^UGH.

rdhull said:

WetDream said:

NikkiAndTheRevolution said:

I feel another PFUnk coming on!

"The only reason ya say my name is to get yo' 15 secs of fame, nobody's even sho' what you do!"

BOOM! Prince is OLD!!

There - fixed it for ya.

[Edited 11/21/12 3:37am]

Good for Prince!! Barbie Dolls no more! More soft teddy bears and less plastic hard

shit!

Sorry to hear Troy. I tried to warn U.

Red said:

cute. Hey has Prince's lawyer called U yet? Is there no copyright infringement associated with this? I mean - I love it - but one has to ask.

Rudhill said: Would he be advertising it here?

Red said:

Sorry to hear Troy. I tried to warn U.

Wow, you must have been the only one.

I think you'll find that Troy gave the subject considerable thought all by himself and came to the conclusion that, by working within certain boundaries (eg. not making additional dolls to sell), he was not infringing on any copyrights.

My friend is an artist and has recreated some very famous pieces of art - the copyright for which is still held by the family of the artist - using photography mixed with digital reproduction and she learnt a lot about artistic copyright in the process. She saw no infringement in this case, according to the current laws, that are deliberately designed to allow and even safeguard artistic freedom.

The fact that Prince sent a C&D does not mean he has any legal grounds to stop Troy - a "Cease & Desist" simply reflects the interpretation of the law by one lawyer (or legal counsel).

But Troy didn't wish to fight Prince, mainly because he's a big fan and presumably also because Prince has enough money to drag something like this through the courts until Troy has nothing left to fight with, regardless of who's actually in the right.

So yes, you, along with every second person, mentioned possible copyright infringement to Troy, but he felt he was going about it the right way.

Even in the 'Controversy' cover, one of the headlines was "Will Prince Approve?" - perfect!

It was always a risk and unfortunately it's come to an end now, but I still think the risk paid off, because we got to see those terrific photos.

don't get a head-ache rollin those eyes Chiquita...law is law and Troy did breach copyright. Rule #1 - no sale/profits from likeness or image of another without authorization. Plain and Simple. But you can play dumb and simple if you want to. It's called keep up or be a victim.

Well, I always found these dolls to be incredibly creepy. If I were Prince, I'd probably send a cease and desist, too.

But I guess it's disappointing to see a creative person's work stifled? For the sake of art...

rdhull said:

2020 said:

Let's hope! Something needs to get this ship back on course!

Please. All he did was shut another Prince-nut mutherfucker down. Pfunk came about because of a semi-movement of sorts.

The most that will probably happen is a line in a song in the future ala "tried to make a doll of me" if that

2020 dont listen to teenyboppers opinions.

Um. No. If you actually look at Troy's work he has been showing and making art for years. ALL kinds of it. this was just another project..,he is hardly a "prince-nut". But I guess you need to be right. Cause you're a Prince-nut motherfucker

If Troy doesn't have a problem with it, why should anyone else? BTW an artist is allowed by law to make images which do not directly apply to the original public figure. For instance, an artist would be allowed to do a painting of someone who is a public figure and not get sued for it because the painter created an original work of art. In Troy's case, he created a doll that resembled Prince and called it by a different name. Thereafter, Troy recreated the image of his own creation. When he was served with a C&D order, he chose not to do what he had every right to do as an artist. He shouldn't be receiving any flack for his decision. I really enjoyed his Le Petite Prince as the tribute it was intended to be. I hope Troy continues to have success as an artist and continues to enjoy listening to Prince's music--even if it is only the old.

Spinlight said:

Well, I always found these dolls to be incredibly creepy. If I were Prince, I'd probably send a cease and desist, too.

But I guess it's disappointing to see a creative person's work stifled? For the sake of art...

Everything is creepy 2 u....

Zannaloaf said:

rdhull said:

Please. All he did was shut another Prince-nut mutherfucker down. Pfunk came about because of a semi-movement of sorts.

The most that will probably happen is a line in a song in the future ala "tried to make a doll of me" if that

2020 dont listen to teenyboppers opinions.

Um. No. If you actually look at Troy's work he has been showing and making art for years. ALL kinds of it. this was just another project..,he is hardly a "prince-nut". But I guess you need to be right. Cause you're a Prince-nut motherfucker

Zannaloaf said:

rdhull said:

Please. All he did was shut another Prince-nut mutherfucker down. Pfunk came about because of a semi-movement of sorts.

The most that will probably happen is a line in a song in the future ala "tried to make a doll of me" if that

2020 dont listen to teenyboppers opinions.

Um. No. If you actually look at Troy's work he has been showing and making art for years. ALL kinds of it. this was just another project..,he is hardly a "prince-nut". But I guess you need to be right. Cause you're a Prince-nut motherfucker

Um...making an assless pants Prince set up is prince nuttish and nobody ever said he didnt do art before or after LPP

..me, Im not a prince nut mutherfucker, Im simply "a" mutherfucker, period.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Zannaloaf said:

Um. No. If you actually look at Troy's work he has been showing and making art for years. ALL kinds of it. this was just another project..,he is hardly a "prince-nut". But I guess you need to be right. Cause you're a Prince-nut motherfucker

[Snip - luv4u]

I thought LPP was adorable. I liked the outfits, hair, photo shoots, & attention to detail. When I read that there would be a calendar, some thoughts came into my mind. Let's just say I'm not surprised........at all.

rdhull said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

[Snip - luv4u]

This is very strange because I did not respond to this post.

Oh wait..was it the websherrif thing?

[Edited 11/27/12 10:54am]

Fonkyman said:

mikeyaddict said:

Well done P. What a fabulous own goal!

