First of all, I will say that I am not perfect and my approach to some issues may be a little "hard line" at times. I get that. I may try a more kindler, gentler approach in the future, but I will say, that I doubt I will get any less defensive behavior as a result.
Yesterday I posted about some of the recent copyright infringers that came through my feed. There were three I had in mind when writing the post, two of whom had posted the same pictures from the same forwarded email that apparently is making the rounds right now.
I made ONE comment on each of the posts. The title of each post was a warning to look out for identity theft this Easter season (they have both been either removed or are in "limbo" because neither can be accessed at this moment.) The comment I made was in response to the title and the content of the post and was this, "Apparently copyright infringement is also running rampant this Easter season..."
That's it... a ONE LINE comment. No dramatic grandstanding, no ALL CAPS accusations, no dramatic flare... just a simple statement that was maybe a little bit smart aleck, but just a statement, nontheless. One recipient of said comment deleted my comment and privately gather mailed me and asked me to stop commenting and said that my comments were annoying and that since he/she had received these images in an email it was "fair game." To which I then responded that, "No, all email forwards are not automatically 'fair game.' " The issue died there and the post was reported as soon as the photographer's website was found where the images were originally taken from.
The other person... handled my comment with much less decorum and blew the DRAMA to a whole new level. I am not sure how many posts ensued (3 or 4?) but they were so over the top it was comical. One post went on and on about how this person had been accused of being a thief and that it was just uncalled for and that I had said that every single word would now be scrutinized, etc... (Which I did not say...) Of course many rushed to his/her rescue with their "How dare they..." comments and a pity party ensued. My only comment to the person was about the images that were obviously not his/hers and that copyright infringement is running rampant --- because IT IS! If you are accused of copyright infringement... consider that the reason you might be so DEFENSIVE is because it is true, and you are in the wrong... just MAYBE?
Anyway, the second individual removed all the posts referring to this incident and has reportedly gone through all posts and will now only post original content... so a victory has been won. But alas, I got this gather mail this morning and it appears honesty has caused the death of a "friendship."
| From | XXX | |
| To | Heidi Cole (heidicole) | |
| Subject | In Light | |
| Sent | Apr 09 2009, 09:34 AM EDT | |
| Message | In Light of the fact that you get so much enjoyment out of hurting others by scrutinizing every word that is written or posted. I have removed you from my friends list. Please do me the courtesy keeping your distance. I myself have never said a word against you and have sent this in private with no intention of making it public. What you do is up to you. I cannot be looking over my should waiting for people like you to pounce on some sylable out of place therefore except for pictures that are totally and 100% mine with my copyright emblazened across the front of them. All posts will be made privatly and you (and others like you) will no longer be allowed to view them. Enjoy your life. | |
To which my reply is this --- That is fine, disconnect from me if you like. No problem. No one is forcing you to stay connected. I did not "come after you," I simply read posts that came across my friends' feed list. I also did not take pleasure in any hurt my comment about copyright infringement may have caused you, but I still stand by my decision to point out stolen content when I see it. I am glad that you are now only posting your original content, I wish more gatherites would follow suit. