Before commenting your opinions on the situation I ask that you please read and review ALL of the information available. I've included links in my description. Thank you!
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you took the time and energy to make this video. And, it's not even a bashing video, which makes it even more so people will watch it all the way through without a bias. I never thought I would have been put into this position with these people. I've known them for 5 years and worked with them for over 3 of those years. I still haven't fully come to terms with what happened. My main point about coming out with my story is to warn other artists that would see working for them as an opportunity. It had to be a little personal, as to show what they are willing to do to their top designer and "friend". But, all in all, it was a warning. He didn't have to breach our NDA in order to reveal more details. (Which, I will note, I probably could have gotten sued if I revealed the information that he did willy nilly.) Anyway, such a great video, Courtney! You are a rare gem in this vast ocean, and I hope the stars align where we can work together some day!
Mertailor is not equipped to handle PR situations; we've seen it time and time again. He could have just left things as they were after his initial post and the community probably would have had some discussion and possibly a few would have chosen to not support the company anymore after Sypheria's 2nd post but he just Made It Worse. It is a pity as I really love the tails that she designed (especially the purple dolphin tail I have) but I'm glad that she chose to stand up for herself and set a great example for artists in this community. Fin-tastic video as always!
Thank you so much for approaching yet another uncomfortable topic with class, research, and for providing all the links so we can educate ourselves. Appreciate you, Mama C.
I was super excited to see you made a video about this!! I can definately see that both sides are hurt and i think this should have been handled better, however i really hope that both sides can come to a rest without any tension. I personally entered this community only recently about a year ago so im not aware of the previous Mertailor drama but i always enjoyed the tail designs with owning 2 tails from him already, however i feel really bad for mermaid Syphira and i serously hope things get resolved! Thank you Courtney for this video! < 33
I appreciate the validation of my feelings about Mertailor since I found him on FB in college and begged for a job while my marriage was falling apart. 26 and desperate to rebuild my life with my true lifelong passion and he was still barely in business and beyond cruel.
I'm so sad this all happened too, I hope the digital artist is ok, her asking price for the rights to use her work wasn't even that high considering how many tails he has sold using her work anyway (and could have kept selling). It would have been better to pay her anyway, now he's looking really bad as a company and making me wonder what's going on with the workers he does have under his nda agreements.
I feel so bad for mermaid Syphira and I hope this can be sorted out. As always a huge thanks to you for educating us on literally all of the dramas this community goes through. And I certainly hope that at least other artists will side with mermaid Syphira after watching this. Also huge shoutout for making easy to watch, entertaining and informational videos. Side note, I was about to call it a day and finish working on a design tomorrow but then I saw this and listening to it while I worked gave me the motivation to finish tonight so thanks so much! ❤❤❤
You really did a good job at exposing the issue while remaining very neutral 👏🏻. I personally wonder why it had to go public. Why did Eric need to tell everyone about it? Syphira was just defending her side, so it's understandable, but Mertailor's way of handling it reminds me of a high school mean girl trying to discredit her classmate about something.
Just got into the mermaid community. Mertailor seems to have some great products but there seem to just be drama and negativity about this company unfortunately.
