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@PSColdFire/Twitter
Here is the illustration taken from Jödicke's Instagram page.
Attributions for the artist were nowhere to be found on Carter's tweet promoting his line of hoodies.
On Saturday, Jödicke tweeted his frustration in the hopes that the "Fool's Gold" singer would receive the message loud and clear.
"Hey @aaroncarter .. You are using my artwork to promote your merchandise."
"I have not given you permission to do so. My art is being commercially exploited by people on a daily basis."
"We artists have rights, too! Iˋd really appreciate if you could retweet this so he'll see it."
Hey @aaroncarter .. You are using my artwork to promote your merchandise. I have not given you permission to do so.… https://t.co/VjNqFIETrC— Jonas Jödicke (@Jonas Jödicke)1579307404.0
This was not the first time Jödicke's artwork was used illegally.
I‘ve had Madonna use my art in the past, photoshopping her face into one of my paintings. I am so fed up with peopl… https://t.co/SnegPei8ey— Jonas Jödicke (@Jonas Jödicke)1579307657.0
Celebs like @aaroncarter should set an example, especially since he’s also from a creative background and knows cop… https://t.co/UvXaNARyYT— Jonas Jödicke (@Jonas Jödicke)1579307876.0
Carter responded to the artist's complaint.
Spoiler alert: it was not an apology.
The child star turned "rapper with a bad boy reputation" exposed his wrongdoing and proceeded to attack the artist in this cringeworthy tweet.
"You should've taken it as a compliment d**k a fan of MINE sent this to me."
"oh here they go again, the answer is NO this image has been made public and im using it to promote my clothing line aaroncarter.com guess I'll see you in small claims court F***ERY"
Here is a screenshot, just in case the tweet gets deleted.
@aaroncarter/Twitter
To be clear, the artwork is tagged to prevent unauthorized usage, as opposed to it being "made public" as Carter asserted.
@JoJoesArt @TheQuartering @aaroncarter For people asking "why dont you just add a watermark" I present to you.... https://t.co/GCSFwhVP1o— GrumpyDeku (@GrumpyDeku)1579334207.0
The mark appears in the black lion's mane.
artist's mark@DekuGrumpy/Twitter
@rawrxrandilynn @JoJoesArt @aaroncarter Guess what? https://t.co/9wAYTYzObP— Reshiramdude (@Reshiramdude)1579367823.0
People called out the 32-year-old performer for his thievery.
@aaroncarter it's still STEALING.— 💫 starr💫 (@💫 starr💫)1579307660.0
@aaroncarter Look, I know things have been rough for you. However, another artist requesting compensation is not an… https://t.co/j7Ra3A3JWZ— nakanoart (@nakanoart)1579320846.0
@aaroncarter (2/2) Even if a fan made this for you and you weren't aware it was stolen, just apologize and move on.… https://t.co/n4ThJanxzM— nakanoart (@nakanoart)1579320984.0
Jödicke said he was willing to civilly resolve the situation had the singer personally responded.
Or not been a jerk about it.
And to make this clear: I would have been happy to handle this issue differently, had he reached out privately afte… https://t.co/VgIqlUP0O0— Jonas Jödicke (@Jonas Jödicke)1579354186.0
The huge irony here is if Aaron Carter had any substance his caption "Two lions at war can reach and understanding"… https://t.co/H2R3AK8m8Z— Hold My Beaker (@Hold My Beaker)1579395373.0
Twitter came to defend the young German artist and encouraged him to take legal action.
@cassavey @JoJoesArt @aaroncarter This is a lawsuit. He admitted willful infringement. He’s gonna pay big time in court.— John’s Laughter (@John’s Laughter)1579366175.0
@chrysisi @JoJoesArt Boy. Guess he wont care if we use all of his work for our own merch advertising, too! Since it… https://t.co/0tULqOA8JA— Jellicle Kap (@Jellicle Kap)1579308977.0
@JoJoesArt @aaroncarter You can report him for stealing your artwork if that helps too! Twitter has a policy about… https://t.co/E7jzluUbCj— SweetMotherOfStop (@SweetMotherOfStop)1579344587.0
@JoJoesArt @aaroncarter Take him to court. As long as you have evidence the photo is yours you'll win easily.— 🏳️⚧️ Shorkomeister 🏳️🌈 (@🏳️⚧️ Shorkomeister 🏳️🌈)1579309908.0
Carter's interpretation of the word 'compliment' was shredded.
@ViperVibe2 @aaroncarter He said "you should've taken it as a compliment"! Let me ask my landlord if he accepts com… https://t.co/4EX5txycjR— JustJess Girardo (@JustJess Girardo)1579414915.0
@ivyeatslambs @aaroncarter Saying "you should've taken it as a compliment" was especially egregious. Like the artis… https://t.co/VuBTtGID4l— TC 🇺🇸 (@TC 🇺🇸)1579396866.0
@JoJoesArt @aaroncarter This is the saddest way to ever realize that Aaron Carter is still around. Sweetie no what you doing.— Harli Belle, you know, from TV? (@Harli Belle, you know, from TV?)1579316135.0
@aaroncarter 'I stole your work to monetize it for my personal gain, you should take it as a compliment'. Wow, tha… https://t.co/u5cJSQXcYJ— Ross O'Donovan (@Ross O'Donovan)1579392821.0
@aaroncarter Check out my song "Aaron's Party" that I just released. A fan gave it to me. Besides, the song has bee… https://t.co/n5QfoM6MCd— Charles Entertainment Taylor (@Charles Entertainment Taylor)1579312837.0
While it is unknown if the digital artist plans to take Carter to court, people took him for a fool.
@JoJoesArt @aaroncarter @aaroncarter don’t worry about these pesky artists saying you stole art, nevermind them! Yo… https://t.co/lFpWZy7U4j— 🔱REYMENN🔱 (@🔱REYMENN🔱)1579370263.0
@JoJoesArt @aaroncarter Go easy on @aaroncarter. He’s doesn’t know what it’s like to have his art stolen by anothe… https://t.co/DewVbHFGAQ— JΛKΣ (@JΛKΣ)1579369704.0
Jödicke disclosed to Forbes how he found out about his artwork being ripped off by Carter.
"I first learned of Aaron's use of my artwork from a follower on Twitter. They reached out via direct message telling me about Aaron's tweet in which he had posted my artwork to promote his new merchandise shop."
Here is a rare picture of Jödicke from Instagram.
He continued explaining why it was important for him to take on the problematic singer/rapper:
"He did not mention me as the original artist and had not asked for permission in beforehand. That's why I called him out in a tweet, in a polite way, to inform him that I was not alright with him using my art in that way."
"I think celebrities like Aaron Carter have a lot of responsibility. Many people look up to stars as role models, and if they treat artists like he has in his tweet, others might follow."
Jödicke suggested that high profile people should "be at the forefront of teaching the masses about lawful and appropriate conduct."
He also commented on how the work of lesser known artists are too often exploited by self-entitled celebrities.
"They have enough money to pay smaller creators for their services, but all too often, they feel like they don't have to, because of their status. And all too often the 'small ones' back down."