Comic artist accuses David & Goliath owner of plagiarism

The original cartoon from Purple Pussy by Shmorky

Todd Goldman's version

Comic artist Dave "Shmorky" Kelly has accused artist Todd Goldman - owner of popular merchandising company David & Goliath - of plagiarism.^[1] Kelly says Goldman's piece "Dear God Make Everyone Die" (featured in the Gold Digger exhibit at Jack Gallery) was traced from a panel of Kelly's comic, Purple Pussy.

In response, Goldman stated:

I made a judgment error and did not research the background of this particular submission. My intention was not to copy Mr. Kelly.[2]

Goldman also stated his intention to issue a formal apology, which Kelly has received, and to donate the proceeds of the sale of the piece to Kelly or a charity of his choice.

Since Kelly's initial accusation, other web cartoonists have joined in criticizing Goldman, including R. K. Milholland of Something Positive,^[3] Scott Kurtz of PvP,^[4] J. Grant and Mel Hynes of Two Lumps,^[5] Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade,^[6] and Erin Lindsey of Venus Envy^[7]. Roman Dirge noted similarities between his character Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl, and those drawn by Goldman^[8]. Other writers joined in, accusing Goldman of plagiarizing a number of sources. ^[9][10][11] Penny Arcade, PvP, Starslip Crisis, and several others all published strips explicitly referencing plagiarism or Dave Kelly's image, while Fetus-X artist Eric Millikin suggested the possibility of fair use of the image by Goldman.^[12]

Goldman claimed that some of the other accusations are incorrect and reference his own art, stating that in 2006 he sent over 50 cease-and-desist letters to other artists for plagiarizing his work.^[2]

This is the second lawsuit of its type surrounding Todd Goldman's company, David & Goliath, Inc. The clothing company was involved in a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Just Born.^[13] The case was filed on October 30, 2006, and deals with Section 43 of the Lanham Act.

Sources

1. ↑ Holy cow, Todd (Goliath) Goldman ripped me off! - Dave "Shmorky" Kelly, Something Awful forums (April 6, 2007)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Fur flies over squirrel - Las Vegas Sun (12 April, 2007)
3. ↑ Todd Goldman is a hack, throw rocks at him. - R. K. Milholland, Something Positive (April 7, 2007)
4. ↑ Webcomics Controversy - Scott Kurtz, PvP (April 9, 2007)
5. ↑ Two Lumps - J. Grant and Mel Hynes (11 April, 2007)
6. ↑ Lake Franzibald - Jerry Holkins, Penny Arcade (April 11, 2007)
7. ↑ Venus Envy - Erin Lindsey (10 April, 2007)
8. ↑ Kind of a Big Dealio - Roman Dirge (9 April, 2007)
9. ↑ Lying In The Gutters - Rich Johnston (9 April, 2007)
10. ↑ Swipe File: Thievery in the Comic Art Community - The Xenos (April 9, 2007)
11. ↑ Todd Goldman: Art Thief? - Mike Tyndall
12. ↑ Context is everything - Eric Millikin (11 April, 2007)
13. ↑ JUST BORN, INC. v. DAVID & GOLIATH, INC., filed October 30, 2006