Not gonna lie I was pretty worried seeing this title because last week I bought my first Mertailor tail ever and it is about to come in today or tomorrow. and had no knowledge of what was going on. With that said, I support both sides and let me explain why. I do get where Mertailor is coming from. The scales are his sculpt that have been altered in photoshop to make them work for printed tails. I myself have taken a photo and then turned that photo into a fabric tail scale sheet. It takes skill to do both. Unfortunately there are so many things that go into running a business that a contract for artists, while it might sound silly to some, is very important to avoid issues which was mentioned in this video really well. I feel for Mermaid Syphira because as a graphic designer I’ve been in a similar situation. I was a magazine editor and artist for an association and they had nothing in writing. I thought I was to make the same amount as the previous editor, so each issue I sent a bill to the treasurer for that amount. Eventually other board members found out how much I was making and said I wasn’t making a lower rate, which is what I was supposed to be making. I had no idea. They apparently told me only once in an initial phone convo how much I would be making, but I don’t remember that and didn’t have it in writing. Needless to say they tried to say I stole money and tried to say I owed them, to which I said their treasurer should have known my correct pay. So I quit and they demanded all my original magazine files and art files, but at that point to avoid more drama I stupidly handed them over for free. Anyways, that is when I learned that contracts and physical copies of this info are so important. I did nothing wrong but the poor communication and records caused so much drama. Anyways back to Mermaid Syphira - I was concerned from the beginning for the artists doing commission work for Mertailor. Just because I know the amount of work involved - I have made my own sublimated tail and yes the design file is HUGE. That is so much work to make for someone else to sell. I personally would just try to make and sell my own tails before working for someone else. Not saying Mertailor doesn’t deserve graphic designers, he does he is a business that needs them and It’s cool to get to make tail designs for a living (hopefully for a living wage). I work for a screen printing business as a graphic designer. I get it. However no one really understands or values what I do at work. The owner himself ignored me when I said he could sit with us for at least an hour to see what we do to understand why it is important and time consuming. Graphic designers are valid, important, and often underpaid. Overall I think clear contracts will be helpful, as well as owners understanding the process a little better. The artist themself should try to avoid undercutting. I’m not saying Mertailor doesn’t care I’m sure he does, but he definitely needs to draw up a contract for current and future artists. A VERY important note, Mermaid Syphira even said in her video praises about Mertailor and how his tails are great, good quality, and how she is fine if people continue to buy his tails. I’m still very excited about my tail coming in today or tomorrow! I just want to say that I feel for both sides, and I support both. I just hope it all gets settled fairly. Thanks Mermaid Syphira for the abalone tail design if you are behind that one (that is what I bought) or at least the scale template, also thank you Mertailor team for cranking out my tail so quickly. I ordered that thing March 17 and here it is about to be in on March 26-27. Wow! It means so much to me because my mermaid friend is moving to NY soon and I wanted a fancy new tail to have some last swims with her in. Both Mermaid Syphira and Mertailor have made me very happy so I truly wish you all the best!
Before I even watch, I'm going into this with a certain distaste for Mertailor after the way he spoke about Mermaid Sparkle in "Merpeople." Let's see how this affects that.
Truly disappointed in Mertailor, the designs they sell are true works of art. I can't wait to see how this all unfolds and hope that mermaid Syphira is able to continue to design whether that be solo or for a new company as her designs are some of the best.
When I purchased logos and banners from a designer for my shop I purchased the copyright too. So now I can use the assets for keychains, stickers and shirts that I want to sell. Same when I had mascots created. Like the artist didn't own my logo or my OCs but they owned the art they made for me until I purchased the copyright. I could have taken the logo and designs to another artist at anytime since they are mine but I couldn't take the art created for me and sell it without getting the artist's permission. It seems like common sense 🤷🏻♀️ I guess it really comes down to if she signed a contract giving away the copyright... But it doesn't seem like that happened
I'm not well versed in business, but from what I do understand, if she is an independent contractor as Mertailor admits, then the templates belong to her. If she was an employee of Mertailor then they belong to Mertailor, BUT it says in Mertailor's comment, she wasn't an employee, just an authorized designer. Authorized to design is not the same as an employee. By the way, considering how much Mertailor has already made from Mermaid Syphira's designs & the prices of Mermaid tails the $3500 she was willing to sell the copyrights for, was dirt cheap. She should have asked for much more. Also, this post is exactly why I still feel you would be the perfect Merson to start a Mermaid community news channel. Please take into consideration, how many Mers were waiting for and counting on you posting something about this. Love you Courtney Mermaid.
@Courtney Mermaid You are a fair and trusted source that looks into both sides of any story. People gravitate to that integrity because there's so little of it to be found these days.
Sorry to post again. Just wanted to point out that Syphira said she made Mertailor’s aquarium logo and he now has a new aquarium logo on his website. Not trying to stir anything up just pointing out that he has replaced it.
