have drawn up his own designs and printed them off. That wouldn't have cost him any more. There is no excuse for stealing FinFolk client's designs. That just shows a complete lack of respect for both FinFolk and their clients, as well as sheer laziness on the copycat's part.

If you can't afford a silicone tail, then by all means go for a cheaper fabric tail - but that doesn't justify blatant copying of someone else's design.

And it doesn't matter how many other people do it too - that doesn't make it right, and it's a really poor excuse.

Given the size of the fluke and what you've described of the fins, I would be very cautious about swimming in that. A large fluke will add drag, and you'll struggle if you don't have a decent fin in there.

You might be ok with other people taking your designs for their own gain, but the vast majority of the population wouldn't. Myself included.

Please try to understand just how hurtful and disrespectful it is to steal someone's design like that. A lot of time and effort goes into each individual tail design - from both the client and the tail maker. Any artist who puts a lot of work into creating a unique tail design does not deserve to be ripped off by someone who can't be bothered to put in any real effort themselves.


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[Khaleesi Daenerys]

There's no excuse for stealing other people's designs. End of.

That tail is from Chucky mermaid - and he's got a reputation for stealing other people's designs and making money from it.

He could just as easily have drawn up his own designs and printed them off. That wouldn't have cost him any more. There is no excuse for stealing FinFolk client's designs. That just shows a complete lack of respect for both FinFolk and their clients, as well as sheer laziness on the copycat's part.

If you can't afford a silicone tail, then by all means go for a cheaper fabric tail - but that doesn't justify blatant copying of someone else's design.

And it doesn't matter how many other people do it too - that doesn't make it right, and it's a really poor excuse.

Given the size of the fluke and what you've described of the fins, I would be very cautious about swimming in that. A large fluke will add drag, and you'll struggle if you don't have a decent fin in there.

You might be ok with other people taking your designs for their own gain, but the vast majority of the population wouldn't. Myself included.

Please try to understand just how hurtful and disrespectful it is to steal someone's design like that. A lot of time and effort goes into each individual tail design - from both the client and the tail maker. Any artist who puts a lot of work into creating a unique tail design does not deserve to be ripped off by someone who can't be bothered to put in any real effort themselves.


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Was this for Mortimer?

[LouLouBelle]

Was this for Mortimer?

Yes - it was primarily a response to the comment 'it's not such a big deal'. Because it IS a big deal.

I don't have an issue with the method that's been used - printing tail designs on fabric to make a good looking, cheaper tail option. What I do have an issue with is stealing other people's designs to print.

If Chucky had used his own design instead of a FinFolk one, that would have been fine!

I apologise if this comes across as a rant, but I hate seeing people being ripped off and their designs stolen. It's just not fair.



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[SeaGlass Siren]

That's definitely my friend Mei's tail, not gingers.
i completely agree with louloubelle. Theft of a personal design is completely different than stealing a design meant for regular consumer consumption. Tail design is an art and to disrespect the creator is to disrespect every tailmaker who created specific individual designs, and every artist who has had their designs stolen.

also literally Mortimer. Again? Who the hell are you. Why are you calling laronda "baby" -- she's not your baby. Take your ignorant and misogynistic self elsewhere.

[SeaGlass Siren]

"It doesn't hurt me and therefore it doesnt hurt anybody else." What flawed logic.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hey Jade Spearrow! Thanks for showing us this! I think it could be a great thing to make a warning video about this! People might be tempted to buy because of the price, but turned off when you show all the issues with it. Its really sad that Finfolk is getting ripped off like this, and I am sure they would appreciate if you could point out how this bootleg isn't worth buying! The twins are great artists and it sucks that people don't have a respect for artisans who live off of their art. :(

Everyone else, I'm wearing my Mod Hat. Disagreement is fine. Overt condescension and personal jabs are NOT FINE. Consider this your warning. This is concerning other threads as well. Mernetwork's rules can be found Here

(http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?266-Rules-and-Disclaimers)

[Meilyn]

Please create a warning video just on the quality.
I spent a lot of time designing that tail style and everything with Finfolk bringing it to life.

