Justice for Artists: How Daniel Lachman Helps Creatives Fight Art Theft

Have you ever hesitated to share your art online out of fear that it might be stolen? You’re not alone and that’s exactly where Daniel Lachman, founder of Justice for Artists, began his journey.

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of the Art + Audience podcast, Stacie sits down with Daniel to unpack the complex, frustrating, and often invisible world of art theft and what you can actually do about it.

When Going Viral Becomes a Problem

Daniel started as an Etsy entrepreneur selling quirky tees through his brand Sharp Shirter. One viral hit later (thanks to a sloth-meets-King-Kong design called Slothzilla) and suddenly his success was being overshadowed by mass counterfeiting. Cease and desist letters didn’t help. Neither did DMCA takedowns. The problem wasn’t going away. So Daniel pivoted from art director to advocate, teaming up with attorneys and launching Justice for Artists, an organization dedicated to helping creatives fight back.

150+ Artists and Counting

Since its inception just two years ago, Justice for Artists has helped nearly 150 artists fight for their rights and recover revenue that was rightfully theirs, often without spending a dime. How? The organization works entirely on contingency, meaning they only get paid when there’s a settlement. For many artists who can't afford legal help, that’s a game-changer. 

“We’ve had artists get six-figure settlements for stolen designs,” Daniel shares. “There’s so much money on the table and most artists don’t even realize it.”

Real Artists, Real Justice

One of Daniel’s most jaw-dropping stories? Tracking down the mysterious creator of a viral frog pin (aptly named Frick Frog) via Reddit. The original artist had vanished from the internet but after weeks of detective work, Daniel’s team found her. The result? A life-changing settlement for a tiny green frog flipping the bird.

It’s moments like these that highlight how valuable your art truly is. As Stacie puts it, “Artists don’t always realize how much their work is worth until someone else is making millions off of it.”

You Don’t Need a Law Degree (But a VPN Helps)

Daniel isn’t a lawyer, but he’s fluent in the legal side of creative protection. He’s built an entire system from identifying theft, to filing mass infringement lawsuits, to freezing Amazon inventory. And yes, he and his team even use VPNs to dodge the counterfeiting companies who track their every move.

The goal isn’t just to win cases; it’s to empower artists to feel safe sharing again. “One of the most rewarding messages we got,” Daniel says, “was from an artist who said, ‘Not only did you help me financially, but now I feel like I can share my art again.’”

Don’t Let Fear Keep You from Posting

It’s easy to retreat when your work gets stolen. But Daniel and Stacie agree: building your audience means showing up, telling your story, and sharing your work consistently.

“My audience has become my eyes and ears,” says Stacie. “People tag me when they see my work being copied and because I’ve registered my copyrights, I can take action.”

Tips for Artists: Protecting Your Work

Daniel offers practical, actionable advice:

• Always screenshot counterfeit listings before they disappear.
  
  
• Make a test purchase of the stolen item. It’s key evidence.
  
  
• Register your copyrights (ideally before your work gets stolen).
  
  
• Don’t post rants online but gather your proof and reach out to Justice for Artists first.
  
  

You don’t need to fight alone and you don’t need to be a legal expert to protect yourself.

Your Work Is Valuable. Own That!

Art isn’t “just art.” It’s business, it’s passion, it’s livelihood. And when artists are empowered with the right tools and community, the possibilities expand exponentially.

“What happens when enough artists are armed with the right information?” Stacie asks. “We stop being taken advantage of, and we start building something more powerful than anyone imagined.”

Final Thoughts

Daniel Lachman’s journey from viral Etsy success to artist advocate is a powerful reminder that we don’t have to be passive victims when our art is stolen. With the right tools, community, and support, artists can fight back and win.

Justice for Artists is leading that charge. Whether your work has already been ripped off or you want to protect yourself before it happens, Daniel and his team have built a path forward that doesn’t require a law degree or a huge legal bill.

Follow Daniel and his team, visit justice4artists.com or find him on Instagram @justice.for.artists.

If this episode resonated, share it with your fellow artists. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Art + Audience Podcast. Follow Stacie on Instagram @gingiber | @leverageyourart. Get a copy of Stacie’s book: The Artist's Side Hustle. OUT NOW!

If you have questions about your own art journey? Call the Art + Audience hotline at (479) 966-9561, and Stacie might answer your question in a future episode!