Obviously I hope she gets the artistic credit she really deserves. The only thing I see might be an issue is that he might have a slight claim in court because they were all sold under the mertailor name for a long time. And for me watching the mermaid community and looking into his drama at one time I just see him as very impulsive and just like “see I can make my own scales if I wanted too”
This whole situation has sucked so bad… as someone who was eager to get a Mertailor tail, because I freaking love their selection of green tails, I was super interested in how things were gonna look moving forward
Honestly i don't think either party is the "bad guy" or the "good guy". I feel they both missed a few key things with hiring someone for art and being employed
not me after all this not feeling tab bit guilty to be painting over one of the first whimsy tail designs.. maybe I'm just a salty fish. but this whole situation is just sad and like you has me down in the sea dumps over something that could've handled so differently, I feel like the community keep getting these lil fractures in it 😕 . I'm hoping that we learn from this mend and grow .
Candy has had some choice insults for me over the past few years. My personal favorite, being, “maybe you’re too high to understand what I am saying.” I got blocked when I demanded an explanation on why she thought it was okay to accuse me of being an addict.
This whole situation was the final straw for me… selling off and doing a full overhaul on my mermaid closet now. I love the Mertailor stuff I have now, but I feel weird wearing it and frankly it’s just impractical for the dry corporate gigs my company does. He’s just handled this and past issues so poorly, and I’m done.
I don't think a proper judgement could be made without seeing all of the facts in an actual court case. There is waaayyy more going on behind the scenes for sure. And none of this had to be put out in "public statements" on social media. That's just starting a fire for keyboard warrior support on purpose. They could've just said "this artist no longer works for us" on the website, even the artist's post of being no longer affiliated could've been more generic. But I get it, she's upset, and probably for dang good reason. The scale change seems iffy imo because I think it's a "I'm right, BUT I'll be the bigger person and change the scales to make you feel better" move. It just seems a little Tom Petty to me (sorry Tom, rip, your last name just fits too perfectly). Let this be a lesson to artists signing up with companies. This whole things reminds me of Mr. Walt Disney actually. He made his own company, then had to re-vamp all of his contracts. His other character Oswald Rabbit from 1923 got poached under a partnership contract with the film distributor. He was of course upset, so after dropping that partnership, he started over again and made Mickey Mouse instead. No strings attached. It's an interesting story, look it up if anyone has time.
im honestly severely disappointed with mertailor because of their out look on things it really does seam like they think they should be the only ones making tails and monofins. They were my first choice for when i get my first tail but now i dont think i will due to all the weirdness and i honestly doubt the artist behind his brand are getting what they deserve. im not a professional artist but for the rights to the files 3500 seems like a really fair if not cheap price especially since they will continue to profit off of them. And the new scales make me not want to buy the tales regardless i liked their tails for the unique and somewhat realistic look the new scales look almost obviously fake? idk. Id like to thank you for both videos you have made this one and the one about the monofins its made me think about where i should be putting my money as a beginner and hopefully one day professional mermaid. You always look at both sides and present the facts separate from your opinions and i really do apricate that as someone who is not active amongst the community it always me to know what's going on without an unfair bias.
Interestingly enough too I have actually never followed Mertailor, shame on you Mertailor very sad you have the nerve and audacity to do that to this artist who has done so much for the mer community
I'm not going to lie, I fully agree with your opinion of Eric/Mertailor. The more I hear about him, the more I want to stay far far away from his company
I'm just watching this. Whether Courtney Mermaid is a lawyer or not, her advice is SOUND. If you work for someone or have any kind of serious agreement, get SOME KIND of contract. I know this may feel like "you don't trust me/I don't trust you," but good contracts spell out the legal obligations and expectations of both parties. Even if you're going into business with a family member or close friend (maybe ESPECIALLY one of these), get something in writing. I've seen families split up and dear friendships destroyed because people went into business with one person having far different expectations than the other. For instance, one partner might think the business is more of a fun sideline or hobby while the other owner considers it a serious, 40++++ hour a week business with expected growth. Of course, sometimes the problem comes when one side decides (or needs to) get out of the business quickly, leaving the other person with fewer hands and more bills. A few pieces of paper, and a little forethought, can be sure everyone is at least sort-of on the same page.
