Gone, Baby, Gone

Three weeks ago, we reported that Graeme Flanagan, who has for some time now managed an excellent Web site celebrating the artwork of American paperback illustrator Robert McGinnis, might be required to shut that resource down “because of claims that the site contains direct links to live porn sites.” We hoped that this dispute could be resolved swiftly and to the satisfaction of both McGinnis and Flanagan--as well as to the satisfaction of those of us who enjoy McGinnis’ paintings. But that seems to have been a forlorn hope. In a note posted in Bill Crider’s blog this morning, Flanagan delivers the unfortunate news:

I regret to inform you that Robert McGinnis has today requested me to remove my collection of his work from the Internet. He has done this in response to “the flagrant abuse of the copyrights of (his) paintings and name out of context on the internet” which “has forced (him) to reduce access as much as possible”.

He has also shut down his own web-site and, tragically, cancelled proposals for two new books.

Although it saddens me to do so, I must respect Mr. McGinnis’s wishes, and will remove my website within the next day or two.

Allegations that my website contained “direct links to live porn sites”, which had caused concern to Mr. McGinnis, have been proven to be false, thanks in no small part to the testimony of many people on my mailing list.

I want to thank all those who offered supportive comment when I previously advised that the website would be shut down, and I apologise that I am unable to keep the website going.

I also want to thank everyone who helped in any way whatsoever during the several years that the website was in operation.

In an era when copyrights and control of one’s own creative output are being usurped by inappropriate use of material on the Web, it’s not entirely ridiculous that Robert McGinnis should wish to rein in the casual employment of his life’s work on the Internet. But it’s still sad to see Flanagan’s site disappearing. He’s done a terrific job of collecting McGinnis’ book jackets, many of which are eye-catching. If you haven’t visited Flanagan’s tribute pages yet, click over there now. While you can.