I’m willing to bet that by this time next week the word “Granito” will be a shiny new entry on Urbandictionary.com. It’s a broad term, with applications as a noun, a verb and even an adjective. It’s like a sad and deluded version of “smurfy,” suitable in any scenario where the user wishes to convey the depths of depravity that must dwell in a plagiarist’s soul.
The origins of this term lie squarely on the shoulders of one man, Rob Granito.
[Editor’s Note: statements about any legal wrongdoing by Mr. Granito should be considered alleged, as he has not been convicted of any crimes or sued for any copyright or other infringements.]
In case you have not yet heard, allow me to fill you in. Apparently, for a number of years (by some estimates as many as 15!) a fellow by the name of Rob Granito has been showing up at conventions around the country with a resume that takes padding to a new level. In that – it’s all lies. He also brings with him to these cons a variety of “original works” and prints that are blatant copies of other artist’s work. I have not called them exact copies because frankly his skills are minimal and his attempts to change or hide the original pieces ham-handed and sad.
What’s interesting is that many people have suspected or even known about this issue for years, and it’s just now coming to an inter-splosion largely because of this article. Rich Johnston of Bleedingcool.com was “sent a number of allegations saying that Rob is basically nothing but a chancer” and decided to do a bit of investigative blogging. He emailed Rob with pointed questions, and what he received in response was disturbing, and clearly worth sharing with the community at large.
[You can read the rest of Brigid Ashwood’s analysis of the alleged Rob Granito scam on our companion blog, GeekMom!]