Plus the quality they have is shitty to say the least lol. I'm assuming they tried to make it as close to the exact tail as possible with the stretching of the photo which ends up in it being all skewed and stuff. Can't believe they put a logo on the fluke though.... lol

[Mermaid Wesley]

Please create a warning video just on the quality.
I spent a lot of time designing that tail style and everything with Finfolk bringing it to life.

Plus the quality they have is shitty to say the least lol. I'm assuming they tried to make it as close to the exact tail as possible with the stretching of the photo which ends up in it being all skewed and stuff. Can't believe they put a logo on the fluke though.... lol

I was hoping you would chime in!

[Meilyn]

I heard my name being spoken �� speak thy name and I shall appear

[AniaR]

finfolk doesn't make 3k on a tail. How much you think it costs to make those tails man? how much $$ you think went into figuring out how to make these? how much time?

yes, when a 'company' comes in and steals a photo to mass print, they are making more bank than the company that invests 100 of hours and 1000s of dollars into making their craft. Tail makers don't make bank on their custom silicone tails, and that is CUSTOM someone's one of a kind item.

based on the comments coming from Mortimer this year I feel like he's just here to troll, I mean it's unsurprising he dismissed what happened at mermania since according to his facebok he's friends with the people who did it.

[SeaGlass Siren]

I heard my name being spoken �� speak thy name and I shall appear
:casually puts away summoning tools:

[Marinus Mortimer]

ok ok ok. fist off the Mermainia thing, I only commented because you were buying overly dramatic saying you got PTSD from dealing with whoever it was that caused the commotion, veterans from Vietnam like my granpapa can have PTSD from REAL traumatic experiences not some MER-drama at a convention. second don't call me a troll I don't know what it means but i don't like it, if I have them on Facebook is because I tried to have as many merpeople in there as possible I don't even know which one is "THEM". GIRL I know how much time goes in to tail making cause I've been making my own so no argument there. AND BASED ON MY COMENTS THIS YEAR???? before I commented on that most of the 400 comments I made where on my personal tail making thread so that wont go.

Here's the thing about BOOTLEG, when you infer that the item (the fabric tail) is the brand that's being {Finfolk Productions} copied and these Chucky people aint saying that this tail is a genuine Finfolk tail so it isn't technically bootlegging nothing!

Also Seaglass, WHO AM I? I am Marinus Mortimer nice to virtually meet you. BABY is a word I say ALOT, yes I know shes NOT MY BABY that's not what I meant when I said "its called a hustle baby" I quoted that from the fox in zootopia which describes how i am, just a FOX. "Misogynistic" take that shit back cause i am not by any means Misogynistic i grew up with only a mother for all my 4 siblings i watched her struggle every day to feed us i have a deep respect for all women out there so if you don't personally know me or my personality don go calling me names you hearddd."It doesn't hurt me and therefore it doesnt hurt anybody else." What flawed logic." i never said that i said {This product could never compare to Finfolk work and therefore can't actually steal any more than mere pocket change it can't hurt no one} so get your facts straight before you come at my neck...!!!


oh and i did not comment to start some type of drama i cemmented what i consider to be my opinion and i can voice it as many times as i want if yall don't like it then go somewhere yourself i live in America and its my constitutional right to say my opinion just like yall can voice yall opinions its fine by me.



I GUES A TROLL HAS BEEN BORN...

