Farseer by http://tauring.deviantart.com/
For years I have been using this image as a forum avater but its only today (12-03-2010) that I have finially found the owner.
The Images is cut from http://tauring.deviantart.com/art/Warhammer-40K-Farseer-77717710 and is created by Tauring.
So its with great gratatude I would to thank and credit you for you great work.
I hope you will allow me to continue using it now that I can credit you as the rightful copyright .owner
So let me get this right ….. You knowingly used someone else’s work as your own, on the basis you didn’t know whose it was?
Now you have found the owner, will you be offering to pay for its use? What if he/she presents you with an invoice? Will you pay?
Changes in copyright rules is hot topic right now and your admission is proof that the rules need enforcing, not relaxing.
In my defence I spent 6 (failed) months tracking him down before I used this and defaulted to the orphan works ruling.
Now I have found him I have asked request permission to continue using it.
I have not heard a reply so have defaulted to crediting him for his great work.
If I should ever get a response from him I shall cross that bridge when the time comes and write a follow-up.
As a Photographer I have to agree with you but As stated at the time this was classed as orphan works so I continue to wait fro contact from him.