As you may remember, on March 8 my site experienced a concerning crash during the release of my Widespread Panic “Venus” poster.
The bots attacking my website had reached critical mass, assailing my site with 2.3 million automated refreshes in the first 2 minutes of the sale, overloading and arresting the enterprise level serving capacity. In other words my website melted spectacularly.
On March 11, I organized a lottery sale with the kind support of my representing gallery: Harman Projects. We ran the lottery as a flash release, thus foiling the bot targeting that comes with advance warning. The lottery attracted 50,000 automated lottery entries — in the last 30 minutes of the hour entry window — which were parsed by hand. Ken Harman kindly devoted a week of work to this task, hand sorting and vetting each entry. The method was successful, but required an impractical level of time and effort.
Notably, on March 11 I promised you this: “I’m actively working on a detailed plan to address the bot issue and create a more enjoyable, secure and convenient online buying experience for my faithful supporters.”
I studied intensively the technological challenges presented by automated buying applications, and discovered the one company able to employ cutting-edge software and proprietary methodology to achieve victory over bot buyers, and ensure that real collectors always win: EQL.
On August 5, 2023 I will make good on my promise to you.
On August 5, with my release of The Sperry Collectible Card Set • Series 2, I am implementing a partnership with EQL to make all of my launch items (posters, prints, and card sets) available only to true collectors.
EQL is a hype commerce platform developed by ex-Google engineers in Melbourne, Australia. Their platform was purpose-built to manage the chaos of hyped releases. An EQL launch allows all interested customers to submit an entry into the launch for free, and if you’re selected, the opportunity to purchase the relevant product from the seller. Their machine-learning Fairness Algorithm filters out bots and bad actors, ensuring only real fans can purchase.
EQL works with an impressive list of companies across categories including sneakers, apparel, premium liquor, and more, facing these same challenges and who have chosen to use EQL to ensure their launches are Run Fair. I am proud to announce that I am the first artist in their portfolio. I expect EQL’s platform will be the “enjoyable, secure, and convenient online buying experience” I promised: the promise I made to you, my loyal supporters.
On August 5, 2023, at 12 noon PST I will open my online launch for The Sperry Collectible Card Set • Series 2. The ballot will be open for 24 hours. As long as you enter during this timeframe, time of entry does not impact your chances of purchase. One entry per user. Multiple entries will be penalized.
The Sperry Collectible Card Set • Series 2 • Find Out More
Visit the brand new Chuck Sperry Store (in the main menu of my website or HERE.) where the online launch will open on August 5, 2023, at 12 noon PST.
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