🧜🏻♂️🌊🐬 I agree they should have gone there separate ways and they should have had a contract if not the men everyone involved should hold their tongues and took it as a learning experience because everyone has those learning experience moments my personal opinion is that Mertailor didn’t want to risk their prestige so they involved the attorney … but they cost money and they in the end changed their scales design so was it even worth waisting sand dollars on the attorney in the first place?! No hate to anyone here just an observation of the situation 😃
PS: they should agree a royalty or a share of the business her design bring them for a lifetime and this would have been better handled. Saphyra get's a share of the profit made by her scales, they still make money, everyone is happy...
No contracts stipulating the templates belong to them = template don't belong to them! No contract stipulating that those template are exclusive to Mertailor, again they are still hers. They are still Syphira's unless they purchase it and then have the right to then trademark them. Templates still belong to her. They should agreed 3500 for 90 files it's super cheap... That's so silly really...
I'm 90% sure they're sent out to be manufactured and are not made by him. I figure this in the fine print for shipping and manufacturing. It's a small business running like a big company with a single person handling customer service and PR. I think he makes and paints his own SILICONE tails, but I doubt he has much of a hand in the fabric tails. Things don't add up. But it's entirely speculation. This was a very long ramble. But just my thoughts.
Do you know what the current template for the Guppy scales are? I like to credit the makers in my posts and I just received a Merttlejuice tail but in the Guppy style. And these scales don't look like the new one.
Colour me ignorant, but if Mertailor hires a designer to design a tail print and the designs are sold to Mertailor… then they’re the property of Mertailor. Not the designer. It doesn’t matter if that particular design was used prior to the business arrangement. As soon as the design was sold, meaning the artist was remunerated for works rendered … then it’s now the property of Mertailor. There’s little hope here… UNLESS it was licensed by the designer. Does that make sense to anyone?
This is so disappointing, I've been fawning over mertailors tails for 2 years now and the extent of the Facebook post and absolute fit thrown, I'll never purchase from them as long as Eric's name is at the head of the company. I'm really sad
All of this is hearsay. Unfortunately we can't see paperwork or legal documents. I don't know what the craze of going online with legal stuff. Hope things come out for best. Just hope both realize that everything put online will be used in court. So hopefully there was no contracts or she will be in a lot of trouble legaly. Although I don't feel like mertailor engaged this as she posted about the legal stuff first instead of letting it work out and then posting outcome. One thing I learn after an accident I had. NEVER post thing relating to any case. No matter how frustrated or small it may seem. As it can go against you fast. Also new patterns again LEGAL. once something becomes in court right or wrong. You take down things in question as it is legaly on bord. You pull it then if win you bring it back if not yes. I'm sure if they kept the scales people would have been against them for keeping scales. It's dammed if you do dammed if you don't
Before commenting your opinions on the situation I ask that you please read and review ALL of the information available. I've included links in my description. Thank you!
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you took the time and energy to make this video. And, it's not even a bashing video, which makes it even more so people will watch it all the way through without a bias.
I never thought I would have been put into this position with these people. I've known them for 5 years and worked with them for over 3 of those years. I still haven't fully come to terms with what happened. My main point about coming out with my story is to warn other artists that would see working for them as an opportunity. It had to be a little personal, as to show what they are willing to do to their top designer and "friend". But, all in all, it was a warning. He didn't have to breach our NDA in order to reveal more details. (Which, I will note, I probably could have gotten sued if I revealed the information that he did willy nilly.)
Anyway, such a great video, Courtney! You are a rare gem in this vast ocean, and I hope the stars align where we can work together some day!
You handled this SO professionally and with so much respect - I seriously applaud you!! 👏👏
Thank youuu!!
