by Teresa T.
Member since:
August 6, 2008

Secret ingredient...photos

November 08, 2008 12:06 AM EST (Updated: March 25, 2009 10:23 PM EDT)
views: 161 | comments: 43

Now I am sure that folks can say they got it from a site that gave them the freedom to post the photos...but as I was sending pings to folks out there in Gatherland...I came across several photos that I posted and were used by other Gather members as icons.  I kind of chuckled about it.  I wanted to yell...  Thief!!!  Thief!!!  LOL

Now the ones that are "free for all"...that's okay.  I still think I made it easy for them..though.  I guess it's okay.  I don't know...

Folks have gotten upset over me posting recipes and now I'm seeing my funny photos used as icons.  That's weird.

I want to give them a shout and say...get your own photos!!!  Gosh darn it!!!  But like the person who thought I was plagiarizing my own stuff...these folks probably don't realize they got some of those photos from me...because I posted them on other sites.

I'm not going to be a heel about it, because it ain't hurtin' anybody; at the present time anyway. I used to travel a lot and have collected a lot of photos.  Some I borrowed from friends.  I am a pretty good photographer and make calendars for friends and family every year for Christmas. So...I have snapped a lot of photos over the years.

Anyway...I just felt like talkin' about it...

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Comments: 43

Shirley U Understand Me S. Nov 8, 2008, 12:09am EST
you have a right to
Bob C. Nov 8, 2008, 12:10am EST
Teresa, I swear that I saw ths exact same article somewhere else, Okay Confess!!! ;-)
Bob C. Nov 8, 2008, 12:10am EST
;-)
Angela A. Nov 8, 2008, 12:10am EST
I feel your pain.
If you truly feel that someone is taking your stuff, tell them about it.
They probably, like you said, don't realize the pics belong to you.
If you tell them, they might just remove them, you never know.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 8, 2008, 12:11am EST
I hear ya.
Linda T. Nov 8, 2008, 12:11am EST
Very nice of you to be so gracious. Speaks a lot about your character.
Alta B. Nov 8, 2008, 12:18am EST
You know, you are a real trooper to just let it go. It really isn't worth all the bother sometimes. Especially when you know the truth.
Janet "Jax" B. Nov 8, 2008, 12:22am EST
Wow...I can't imagine anyone WANTING to take any of my photos...
Stephannie H. Nov 8, 2008, 12:35am EST
I have to figure out how to use my camera and post photos
Marilyn M. Nov 8, 2008, 12:42am EST
I suppose it's a compliment if someone steals from you, but I don't think I'd be that gracious. One person here told me about a year ago that as far as she's concerned any photo she finds anywhere online is hers is she wants it. I asked about words, and she told me that so far she had not felt the need to snatch anyone's words, but she would if she did. Sad.
Kat W. Nov 8, 2008, 12:46am EST
Sorry this has happened.
Carla B. Nov 8, 2008, 12:49am EST
It's good that you're being such a good sport. Almost every picture I've ever posted on here would be easy to prove it's mine, because they almost all include my family or pets. Of course I don't know anyone that would use a photo of someone else's kid as their icon...
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Nov 8, 2008, 12:54am EST
People have used my parody's and some material that I used to use in my performances, but I am flattered and no longer use them to make money.

It isn't right if it bothers you.
Carletta Jones Nov 8, 2008, 1:49am EST
That's kind of a compliment that they would want to use your photo! But I'm not sure how things work on here yet since I just joined
Christine Zibas Nov 8, 2008, 1:52am EST
I don't think it is ever right for someone to use someone else's pictures, words, ideas, etc. without their permission. How do you fight this losing battle? It's just about impossible, and that is the sad thing about it. You can't let it eat away at you because your options are probably limited. I would still be tempted to call the person out, however.
Donna T. Nov 8, 2008, 1:56am EST
omg - what a riot!

I would totally call them on it. If only to say something like "I see you like my picture since you made it your icon"