[AniaR]

Hi random dude I don't know. I have diagnosed PTSD, seeing how I am a victim of child abuse, and several violent near death experiences. It's not like I haven't been talking about it the entire time I've been on mernetwork. I am sorry that you seem to think PTSD only applies to soldiers, this is a common misconception. You can literally google "is PTSD only for veterans" or look up the current diagnostic manual. There's nothing dramatic about it, I was attacked all year long, threatened, black mailed, and then 3 assaults at the convention, and naturally all those things brought back issues from my abusive childhood, which all culminated when I came home and that abusive parent died suddenly, and I had to sit with them while they did. I know it may be too complex a thing for your brain to understand, but maybe try. I'm not sure if you think it's just online drama or what, but some of those mermaids causing issues have gone to people's home unannounced and harassed family members. It's so much more than a little forum drama. Really, one of those things that if you have no idea about, you're not really in a space to have an opinion! Did you even pay attention to the fact none of us actually brought this to mernetwork? if we were just trying to be dramatic it would be all over here months ago when it happened. instead it wasn't explained until someone else brought it up.

I think it speaks volumes, the things you decide to post dramatically/troll about, and I don't think it's a coincidence, honestly. Because I have seen this pattern time and time again, having been around in this community for 9 years. I mean let's see, quiet generally keep to your own threads then all of a sudden dismissing two serious things in a very dramatic way in a small space of time involving the same groups of people?

there's a difference between commenting your opinion, and then intentionally posting something baiting to get a dramatic reaction. If you haven't noticed, plenty of people here are capable of posting opinions with out passively aggressively suggesting someone is lying, or dismissing pain people have been caused

[SeaGlass Siren]

Wes girl I love you but I have to do this. Forgive me I'll take the mn ban.

First of all, Mortimer, it wasn't drama. People were actually ASSAULTED, and the drama was the harassment leading up to the 4 assaults. You'd know that if you had read Raina's response in its entirety instead of dismissing the entire thing. Also there were literally so many witnesses that came forward via fb live. Unless you're an actual certified doc or therapist, Don't dismiss her and call her over dramatic - she literally explained in the other thread she had to go to therapy and she was diagnosed by a Real certified therapist that she does have PTSD. it's not surprising you wouldnt care about the harm done to people at mermania, since you're friends with the people who did it.

Second, Semantics about bootlegging aside, theft is still theft. That tail design is stil meilyns tail design by finfolk. Does not make it excusable. Others have reach out to chucky a few times before that he can easily come up with his own designs and make his own tails without having to steal designs because it looks like he has enough photoshop skill to do so. He can still hustle but donit the honest way (fabric printing tail design is ingenious).

also on the topic of the usage of baby - his character is literally a misogynist until the end of the movie so if you watched the zootopia movie in its entirety you'd realize that acting like a jerk will get you nowhere. You calling laronda baby is still disrespectful and mysoginist regardless of what family background you have. Would you like your single mother to be called "baby" by male strangers? So nope. I won't take it back because that was very misogynistic.

Furthermore, you said in your previous post that you didn't care if people stole your tail designs, and you attached your feelings to other business and how they should feel when it comes to theft. In essence what you were saying is finfolk shouldn't either because theyre better quality. When in fact people do care because their art is theirs, not something that can be slapped on cheap fabric to be worn. My facts seem pretty straight to me.

Finally, being an American with constitutional rights has nothing with you deciding to be a complete jerk dismissing the entire mermania incident as nothing more than just drama, dismissing Raina's ptsd, and being a mysoginist. You're still acting like a huge jerk.

[AniaR]

I don't really expect Morti here to change his mind on things, but for anyone else interested in learning more:

How dealing with narcissistic abuse and people can cause PTSD and C-PTSD:
https://afternarcissisticabuse.wordpress.com/life/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-c-ptsd/
http://www.jenimawter.com/victims-of-narcissistic-personality-disorder-may-suffer-post-traumatic-stress-for-a-prolonged-period-of-timenarcissists-psychopaths-cause-ptsd-for-their-victims-by-tim-field-jan-2012/

And then published medical studies:
The psychological processing of traumatic experience: Rorschach patterns in PTSD (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jts.2490020303/full)

Child abuse and neglect and the brain—a review (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1469-7610.00551/full)

