Okay, as my friends here already know I am ungodly slow when commenting on people's devs and posting replies. I tend to let them pile up and then spend a day or three playing catch up. I suck that way...ANd I very often capitalize the first two letters at the start of a sentence. I've learned to live with it, and so must the world...

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SO I came across a piece of Ayatsuri Sakon "Fan Art" that is traced from an original piece by Obata Takeshi, the actual manga artists. It is a cover image from the rerelease of the manga. SO this person actually took a bunch of photos of "his" work to prove he actually did it, since apparently he has been reported quite a bit before.
Rant Begin:

I think just because you trace and colour image, making it only linework, you still have no right to claim it as your own. All it shows is patience, a steady hand, and lack of ethics. And to then stand up and say..."no I drew it...it's mine" is wrong. Too many people here bust their asses to produce true detailed works of art. Theft just shouldn't be allowed like this.
At least have the balls to say you did it off another work. If you want people to like your 'art' so damn much, at least be honest as to what is yours. Maybe if you spend more time on your own designs you'll reach the skill level of the pieces your ripping off. You have potential...stop wasting it.

Okay...rant over.

UPDATE
SO speaketh the DA admins. This is why the young artists out there aren't learning how to be real artists. Because this type of crap is considered "art." Legitimate my ass.

"Your Art theft or No Permission Violation Report on Ayatsuri Sakon was reviewed by a member of the Staff and action was taken, marking the report as Invalid. Additionally, the following comment was provided:

A member of staff has reviewed this deviation and has determined that it is legitimate fan art. No action is required."

End Update