Mertailor is not equipped to handle PR situations; we've seen it time and time again. He could have just left things as they were after his initial post and the community probably would have had some discussion and possibly a few would have chosen to not support the company anymore after Sypheria's 2nd post but he just Made It Worse. It is a pity as I really love the tails that she designed (especially the purple dolphin tail I have) but I'm glad that she chose to stand up for herself and set a great example for artists in this community. Fin-tastic video as always!
My jaw droped on the floor when syphira said that she only asked $3500 and he is making such a fuss about it??? Those kost much more than $3500.
Right? It seems like a small amount for something they would be using over and over
This is why I love you. You ask people to think and use their brains ❤
Thank you so much for approaching yet another uncomfortable topic with class, research, and for providing all the links so we can educate ourselves. Appreciate you, Mama C.
Thank you so much for watching! ❤️❤️
I was super excited to see you made a video about this!! I can definately see that both sides are hurt and i think this should have been handled better, however i really hope that both sides can come to a rest without any tension. I personally entered this community only recently about a year ago so im not aware of the previous Mertailor drama but i always enjoyed the tail designs with owning 2 tails from him already, however i feel really bad for mermaid Syphira and i serously hope things get resolved! Thank you Courtney for this video! < 33
My god, I love how accessible your videos are for the visually impaired. You're amazing.
❤️❤️❤️
I appreciate the validation of my feelings about Mertailor since I found him on FB in college and begged for a job while my marriage was falling apart. 26 and desperate to rebuild my life with my true lifelong passion and he was still barely in business and beyond cruel.
Looking forward to how this unfolds. Please keep us posted with any updates!
I will do my best!
I'm so sad this all happened too, I hope the digital artist is ok, her asking price for the rights to use her work wasn't even that high considering how many tails he has sold using her work anyway (and could have kept selling). It would have been better to pay her anyway, now he's looking really bad as a company and making me wonder what's going on with the workers he does have under his nda agreements.
I feel so bad for mermaid Syphira and I hope this can be sorted out. As always a huge thanks to you for educating us on literally all of the dramas this community goes through. And I certainly hope that at least other artists will side with mermaid Syphira after watching this. Also huge shoutout for making easy to watch, entertaining and informational videos. Side note, I was about to call it a day and finish working on a design tomorrow but then I saw this and listening to it while I worked gave me the motivation to finish tonight so thanks so much! ❤❤❤
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
You really did a good job at exposing the issue while remaining very neutral 👏🏻. I personally wonder why it had to go public. Why did Eric need to tell everyone about it? Syphira was just defending her side, so it's understandable, but Mertailor's way of handling it reminds me of a high school mean girl trying to discredit her classmate about something.
Just got into the mermaid community. Mertailor seems to have some great products but there seem to just be drama and negativity about this company unfortunately.
Great job on the editing
Thank you!
Not gonna lie I was pretty worried seeing this title because last week I bought my first Mertailor tail ever and it is about to come in today or tomorrow. and had no knowledge of what was going on. With that said, I support both sides and let me explain why.
I do get where Mertailor is coming from. The scales are his sculpt that have been altered in photoshop to make them work for printed tails. I myself have taken a photo and then turned that photo into a fabric tail scale sheet. It takes skill to do both. Unfortunately there are so many things that go into running a business that a contract for artists, while it might sound silly to some, is very important to avoid issues which was mentioned in this video really well.
I feel for Mermaid Syphira because as a graphic designer I’ve been in a similar situation. I was a magazine editor and artist for an association and they had nothing in writing. I thought I was to make the same amount as the previous editor, so each issue I sent a bill to the treasurer for that amount. Eventually other board members found out how much I was making and said I wasn’t making a lower rate, which is what I was supposed to be making. I had no idea. They apparently told me only once in an initial phone convo how much I would be making, but I don’t remember that and didn’t have it in writing. Needless to say they tried to say I stole money and tried to say I owed them, to which I said their treasurer should have known my correct pay. So I quit and they demanded all my original magazine files and art files, but at that point to avoid more drama I stupidly handed them over for free. Anyways, that is when I learned that contracts and physical copies of this info are so important. I did nothing wrong but the poor communication and records caused so much drama.