Cumulative interpersonal traumas and social support as risk and resiliency factors in predicting PTSD and depression among inner‐city women (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jts.20159/full)




Published book about how chronic harassment can cause PTSD:
https://bullyonline.org/old/successunlimited/books/ptsdcaus.htm
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: the invisible injury, 2005 edition
David Kinchin
ISBN 0952912147
(https://bullyonline.org/old/stress/davidk.htm)
http://www.psychologicalharassment.com/ptsd.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/malory-nye/workplace-bullying-ptsd_b_3726336.html

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/09/life-after-near-death


and I mean it's literally on the CDC for outside of military. but what do all these doctors and scientists know? We're just cry babies right Mort? Come live my life and see how well you do. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/ptsd.html

[Marinus Mortimer]

I guess that being a jerk is my Nature.

I apologize for being a jerk guys, you've got good points which I hadn't considered Raina and Seaglass if any of my posts where interpreted that way again I apologize I spoke my thoughts my mind won't change on the topic of bootleg though.

And I myself had a very traumatic childhood being sexually abused at a young age so I know what PTSD is ok, I know it's not only for veterans in not stupid thanks.

[Marinus Mortimer]

Also I did not come in this thread coming after any one I was the first one to reply here. Just saying. And I'm not friends with the people of the mermania incident they are simply in my fb friends list I don't comunícate with 90% of the people on my Facebook.

[LeeniusUnicorn]

Mortimer, a troll is someone online who goes around spreading anger, hate and staring fights.
It seems to me that a lot of this anger and miscommunication going on between threads comes from a limited understanding of what mental illness is and how it can come about. PTSD from combat is the most publicly known but is not the only way to end up with PTSD.
I have a PTSD diagnosis and I have never been in combat. Heh here's the kicker for you, I have friends with PTSD from combat who know my back story and they would rather live through their combat than what I've lived through. So you cannot truly judge someone else's trauma.



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[SeaGlass Siren]

... ok so if you have ptsd from childhood trauma and know other people can get ptsd from other than war....why did you dismiss Raina's trauma from mermania...?

[Marinus Mortimer]

Yeah I in no way intended to start any drama I simply said it was not a big deal which is my opinion and some people decided to come for my life but no biggie I was ignorant of Raina personal issues even though I guess she's expressed them over the past years I don't really pay attention to most things here but the tail making section for reference and guidance in my own tail making journey.

Again I apologize if what I posted may have come off as instigating or rude it was not my intention I was just voicing my opinion and people have the right to disagree with me.


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[Marinus Mortimer]

... ok so if you have ptsd from childhood trauma and know other people can get ptsd from other than war....why did you dismiss Raina's trauma from mermania...?

Because I did not know about her personal life issues.


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[AniaR]

I accept your apology, thank you.

[Marinus Mortimer]

I accept your apology, thank you.

I'm glad, sorry for my ignorance.


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[SeaGlass Siren]

...ok. But she explained everything and the situation in the huge paragraph you dismissed. You didn't read it?

[SeaGlass Siren]

It's fine I accept your apology as well.

[Marinus Mortimer]

What can I say I'm just a dumb Fox.


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[Khaleesi Daenerys]

And... this thread made to the hottest threads this week list. I knew I picked a good one to sit on. lol :cthulhu:
Anyway, about the tail in question what has the author of the thread decided to do? Make a vid as suggested by Wes? Keep it, dump it, donate it, mount it to a wall? Just wondering, also trying to steer the convo back to the tail.

[Marinus Mortimer]

She should make a video like Wes suggested earlier.


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[SeaGlass Siren]

The owner of the original tail also suggests the same.

[JadeSparrow]

Sorry for the late response!! I was reading the replies earlier and didn't know when to jump in because it was getting a little heated. But I appreciate each and every one of your reponses. Thank you Khaleesi, Meilyn and Mermaid Wesley and many others for the video suggestion. I will make a video about this very soon. I promise :)


Wow. So the logo says Chucky Mermaid..I had no idea and I was way off on guessing the name haha.


