I was going through old OCs and realized I still had images of one "I" sold off like over 2/3 years ago through some other person as a mutual agreement. If they sold the character for me, they could take money and make me some art in return. Although, the thing is: my character was sold, but I never received my art in return from the seller, and I never once got information on the buyer. All I was told was "Hey, your character sold for $10, I'll get to making your art asap." Going through all of our messages, I never once received art. And I noticed about after a year without anything, I texted back again like "Sorry, but can I get information on that buyer if you still have it? Since you never gave it before, and you have still not given me said art in return for the money you took." They ignored my question, said they forgot and they'll get right to it, and was never heard from again. I apparently texted them multiple times since then, never got a response. Never got answers.

Overall, I'm sitting here wondering if I have the right to reclaim my character or not. I am the orginal creator of her design and such, and I payed for all her art pieces (which I apparently still have.. must've kept them in case), so why shouldn't I be allowed to keep said character? Does anyone have any help they could give me on what to do?

If you never got your refund and/or trade-art, I don't see why you wouldn't own that art.

I may be misunderstanding, but the person you made the deal with sold the art to another person whom you have no contact with? That muddies it up quite a bit if they were being honest, as that third person wouldn't know that the art was technically "stolen". If this was through another game or website, is it possible that you could track down the "new owner"?

This was through Instagram, being 3 years ago that account has been lost theough millions of other accounts and I'm sure that there's also a possibility the person who bought the art's account could've been deleted from inactivity by now. That all just lowers my chances of ever finding this "new owner".

Yeah see, that's the thing. There was never a refund or trade-art on my end. But since it was bought by someone, I'm not sure what to do. They paid their money for it.

Okay and if somebody steals your car and sells it, the person that bought your car now owns a stolen item and is obligated to return it to you and get their refund from the thief. I don't see why it would be any different for art. I'd go ahead and use your art, and if somebody approaches you about it, you can explain the situation.

You have a very good point there haha. So understandable, thank you!