Anyways back to Mermaid Syphira - I was concerned from the beginning for the artists doing commission work for Mertailor. Just because I know the amount of work involved - I have made my own sublimated tail and yes the design file is HUGE. That is so much work to make for someone else to sell. I personally would just try to make and sell my own tails before working for someone else. Not saying Mertailor doesn’t deserve graphic designers, he does he is a business that needs them and It’s cool to get to make tail designs for a living (hopefully for a living wage). I work for a screen printing business as a graphic designer. I get it. However no one really understands or values what I do at work. The owner himself ignored me when I said he could sit with us for at least an hour to see what we do to understand why it is important and time consuming. Graphic designers are valid, important, and often underpaid. Overall I think clear contracts will be helpful, as well as owners understanding the process a little better. The artist themself should try to avoid undercutting. I’m not saying Mertailor doesn’t care I’m sure he does, but he definitely needs to draw up a contract for current and future artists.
A VERY important note, Mermaid Syphira even said in her video praises about Mertailor and how his tails are great, good quality, and how she is fine if people continue to buy his tails. I’m still very excited about my tail coming in today or tomorrow! I just want to say that I feel for both sides, and I support both. I just hope it all gets settled fairly.
Thanks Mermaid Syphira for the abalone tail design if you are behind that one (that is what I bought) or at least the scale template, also thank you Mertailor team for cranking out my tail so quickly. I ordered that thing March 17 and here it is about to be in on March 26-27. Wow! It means so much to me because my mermaid friend is moving to NY soon and I wanted a fancy new tail to have some last swims with her in. Both Mermaid Syphira and Mertailor have made me very happy so I truly wish you all the best!
Before I even watch, I'm going into this with a certain distaste for Mertailor after the way he spoke about Mermaid Sparkle in "Merpeople." Let's see how this affects that.
Truly disappointed in Mertailor, the designs they sell are true works of art. I can't wait to see how this all unfolds and hope that mermaid Syphira is able to continue to design whether that be solo or for a new company as her designs are some of the best.
When I purchased logos and banners from a designer for my shop I purchased the copyright too. So now I can use the assets for keychains, stickers and shirts that I want to sell.
Same when I had mascots created.
Like the artist didn't own my logo or my OCs but they owned the art they made for me until I purchased the copyright.
I could have taken the logo and designs to another artist at anytime since they are mine but I couldn't take the art created for me and sell it without getting the artist's permission.
It seems like common sense 🤷🏻♀️ I guess it really comes down to if she signed a contract giving away the copyright... But it doesn't seem like that happened
I'm not well versed in business, but from what I do understand, if she is an independent contractor as Mertailor admits, then the templates belong to her. If she was an employee of Mertailor then they belong to Mertailor, BUT it says in Mertailor's comment, she wasn't an employee, just an authorized designer. Authorized to design is not the same as an employee. By the way, considering how much Mertailor has already made from Mermaid Syphira's designs & the prices of Mermaid tails the $3500 she was willing to sell the copyrights for, was dirt cheap. She should have asked for much more.
Also, this post is exactly why I still feel you would be the perfect Merson to start a Mermaid community news channel.
Please take into consideration, how many Mers were waiting for and counting on you posting something about this.
Love you Courtney Mermaid.
Thank you so much! 💖 I really do enjoy doing my deep dives into community news and this one hit really close to home.
@Courtney Mermaid You are a fair and trusted source that looks into both sides of any story. People gravitate to that integrity because there's so little of it to be found these days.
YOU ARE DEFINITELY THE BEST IN THE MERMAID JUSTICE LEAGUE ❤
ABSOLUTELY KNOW THAT YOU GET TO THE TRUTH ABOUT EVERYTHING
I do my best! Thank you! ❤️
the new scale shape looks like the original scale shape from the EARLY tails
Sorry to post again. Just wanted to point out that Syphira said she made Mertailor’s aquarium logo and he now has a new aquarium logo on his website. Not trying to stir anything up just pointing out that he has replaced it.