I wish you would say who it is.....I'm so curious!
Wilhelmine Estabrook Nov 8, 2008, 5:34am EST
I was going to say to take it as a compliment as well.
It is nice to get credit for ones own work, but often it doesn't happen and, unless you have a great was of money, and want to waste a lot of time in litigation, I'd be tempted to let it pass.
About ten years ago I wrote a poem about angels. My sister asked if she could send it to a friend or two. I said help yourself. You have no idea how many times my angel poem has showed up on Christmas cards...without my byline of course....and it's still going the rounds.
William Dotani Nov 8, 2008, 6:04am EST
I don't think you're violating the Copyright DMA law.
Maria W. Nov 8, 2008, 6:27am EST
I think you should call the person on it. I use alot of my icon pics from emails i receive and hope they aren't yours. If they are let me know.
Kate M. Nov 8, 2008, 7:39am EST
Most of my pics are my own art work and the original resides in a sketchbook that lives with me. Occasionally I borrow a photo with permission from the owner to draw, but I always ask first. It is sad when things are posted for others viewing pleasure and they just take them and claim them as their own work. It would be totally different now if your byline was getting out there. Perhaps you should digitally encode your byline on your photos so if they are taken, you still get the credit.
Kevin E. Nov 8, 2008, 8:38am EST
As I read your article I felt the unfairness of what is happening to you make my blood pressure rise. Please know you have my sympathy. To those who are doing this to you. You are lazy, and it's not fair!
Steph-in-NE ..... Nov 8, 2008, 9:04am EST
I agree and if I cought anyone using my stuff,, all heck would break lose,,,,
Amy H. Nov 8, 2008, 9:18am EST
Thanks for posting your content to the Group: We comment back
Bob Cronley Nov 8, 2008, 10:49am EST
I always try to put a copyright claim in the corner of my photos. If people use the photo, I don't make a fuss unless they try to sell it. I figure that anything you post on the internet is up for grabs, so I don't get upset if someone uses my stuff. In fact, I consider it free advertising.
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Nov 8, 2008, 11:28am EST
You expressed yourself so politely - if it bothers you, mention it to the person. You think they would be able to come up with an original icon - after all, it is supposed to represent THEM
Bob Cronley Nov 8, 2008, 11:36am EST
Another thing is that I always downsize my pictures before putting them on the web. If all someone has is a cropped, downsized version of a picture, and I have the full sized version with the exif info and the camera it came out of, I think it would be easy enough to prove the picture is mine if I have to.
Plagiarism and copyright violation are big here. Think of all the people who post copyrighted articles from other sites. Many defend them by saying "I cited the source." Here's the Gather policy on copyrighted material:

You're responsible for any content you share on Gather, so you should only share content you created or for which you can provide written permission from the copyright owner. Remember: you automatically own the copyright for content you create. If you share content you didn't create or for which you don't have permission, you may be violating copyright laws and Gather's Terms of Service.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Nov 8, 2008, 2:47pm EST
People need to get over themselves when it comes to posting recipes. They are allowed to be shared on Gather. Just like with everything else they need to be your or you need to name the source and have permission to do so.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Nov 8, 2008, 2:48pm EST
BTW..I know they are allowed because I have personally asked Gather and received a response.
Elizabeth S. Nov 8, 2008, 3:01pm EST
I've been wondering about my own icon. It was sent to me in an email years ago with no one credited for the photo. When I see a quote with no one listed, I can google it to find out who gets credit, but I can't do that with photos.
Gather tried policing copyright violations and plagiarism for a while. There used to be a copyright violation flag. They've retreated to the ebay position, the copyright holder has to complain before Gather will take action.
Yeah, it's one of the reasons I don't post anything here that, although I'd be disappointed to find stolen, wouldn't be the end of the world if it were. I think that fear is one of the things that keeps the site mediocre in its offerings.
DesertDarlene L. Nov 8, 2008, 6:48pm EST
I don't blame you for being upset, I would be too. One of the reasons why I stopped posting photos and artwork here in the past was because people have said that some of their works were getting stolen. Also, way too many people were posting photos that weren't their own and weren't giving credit to the owner or photographer. I see less of that happening now, though, but I know it still happens.
Karen G. Nov 8, 2008, 6:49pm EST
That an definitely happen. I think it happens to everyone at one time or another.
.* Sandi * Nov 8, 2008, 7:36pm EST
Thank you for posting to commentsneeded.gather.com
Animated Pictures Myspace Comments
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Liz [site-raven] Nov 8, 2008, 9:10pm EST
I have found my photos on free sites. The first time I found them I was like Wah? And i had that silly reaction after much discussion about plagiarism was had here. LOL!
Diana B. Nov 8, 2008, 10:58pm EST
I don't know if I could be a good sport about it like you. I try to not copy anyone or take anything that belongs to someone or at least give credit where credit is due.
Deb J. Nov 9, 2008, 4:41pm EST
Right now I don't even own a digital camera and I am in withdrawal....ours was stolen when my son took it somewhere...Maybe someday I'll be able to afford another one!! Times are tough since my ex husband quit paying his child support about 7 mos ago! He has a bench warrent out on him now but he doesn't live in the same state as me so it makes it harder.
Has turned cold here in MI!
SmileyCentral.com
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Nov 9, 2008, 4:41pm EST
You are being far too nice about that. Copyright violation and plagiarism are huge issues.
R B Nov 9, 2008, 9:17pm EST
You'll also see a lot of people who label their photos. Extra work, but worth it to them.
Allison R. Nov 11, 2008, 11:54pm EST
I agree with R B -- but if you do decide to label them , make it a small label -- don't cover the WHOLE picture -- I find it detracts from the photo that way -- just my opinion.. : )
.* Sandi * Nov 13, 2008, 7:20pm EST
Thank you for posting to commentsneeded.gather.com
Is it Friday yet??

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