Meilyn, I'm so sorry that someone stole your design and selling it. Your tail design is absolutely beautiful and I can see why so many people would want it. But that's still no excuse of stealing someone's hard work. I am truly sorry that this happened.


And for the tail, if it's at least swimmable I'll use it as a practice tail and see if I can get used to swimming with a drag until I get a real silicone tail.

Once again, thank you everyone for replying and giving suggestions. I truly appreciate it!

[OtsanaBlackwolf]

This same issue with the people bootlegging finfolk tails is all over the group I'm in as well!! It's crazy even I would send them hand drawn patterns if I new they would use them in their prints of tails so that they can make ppl happy without the buyer getting yelled at for art theft or for the creators you know. It hard to find a big tail like that for cheap now a days .... Even if it does fall apart.... But anyway yeah it's all over FB too

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[Mermaid Clarity]

Just popping in some 2 cents as someone who worked in the fashion industry and still does design(graphic and costume) work today:

Yes, a lot of companies steal other people's designs and knockoffs are a good way to get fake designer brands without paying for the quality or the label. Designers like Gucci and Versace get knocked off all the time but what people forget is those companies send cease and desists all the time. Companies get sued for theft of intellectual property all the time as well. We just don't see it because it's so common it's not news. And just because it happens all the time and people buy those products, it doesn't make it right and really it's up to the rest of us to decide whether saving a couple bucks means it's okay to cheat other designers. Clearly, Mortimer thinks that's fine. A lot of us do not. (I too have been known to buy knock off makeup/brushes when I'm penny pinching) Just because it happens all the time doesn't mean people who are okay with it get to be smug about it, it's still illegal to steal other's IP and design work often counts under that title. If you want to get into the nitty gritty of copyright law and IP theft, I'm sure you can look it up but no one looks like a good guy when they're a smarmy *sshole about it. It just makes us happier when you get in trouble later.


Jade, sharing your thoughts on the quality of your tail is EXACTLY the best way to combat the bootlegging. Finfolk can then send a cease and desist if they think it'll help, and people will be warned about the quality of the product. Will it guarantee to stop the bootlegging? No but it's pretty much the most you can do without seeming SUPER ungrateful to your family who were kind enough to think of you and get you a present. The beauty of a small-ish community like Mermaids is that we can get more done quickly because word spreads FAST.

edited for repetitiveness.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Whew! I go to work and all this happens. Ok. In summary: Marinus Mortimer, your response after my warning warrants a 2-3 day ban. Since you apologized and you all worked things out, I'll leave this as a warning. I don't like having to chastise you all, I get enough of that as a middle school teacher. So please don't make me put on my mod hat again or there will be consequences! I'm glad everything is worked out now, though.

JadeSpearrow: Thanks for coming onto the forum and sharing this! Sorry this thread kindof exploded at you!!

[Marinus Mortimer]

Gotcha! I'm glad is dropped two but if anything I was kind of bombarded in the bigining so i was defensive and i was not the only one to comment after the warning so i shouldn't be the only one tha was or is going to get a 2-3day ban or am i wrong again?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

You're correct. My mistake! I meant to go back and check other usernames before submitting my post. I would have gone over all posts after mine, determined if any were considered provocation, and move forwards from there. (I am working right now so forgive me for being in-and-out.)

Gotcha! I'm glad is dropped two but if anything I was kind of bombarded in the bigining so i was defensive and i was not the only one to comment after the warning so i shouldn't be the only one tha was or is going to get a 2-3day ban or am i wrong again?

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[Marinus Mortimer]

You're correct. My mistake! I meant to go back and check other usernames before submitting my post. I would have gone over all posts after mine, determined if any were considered provocation, and move forwards from there. (I am working right now so forgive me for being in-and-out.)

No worries i understand where ur coming from. And being a teacher must be hard especially if you had students like i was! Phew poor teachers i had lol


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[LeeniusUnicorn]

Jade you could always try to dye the tail if you want to make it a little different. Because it's synthetic material you'll want a heavy duty dye and you'll want to dye it in hot water and for a very long time.
Just an idea. I'm glad you decided to make the video.


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[Mermaid Alea]

Thanks so much JadeSparrow for showing all of these detailed photos! I have been curious about how the quality would be since I figured it couldn't be that great when you are taking a tail from a photo that originally wasn't intended for scaling up so much.

The funny thing is they could have avoided the fuzzy issue even with the poor image quality. If you put this image in Photoshop you can zoom in and paint over it to clean it up and 'customize' it some more. They could have easily changed the color scheme - even drastically - using just a few sliders. They kind of threw this together rather lazily...

As others have suggested though, I would much rather see them make up their own designs - and then they wouldn't have issues with image quality (as long as they made their image the right size).

[JadeSparrow]

Thank you, Selkish :) I originally thought bringing bootlegged items to light might increase the chance of other people actually buying it because it's giving them exposure but I think you are right. Hopefully people will see the quality and decide not to get it.


LeeniusUnicorn, That's a great idea but I'm afraid that's going to be a little tricky because I'll have to cut open and sew back the end of the fluke to take the fabric out. I might do it when I have time :) Thanks for the suggestion!


Mermaid Alea, You are welcome :) and I agree! they could have made a better tail but I guess they are all about making a quick buck..

[LeeniusUnicorn]

That is so true, well if you ever do feel like getting into it, it would be a great time to reinforce the monofin if needed. If so I hope you make a post and share it with us. [emoji6]


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[Meilyn]

I sold the tail to fund my daily coffee business and so it is no longer my tail. Property of Wands and wishes mermaids now.

And since I've gotten fat and am no longer the 90 lb model that had a 23 inch waist when i gave measurements for that tail, I've decided to buy a new one. Waiting on base camp info for over a year but they said june-ish and I'm still fat so it's all good LOL. Watch out for another epic tall design frm Finfolk and the mind of this crazy bitch coming soon. Maybe.

[Khaleesi Daenerys]

You're correct. My mistake! I meant to go back and check other usernames before submitting my post. I would have gone over all posts after mine, determined if any were considered provocation, and move forwards from there. (I am working right now so forgive me for being in-and-out.)
Are you coming back to this?

@ Meilyn I'm sorry that you had to sell your tail I'm happy to hear you are getting a new one and I can't wait to see the design. :) Also I hope your business is doing well.

[JadeSparrow]

Oh nose D: I'm sorry to hear that you had to sell it, Meilyn! But you just gotta do what you gotta do for what's best :'( I'm super happy that you are getting a new tail from FinFolk though! I can't wait to see it when it's done

[Mermaid Clarity]

So I've seen a couple threads about these bootlegged tails now. Do we know what Finfolk had said about them? I've seen a bit of invocation of their name and ideas of what they *might* be thinking but nothing official from them.


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[Mermaid_Izzy]

I haven't heard FinFolks side, but I talked to one of the people who made them. She said she didn't know she was doing anything wrong and that other people asked her for those images to be placed on tails, but whether that is true, no one knows...


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[Mermaid Aria]

So I've seen a couple threads about these bootlegged tails now. Do we know what Finfolk had said about them? I've seen a bit of invocation of their name and ideas of what they *might* be thinking but nothing official from them.


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People have been linking them on their Facebook Finfolk Pod Squad group and their responses indicate that they are upset about it but there isn't much they can do because the companies are outside of the US.

[AniaR]

Finfolk is planning on making their own fabric tails soon.

[Mermaid_Izzy]

Finfolk is planning on making their own fabric tails soon.

I thought I heard about that! I can't wait to see their creations!


