Editing Hugh Syme (section)

==Controversy==

=== Clip art and stock imagery usage ===
Syme has been criticized for his usage of clip art and stock imagery. In 2011, heavy metal music-themed news website [[MetalSucks]] called attention to the clip art Syme used for Dream Theater's ''[[A Dramatic Turn of Events]]'', as well as noted the same clip art image appears on [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[progressive metal]] band [[Circus Maximus (Norwegian band)|Circus Maximus]]'s 2005 album ''[[The 1st Chapter (album)|The 1st Chapter]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Neilstein |first=Vince |date=2011-08-08 |title=DREAM THEATER USED CLIP ART FOR THEIR NEW ALBUM COVER |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/08/08/dream-theater-used-clip-art-for-their-album-cover/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-02-14 |title=Circus Maximus Official Website - www.circusmaximussite.com |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214212724/http://www.circusmaximussite.com/discography.htm |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> As written by ''MetalSucks'': "Dream Theater might’ve gotten away with it if wasn’t for those pesky kids in Circus Maximus, whose 2005 album featured the very same $15.00 clip art image on the cover."<ref name=":0" />

=== Double-selling artwork allegations ===
Upon release of Dream Theater's ''[[Parasomnia (album)|Parasomnia]]'' in February 2025, allegations quickly emerged of Syme potentially double-selling artwork, as his ''Parasomnia'' artwork appeared identical to his artwork on Orion's ''The Lightbringers''<ref>{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2025-02-10 |title=Artist Called Out For Allegedly Licensing Same Piece Of Artwork To Dream Theater & Orion |url=https://www.theprp.com/2025/02/10/news/artist-called-out-for-allegedly-licensing-same-piece-of-artwork-to-dream-theater-orion/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}</ref>, released six-months prior on August 16, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mind |first=The Prog |date=2024-08-14 |title=Orion – The Lightbringers |url=https://theprogmind.com/2024/08/14/orion-the-lightbringers/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=The PROG Mind |language=en}}</ref> Taking to social media on February 7, 2025, Orion's Ben Jones called out Syme in a [[Facebook]] post: "Is this for real?! A piece of artwork in the new Dream Theater deluxe edition is the EXACT same piece of artwork that was in ''The Lightbringers'' booklet for the song 'The Ghosts Among Us' ... Hugh Syme did the artwork for my album and theirs, so I think I can see where this is going..."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seneca |date=2025-02-11 |title=Dream Theater’s Artist Accused of Selling the Same Artwork to Multiple Bands |url=https://themosh.net/dream-theaters-artist-accused-of-selling-the-same-artwork-to-multiple-bands/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=The Mosh Network |language=en-US}}</ref> While Syme remained silent on the matter, Jones followed up: "I’ve never suggested plagiarism – in fact, I’ve repeatedly emphasized that Dream Theater are also victims of Hugh’s negligence." As Dream Theater's manager Frank Solomon reached out privately to Jones, Jones recalled: "We had a very amicable exchange ... Despite owing me nothing, Frank made a very kind offer, which I plan to accept. I want to be clear – Dream Theater committed no wrongdoing in this situation."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mäenpää |first=Arto |date=2025-02-11 |title=Artist under fire for allegedly selling same artwork to both Dream Theater and Orion |url=https://chaoszine.net/artist-under-fire-for-allegedly-selling-same-artwork-to-both-dream-theater-and-orion/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Chaoszine |language=en-US}}</ref>