Justice for Artists: How Daniel Lachman Helps Creatives Fight Art Theft

🎧 Listen to this episode: Apple Podcasts

Have you ever hesitated to share your art online out of fear that it might be stolen? That fear is real — and it's exactly where Daniel Lachman's journey began. As the founder of Justice for Artists, he went from running a viral Etsy shop to building an organization that has helped nearly 150 artists fight back against art theft and recover revenue that was rightfully theirs.

In this episode of the Art + Audience podcast, Stacie Bloomfield sits down with Daniel to unpack the complex, often invisible world of art theft — and what you can actually do about it.

Stacie, who built Gingiber into a $2M+ art licensing brand, has seen firsthand how her own work gets copied — and registered her copyrights early because of it. This episode will help you do the same.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• justice4artists.com — Justice for Artists: helping creatives fight art theft on contingency with no upfront cost to the artist.
• @justice.for.artists on Instagram — Follow for case victories and practical tips on protecting your work.
• Art Licensing Contract Walkthrough — Stacie's 30-minute video with attorney Jason Aquilino walking through every clause of a real image license agreement.

HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Art Theft Is Bigger Than Most Artists Realize — and More Recoverable

Most artists who've had their work stolen assume the fight isn't worth it. Daniel Lachman built Justice for Artists specifically to remove those barriers.

They work entirely on contingency — meaning they only get paid when there's a settlement. "We've had artists get six-figure settlements for stolen designs," Daniel says. "There's so much money on the table and most artists don't even realize it." Your work has real monetary value — sometimes far more than you've been making from it yourself.

2️⃣ One Viral Product Can Make You a Target Overnight

Daniel's own story starts with Slothzilla — a viral design from his Etsy brand Sharp Shirter that took off and immediately attracted mass counterfeiters. Cease and desist letters didn't help. DMCA takedowns disappeared as fast as he filed them.

The more successful your art becomes, the more valuable it is to steal. Copyright registration before your work gets traction is the most powerful thing you can do — and it's $65 per registration at the US Copyright Office.

3️⃣ You Don't Need a Law Degree — But You Do Need Evidence

Daniel's practical advice: Screenshot the counterfeit listing before it vanishes. Make a test purchase — it's key evidence. Don't post a public rant online that tips off the counterfeiter. Gather your proof quietly and reach out to Justice for Artists first.

4️⃣ Don't Let Fear of Theft Keep You from Posting

"My audience has become my eyes and ears," Stacie says. "People tag me when they see my work being copied — and because I've registered my copyrights, I can take action." Visibility is protection. A community that recognizes your style is far more valuable than hiding it.

5️⃣ Your Art Is Worth More Than You Think — Own That

One of Daniel's most jaw-dropping stories involves tracking down the creator of a viral frog pin and getting her a life-changing settlement for a tiny green frog illustration.

The art you make every day has real financial value that someone, somewhere, is already trying to exploit. As Stacie says: "Artists don't always realize how much their work is worth until someone else is making millions off of it."

MORE FROM DANIEL LACHMAN

🌐 Website: justice4artists.com
📸 Instagram: @justice.for.artists

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Frequently Asked Questions About Protecting Your Art from Theft

How do I protect my art from being stolen and copied online?

Register your copyrights with the US Copyright Office before your work gains traction — registration gives you legal standing to pursue statutory damages, which is where real settlement money comes from. Beyond that, watermark portfolio images, document your creative process, and build an audience that recognizes your work. Your community becomes your first line of defense.

What should I do if I find my art being sold without my permission?

Screenshot everything immediately — listings disappear fast. Make a test purchase of the counterfeit item if you can; it's powerful evidence. Don't post publicly about it yet. Then reach out to Justice for Artists (justice4artists.com), who work on contingency with no upfront legal costs.

Is it worth fighting art theft if my work is being copied overseas?

Yes — especially if your work is being sold on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or Redbubble, where US law applies regardless of where the seller is based. Justice for Artists has secured six-figure settlements in cases that looked hopeless. The contingency model means the risk is theirs, not yours.

About Stacie Bloomfield

Stacie Bloomfield is the founder of Gingiber, a surface pattern design and art licensing brand she built from her dining room table into a multimillion-dollar business with products in 1,400+ brick-and-mortar stores. She has earned $500K+ through art licensing and has taught 5,000+ artists how to build real income from their work.

She is the author of The Artist's Side Hustle (Hay House), a Moda fabric designer, and the host of the Art + Audience podcast. Her programs — including Side Hustle Society, Leverage Your Art, and Art Licensing Pitch Playbook — help artists at every stage turn their creativity into consistent income.