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[mermaidsammi]

I see both sides of this argument.
But regarding the TERRIBLE, what looks like flippers and not a monofin, in there is it possible you can remove those and put a monofin in it? It was gifted, while its wrong to steal others art I would still use it and trash it, it's not like you bought it knowing you were ripping someone's art off. If you can put in a monofin that you know if good I say use it as a practice or "for fun" tail.

[lynsea]

This thread is over a year old...

[Mermaid Jade]

Oh wow [emoji44] that's a big fluke! I don't think getting "bootleg" stuff is bad because if you can't afford the real thing then mine as well get bootleg I mean I've been buying bootleg movies and cds my whole life it can't really hurt the tail maker because it's not like all Finfolk costumers are going to jump to get this item. It's called a hustle and that's the way some people survive nowadays. I don't think you'll drown as long as you are a good swimmer and know your limits, you should definitely try it an a pool and don't worry your not a horrible person I know most of us have bought something bootleg atleast once in our lives.


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These tails are actually not good. They are very poor quality and very dangerous to swim in. They are not safe to swim in and these people make a load of money by stealing designs and printing it on cheap fabric.

[Trade Winds]

I hate bootlegs. So much. When I see kids at the local pools swimming in them I feel so...livid. like what can I tell parents? Are they REALLY going to listen? Are they more concerned about safety, or saving money? They tend to be the ones you can get on Amazon that are knock off fin fun or aquarius monofins. I WANT to explain the tails are not safe and there are better ones for their money out there. But will they listen? The thought of a parent blowing off my concerns for their children because they are legitimately bad tail really rubs me the wrong way.

[Mermaid Jade]

I hate bootlegs. So much. When I see kids at the local pools swimming in them I feel so...livid. like what can I tell parents? Are they REALLY going to listen? Are they more concerned about safety, or saving money? They tend to be the ones you can get on Amazon that are knock off fin fun or aquarius monofins. I WANT to explain the tails are not safe and there are better ones for their money out there. But will they listen? The thought of a parent blowing off my concerns for their children because they are legitimately bad tail really rubs me the wrong way.

I think you should always try to talk to them. Most parents are not aware that these tails are dangerous and if you're new, you're fooled easily. I was new once, and I wanted to buy a knockoff too, not because I support it, but because I thought it was a good quality tail. But then, accidentally, I stumbled upon a video, saying that they are knock off tails and that you shouldn't buy them.
What I wanted to say, is that most people are unaware of the dangers and may be relieved when you tell them.

[Mermaid Whisper]

I purchased a bootleg tail just over 2 years ago, styled like a FinFun (I also own several of those). While all the fabrics (tail, slipcover, footpockets) are considerably thinner, as is the fin blade, it's only terrible in the sense that it wouldn't get you very far in the water. I used the slipcover when my official FF tore and slid the blade in alongside my FF monofin for an extra push, and that's about the only decent use you'll get out of them!

I'd let them know about FF/SunTails because they're likely spending ~$50 for a knockoff and a kids' set can go on sale for as little as roughly $70 and last way longer!

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[Mermaid Fenicia]

Yesterday I talked to a girl who bought a 'silicon' tail on Wish, then it arrived at her home, she noticed that it was latex, which she was very allergic to. She reported it to Wish, got all her money back and the seller was kicked of Wish.

[HaleyTremont]

Hi guys !

Can you tell me if this designs are bootleg :

43844 43845

I see this a lot on AliExpress and I can't find them anywhere else. For the second, the quality seems very good on people pictures (not pixelated like the FinFun or FinFolk bootleg)

[Nerdmaid Faith]

The fluke on the section picture seems to be a ripoff of finfolks lotus fluke. The first one is fine though, you just might have a bit of an issue swimming with it

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[Mermaid_Izzy]

Hi guys !

Can you tell me if this designs are bootleg :

43844 43845

I see this a lot on AliExpress and I can't find them anywhere else. For the second, the quality seems very good on people pictures (not pixelated like the FinFun or FinFolk bootleg)

I agree with Nerdmaid Faith, the first tail looks like a death trap to swim in.


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