Obviously I hope she gets the artistic credit she really deserves. The only thing I see might be an issue is that he might have a slight claim in court because they were all sold under the mertailor name for a long time. And for me watching the mermaid community and looking into his drama at one time I just see him as very impulsive and just like “see I can make my own scales if I wanted too”
OMG, she only charged him $3,500 for over 90 files! Shameful how she’s getting ripped off😢. Her designs are beautiful!❤
This whole situation has sucked so bad… as someone who was eager to get a Mertailor tail, because I freaking love their selection of green tails, I was super interested in how things were gonna look moving forward
Honestly i don't think either party is the "bad guy" or the "good guy". I feel they both missed a few key things with hiring someone for art and being employed
Mmhmmm. I agree.
not me after all this not feeling tab bit guilty to be painting over one of the first whimsy tail designs.. maybe I'm just a salty fish. but this whole situation is just sad and like you has me down in the sea dumps over something that could've handled so differently, I feel like the community keep getting these lil fractures in it 😕 . I'm hoping that we learn from this mend and grow .
Candy has had some choice insults for me over the past few years.
My personal favorite, being, “maybe you’re too high to understand what I am saying.”
I got blocked when I demanded an explanation on why she thought it was okay to accuse me of being an addict.
This whole situation was the final straw for me… selling off and doing a full overhaul on my mermaid closet now. I love the Mertailor stuff I have now, but I feel weird wearing it and frankly it’s just impractical for the dry corporate gigs my company does. He’s just handled this and past issues so poorly, and I’m done.
I don't think a proper judgement could be made without seeing all of the facts in an actual court case. There is waaayyy more going on behind the scenes for sure. And none of this had to be put out in "public statements" on social media. That's just starting a fire for keyboard warrior support on purpose. They could've just said "this artist no longer works for us" on the website, even the artist's post of being no longer affiliated could've been more generic. But I get it, she's upset, and probably for dang good reason. The scale change seems iffy imo because I think it's a "I'm right, BUT I'll be the bigger person and change the scales to make you feel better" move. It just seems a little Tom Petty to me (sorry Tom, rip, your last name just fits too perfectly). Let this be a lesson to artists signing up with companies. This whole things reminds me of Mr. Walt Disney actually. He made his own company, then had to re-vamp all of his contracts. His other character Oswald Rabbit from 1923 got poached under a partnership contract with the film distributor. He was of course upset, so after dropping that partnership, he started over again and made Mickey Mouse instead. No strings attached. It's an interesting story, look it up if anyone has time.
im honestly severely disappointed with mertailor because of their out look on things it really does seam like they think they should be the only ones making tails and monofins. They were my first choice for when i get my first tail but now i dont think i will due to all the weirdness and i honestly doubt the artist behind his brand are getting what they deserve. im not a professional artist but for the rights to the files 3500 seems like a really fair if not cheap price especially since they will continue to profit off of them. And the new scales make me not want to buy the tales regardless i liked their tails for the unique and somewhat realistic look the new scales look almost obviously fake? idk. Id like to thank you for both videos you have made this one and the one about the monofins its made me think about where i should be putting my money as a beginner and hopefully one day professional mermaid. You always look at both sides and present the facts separate from your opinions and i really do apricate that as someone who is not active amongst the community it always me to know what's going on without an unfair bias.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that you find my content helpful! ❤️
Interestingly enough too I have actually never followed Mertailor, shame on you Mertailor very sad you have the nerve and audacity to do that to this artist who has done so much for the mer community
I'm not going to lie, I fully agree with your opinion of Eric/Mertailor. The more I hear about him, the more I want to stay far far away from his company
is there anyone who makes tails for the fantasea fins? ive got one and it makes me a little uncomfortable to buy from mertailor anymore
Nereid Studios tails fit the fantasea fins, and some of Moonsong Magics(though her fabric is a bit weird)
I'm just watching this. Whether Courtney Mermaid is a lawyer or not, her advice is SOUND. If you work for someone or have any kind of serious agreement, get SOME KIND of contract. I know this may feel like "you don't trust me/I don't trust you," but good contracts spell out the legal obligations and expectations of both parties. Even if you're going into business with a family member or close friend (maybe ESPECIALLY one of these), get something in writing. I've seen families split up and dear friendships destroyed because people went into business with one person having far different expectations than the other. For instance, one partner might think the business is more of a fun sideline or hobby while the other owner considers it a serious, 40++++ hour a week business with expected growth. Of course, sometimes the problem comes when one side decides (or needs to) get out of the business quickly, leaving the other person with fewer hands and more bills. A few pieces of paper, and a little forethought, can be sure everyone is at least sort-of on the same page.
