Heads up about copyright violations

jcat

jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Feb 13, 2003
Messages
73,213
Purraise
9,851
Location
Mo(w)gli Monster's Lair
A number of sites here in Germany, including eBay, are being combed by a bunch of lawyers looking for copyrighted photos. Those "caught" posting copyrighted photos are being sent letters demanding €250 in damages, and €256 in lawyers' fees (€1 = $1.20) per photo, and it's legit. The action is reportedly international. Please: If you didn't take the photo personally, don't post it!

Link: http://www.frag-einen-anwalt.de/Copy...ay__f8621.html
 
mom of 10 cats

mom of 10 cats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
5,643
Purraise
4
Location
Longmont, CO
I wonder if you'd still get in trouble if you acknowledged the copyright? For example, on our webpage we have a picture of Bast painted by Rowena Morrill. Underneath it, I have the name of the image and a note indicating it is copyright Rowena Morrill.
 
X

xdx

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
416
Purraise
2
Location
South Coast U.K.
As far as I know even if you acknowledge copyright. You need permission off the copyright holder to use the images as they may not agree with there usage.
 
sar

sar

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
9,787
Purraise
1
Location
The future 'Green' House! (NW England)
Originally Posted by xDx

As far as I know even if you acknowledge copyright. You need permission off the copyright holder to use the images as they may not agree with there usage.
Click to expand...
They may also want to charge you for the privilege of using the image!
 
mom of 10 cats

mom of 10 cats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
5,643
Purraise
4
Location
Longmont, CO
I just found Rowena's personal website and sent her an email asking her if I may continue to use her image. I included a link to the webpage so she can see what we're about. Keeping my fingers crossed that she's ok with it, as I adore the image!! She's an incredibly talented artist.
 
rapunzel47

rapunzel47

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 20, 2003
Messages
30,725
Purraise
8
Location
Lotus Land
The link is OK, because you haven't lifted the artist's work and put it somewhere else, but are simply giving directions so others can find it.
 
babyharley

babyharley

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
25,708
Purraise
2
Location
Minnesota
Originally Posted by rapunzel47

The link is OK, because you haven't lifted the artist's work and put it somewhere else, but are simply giving directions so others can find it.
Click to expand...
Awesome- thanks!
 
hissy

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
77
A good rule of thumb-

If you didn't write it, DON'T post it
If you didn't draw it- DON'T post it
If you didn't take the photo DON'T post it

If you did write/draw/take photo and you do post it, be aware that someone else can easily steal it without your knowledge.

I wrote a poem some years back about the healing therapy of horses and posted it on a private horse board. Weeks later, that poem had traveled (and is still is traveling) all over the internet. Ending up in newsletters for horse people, websites, you name it. Sometimes with my name attached, sometimes with Author Unknown


It is infuriating really that so many people think that just because they see it on the Internet, it is free for the taking. Because it isn't.
 
K

kiaira

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
90
Purraise
1
Isn't there something you can do to your picture so others can't take it? I don't know how you do it, but it prevents people from right clicking it; therefore, saving it to their computer.
 
valanhb

valanhb

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
32,530
Purraise
100
Location
Lakewood (Denver suburb), Colorado
Originally Posted by Kiaira

Isn't there something you can do to your picture so others can't take it? I don't know how you do it, but it prevents people from right clicking it; therefore, saving it to their computer.
Click to expand...
That's something in the HTML code of the website. However, even with that it's easy to get around if you REALLY want to save that image. Watermarking your pics is another way to try to protect them, but for the most part those aren't too hard to remove with a little time and effort in Photoshop.

Most people aren't maliciously stealing images, artwork or writing, but trying to share something they saw or got in an email. Most people just don't actually stop and think about the person who took the picture, created the artwork or wrote the poem, or about Copyright. Somehow it has gotten into the collective brain that if it's on the internet it is free access and use, when that is really not the case at all.
 
me-n-my guys

me-n-my guys

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
1,009
Purraise
5
Location
Under the Radar
This thread brings to mind questions I have that relate to copyright law..

I'm an artist currently working on a portrait of a football player.
There are alot of logos on him of course, from the team logo & the NFL logo to the logos on the helmet & football. He is legally bought & sold all over the place. I have to use other people's photographs to copy to create this art.
Could I get into big trouble for selling this art? What if I decided to have nice prints made & sell them, probably over the internet?
Blurring the logos in my art is out of the question, I am very anal about every little detail.
I'm sorry if I hijacked the thread, if anyone has any thoughts on this that they don't want to reply to here, can you send me a PM?
 
K

kiaira

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
90
Purraise
1
Originally Posted by valanhb

That's something in the HTML code of the website. However, even with that it's easy to get around if you REALLY want to save that image. Watermarking your pics is another way to try to protect them, but for the most part those aren't too hard to remove with a little time and effort in Photoshop.

Most people aren't maliciously stealing images, artwork or writing, but trying to share something they saw or got in an email. Most people just don't actually stop and think about the person who took the picture, created the artwork or wrote the poem, or about Copyright. Somehow it has gotten into the collective brain that if it's on the internet it is free access and use, when that is really not the case at all.
Click to expand...
Thanks for clarifying the right click thing for me Valanhb...I wasn't really sure how well it worked, if at all.
In the past, I wanted to share some of my photos before (on another board), but was reluctant to do so in fear that someone would take and use them somewhere else. I have just heard too many horrible stories regarding stolen pictures...

When I found out about being able to prevent people from right clicking the image, I thought I should ask about it just in case. I should have known that method still wouldn't have been safe as most people who know a lot about computers and are determined to get a certain picture, will find a way to get it one way or another.
Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top