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If, during an unsolicited conversation with someone, they mention "I'm a professional artist", it can be said with absolute certainty, they're not.

The Internet is great.

The ubiquity of freely available or low cost tools for creating, is great.

Meeting, chatting, helping other artists/creators is great.

Being direct message spammed by self-proclaimed "professional artists", not so much.

These folks have a habit of drifting from community to community posting little of any substance, all in an effort to draw attention to their products and services. They don't contribute to the community, but they're more than happy to be part of it if only to sell their wares.

When asked for clarity on what they're doing they will often retort that they're a "professional artist". When pressed further they might link to a 'portfolio',
 typically just be a collection of images posted to Instagram or PasteBin collection, or a 'page' on ArtStation or other 'art' site, with gmail listed as a contact address.

This isn't a portfolio (no matter what might be said about it).

If you're earning money from your creative efforts, and consider that a 'profession', get your act together, spend a few bucks and sort out a dedicated website. Use a freebie service if you must. But at the very least treat what you're doing as a profession and not just a label you're (mis)applying to your undeclared, barely legal, side-hustle.

When you contact someone with the intent to chase commissions, don't engage in disingenuous small talk, claim you "want to be friends", just get to the point, post your derivative artwork, and then move on if there's no interest.

A Bill has been introduced to the US Congress, S.686 RESTRICT Act, that potentially affects everyone that uses the internat. Scanning through the proposed legislation, it grants the Government access to Users communications, potentially without a warrant, and potentially in violation of, for US Citizens, their 4th and 5th Amendment Rights, and other Nationals 'due process' Rights and laws. It also potentially further criminalises 'whistle-blowing'.

To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to review and prohibit certain transactions between persons in the United States and foreign adversaries, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act" or the "RESTRICT Act". (emphasis added) [source]

This is the 225 page UK's Online Safety Bill as initially presented. For an overview of the legislation see "Britain makes internet safer, as Online Safety Bill finished and ready to become law" press release. For the latest amendments and changes see the documents listed on the Online Safety Bill tracking page.

Another scam specifically targeting gamers with a plea to nostalgia for older games.

Subject

• "Step Back in Time: Play All Your Beloved Games Again - Limited Offer!"
• "Unlock a Treasure Chest of Nostalgia: Classic Games Await You!"
• "Rediscover Classic Gaming Magic - Dive into Your Favorite Titles for Just $100!"

Message Body

Dear Gaming Aficionado,

Ready to journey back in time to the golden era of gaming?

We've got the ultimate ticket!

Gain exclusive access to a lifetime of gaming delight with our
offer: every Xbox 360 and PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 game, including variations, for your PC or laptop, all for just $100.

What's Included:

- More than 15.000 games;
- Unlimited, lifelong access;
- Quick and easy game downloads;
- Emulators for optimal performance;
- Detailed user manual;

Don't let nostalgia slip away. Relive your gaming glory days today!

Price: just $100

Contact us on WhatsApp: +55 11 91264 6760 Or Skype: jebpatini

Best wishes,
Super Games

P.S: buying today i'll give you ALL NINTENDO SWITCH games to play in your PC or laptop!!!

Sender

• Amazing Games - gamesss_amazinggg@outlook.com
• Super Games - qlpee2@gmail.com
• Super Games - tjz94o@gmail.com
• Super Games - h5ztaqu@a-mobile.biz
• Nostalgia Games - scdpmmc@a-mobile.biz

In STEPHEN THALER, Plaintiff, v. SHIRA PERLMUTTER, Register of Copyrights and Director of the United States Copyright Office, et al. Judge Beryl A. Howell opined that AI generated art work is NOT subject to Copyright protection. It stands to reason then that businesses that employing AI generated content as a basis of their Intellectual Property, in part or whole, is risking uncontrolled 'misappropriations' they cannot defend against using standard Copyright arguments.

Further to this opinion from the Courts, the United States Copyright Office has issued a "Copyright Office Issues Notice of Inquiry on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence" to "study" issues surrounding use of AI and how the affects on Copyright.

The UK's Intellectual Property Office conducted a similar 'consultation', "Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: copyright and patents: Government response to consultation" that essentially concluded it's still too early to definitively rule one way or the other on AI in relation to Intellectual Property. The UK does however, have a 'code of practice' that can be followed - "The government's code of practice on copyright and AI". While this is available it doesn't necessarily mean AI, art in particular, is being granted Copyright protection.