🧜🏻♂️🌊🐬 I agree they should have gone there separate ways and they should have had a contract if not the men everyone involved should hold their tongues and took it as a learning experience because everyone has those learning experience moments my personal opinion is that Mertailor didn’t want to risk their prestige so they involved the attorney … but they cost money and they in the end changed their scales design so was it even worth waisting sand dollars on the attorney in the first place?! No hate to anyone here just an observation of the situation 😃
Sadly, I'm not surprised that there's another mertailor issue.
PS: they should agree a royalty or a share of the business her design bring them for a lifetime and this would have been better handled. Saphyra get's a share of the profit made by her scales, they still make money, everyone is happy...
You are so special my Friend :) 💖💖💖💖
I still find this crazy ... glad I didn't support this company ... I'm disgusted ...
Excellent video
it so sad, this whole situation
No contracts stipulating the templates belong to them = template don't belong to them! No contract stipulating that those template are exclusive to Mertailor, again they are still hers. They are still Syphira's unless they purchase it and then have the right to then trademark them. Templates still belong to her. They should agreed 3500 for 90 files it's super cheap... That's so silly really...
I'm 90% sure they're sent out to be manufactured and are not made by him. I figure this in the fine print for shipping and manufacturing. It's a small business running like a big company with a single person handling customer service and PR. I think he makes and paints his own SILICONE tails, but I doubt he has much of a hand in the fabric tails. Things don't add up. But it's entirely speculation.
This was a very long ramble. But just my thoughts.
Do you know what the current template for the Guppy scales are? I like to credit the makers in my posts and I just received a Merttlejuice tail but in the Guppy style. And these scales don't look like the new one.
Colour me ignorant, but if Mertailor hires a designer to design a tail print and the designs are sold to Mertailor… then they’re the property of Mertailor. Not the designer. It doesn’t matter if that particular design was used prior to the business arrangement. As soon as the design was sold, meaning the artist was remunerated for works rendered … then it’s now the property of Mertailor. There’s little hope here… UNLESS it was licensed by the designer. Does that make sense to anyone?
I address this in the video. This is not necessarily correct.
Lol I respect you and your opinions... The math is NOT mathing....
This is so disappointing, I've been fawning over mertailors tails for 2 years now and the extent of the Facebook post and absolute fit thrown, I'll never purchase from them as long as Eric's name is at the head of the company. I'm really sad
All of this is hearsay. Unfortunately we can't see paperwork or legal documents. I don't know what the craze of going online with legal stuff. Hope things come out for best. Just hope both realize that everything put online will be used in court. So hopefully there was no contracts or she will be in a lot of trouble legaly.
Although I don't feel like mertailor engaged this as she posted about the legal stuff first instead of letting it work out and then posting outcome. One thing I learn after an accident I had. NEVER post thing relating to any case. No matter how frustrated or small it may seem. As it can go against you fast.
Also new patterns again LEGAL. once something becomes in court right or wrong. You take down things in question as it is legaly on bord. You pull it then if win you bring it back if not yes. I'm sure if they kept the scales people would have been against them for keeping scales. It's dammed if you do dammed if you don't