Yet again.

He's lost his sense of humour. It's petty but so is he.

Maybe Troy could make Le Petit Camille?

I don't think he ever really did have a sense of humor. His "sense of humor" was always a snarky/bitchy type of humor.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

funky Prince Shuts Down 'Le Petit Prince' Miniatures Artist

November 14 2012, 12:41 PM ET
by Chris Martins

Le Petit Prince does 1980's "Dirty Mind" / Art and photo by Troy Gua

Troy Gua, creator of the Tiny Artist, gets a cease and desist

What was that we were saying about great ideas? Well, sometimes they're just quashed by the powers that be. In late 2011, Seattle artist Troy Gua combined his love for the outsize character of Prince and the surreal puppetry of "supermarionation" pioneer Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds), and launched the Le Petit Prince project. He built a 1/6 scale version of the Purple One, sewed up some "tiny sets of funky clothes," and shot the miniature Artist in some of his most iconic poses. Quite naturally, the photo series took off.

But as of Friday, November 16 at 4 p.m. PST, Le Petit Prince must be erased from the Internet. As Gua has announced via LPP's Facebook page, the real Prince's handlers have hit him with what sounds like a very unpleasant cease and desist letter. "I will, of course, comply with their demands, whether I agree with them as matters of artistic freedom or not," he wrote, before this rather heartbreaking addition: "I simply do not wish to fight with my hero, and it is terribly disheartening to think that he may hold ill will towards me and this project."

It should be noted that despite considerable demand, the dolls have never been for sale and, so far, the images have been distributed freely. He had plans for a photo book and exhibition, but all of that should've been protected by fair use, considering these are an artist's interpretations of a pop icon, delivered as a combination of satire and tribute. However, in order to fund the project's potential IRL outcroppings, Gua had begun to sell a Le Petit Prince calendar, a couple of Prince-inspired art prints, and a T-shirt made from one of those.

As an intro to the LPP section of his website, Gua had initially written: "There is ONLY ONE Le Petit Prince, and he's NOT FOR SALE. As for the possibility of reproduction, I have no intention or desire to break any laws or piss off my hero, so without the express consent and cooperation from Prince himself, I will not be reproducing this artwork in doll form. I would love nothing more than to put Le Petit Prince in the hands of true fans, but without Prince, it can’t happen. Prince, if you’re out there, I’d love to hear from you." Now ... probably not so much.

He wrote that while he had originally intended to make only one outfit for his hairy little buddy, fans online began requesting looks from different eras, eventually resulting in the extensive collection of remade album covers and photo shoots found, for now, on the LPP site. Also found there: a testimonial from the world-anointed arbiter of cool, ?uestlove, who says, "Troy is a gifted artist with amazing vision and detail. The thoroughness in his works shines amazingly through. Truly in awe of his work and expect even more awesome things in the future."

The Le Petit Prince calendar is still available, so get yours before it hits the black market. Here's the full text of Gua's announcement, which includes a couple of paragraphs from the letter he wrote back to Prince's people. Sorry 2 C U go. But first, this:

Hello, Friends.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this - I have been issued a cease & desist order from Prince’s attorneys. This means that the Le Petit Prince project has reached its untimely end and must be removed from the internet by Friday, November 16, 4pm PST. There are many points touched upon in the order, and I will, of course, comply with their demands, whether I agree with them as matters of artistic freedom or not. I simply do not wish to fight with my hero, and it is terribly disheartening to think that he may hold ill will towards me and this project. I wrote back to the attorneys and told them I would indeed comply, but wanted to address some of the issues brought up in their letter. I’d like to share these paragraphs with you, which contains sentiments that I hold dear and true:

“Any products sold are returning no profit to me - they are simply a meager means to fund and continue the LPP project, which is a work of fine art. And this funding, I would argue, is anything but “ill-gotten gains”. That term pains me, as I do not intend, nor have I ever intended to profit from Prince without his consent. I have, in fact, refused countless pleas to recreate the sculpture and make it available for sale because I felt that that would indeed be attempting to profit illegally. The recreation of album art and iconic imagery, on the other hand, I felt was within my creative rights as an artist. This is artwork that I have made as a loving tribute to an artist that has inspired me for decades, and has shaped the person I have become. And this tribute has grown into something that I never foresaw nor intended - a joyful and positive experience for many, many people around the world. It has, to my utter amazement, brought so much happiness to so many, building a following and a momentum that has demanded it endure and expand.

I have, actually, attempted through modest connections to Mr. Nelson, to contact him to no avail. He is not an easy person to reach out to. I, on the other hand, am very easy to engage, and was actually, perhaps foolishly, hoping for contact from him regarding this project in a much more congenial form. If I had any possible way of reaching Mr. Nelson to ask him his thoughts on this matter or to propose a creative business venture, believe me, I would have. I would love nothing more, and would relish the opportunity to do so, still.”

The words “thank you” could never adequately qualify the truly staggering gratitude I feel towards everyone who fueled the passion for this project with their words of support and praise, with their love and positivity, and with their all around good will. This project grew into what it became because of you. Although I am saddened beyond words that it has reached its end, and that it has ended this way, I am also deeply grateful and happy beyond words that I’ve had this rare opportunity to make so many new friends, to make so many people smile, and to make so many tiny sets of funky clothes.

I hope we can continue to be in touch in another corner of this great big universe somewhere. And I hope you had fun. I know I did.

For LPP, Troy Gua signing off...

The press has got a hold of this now....

Oh My Goodness that doll is so adorabbbbble~ it's so cute. and yes i'm so late on posting been away awhile,t bu I want one! well, great work!

The doll to me looks more like Troy than Prince...