Posted on by Jeff

Thanks For The Business, Real Yoga Gear!

Three and a half years ago, I had an idea for a new Toro BJJ rashguard: I grew up playing 8-bit video games, so I thought it’d be cool to create a mock Jiu-Jitsu video game and put it on a rashie. I drew an 8-bit scene of me grappling with my buddy Sean, created a scene reflecting a game cartridge, and shipped it out. We got a great response and BJJHQ picked it up!

It’s always flattering when people dig your work, so I was pretty excited that a company called Real Yoga Gear had grabbed the design as well. Sure, they removed the “Toro” branding, but I’m sure that was just a mistake. They have a bunch of other rashguards on their site, and I’m sure none of those were lifted from other companies’ proprietary artwork. Even better, they say they handmake all their material right here in the USA, and I’m sure that’s true, too.

They even used my art in Instagram ads to drive people to their site! This is also a huge compliment for me, and I’m excited for the exposure. Even more exciting is the value they see in the work — they wouldn’t pick just any image as an ad, so it’s clear they see the financial returns art can create.

I love yoga, too, so I wanted to make sure to express my appreciation. I sent them the following message:

“Hello! I saw your ads on Instagram for the 8 Bit rashguard. I’m so glad you’re offering this product, since that’s original artwork I designed for Toro BJJ expressly for this purpose.

I notice that you’re both selling the rashguard and using it in Instagram advertisements. It’s super-flattering to know that you think my work has such value! I’m attaching my usual invoice for work of this nature.
My typical rate for licensing my art is $500 per piece, so please find my invoice attached. Because I love yoga and admire your commitment to making everything by hand in the USA, I’m willing to offer an alternative: a $250 donation to the Women’s Debate Institute, a great non-profit. You can even deduct it on your taxes! My invoice is here. (Also kindly note that Live to Roll / Roll to Live is a registered trademark of Toro BJJ).
Please note that merely taking down the ads and rash guard listing will not be enough to satisfy this invoice, since my work has already been used for profit. Please either send payment directly (I accept PayPal and Venmo) or proof of a non-profit donation by Oct. 1.
Thanks again,
Jeff Shaw”
I wanted to share this because I know that a lot of my friends make art, and would be as flattered by this as I was. Also, a lot of my friends are lawyers, and while I’m sure many of them would encourage me to take a different approach, I’m confident that Real Yoga Gear will accept my offer of a donation to a great non-profit before any of them send me offers of pro bono work.
Namaste!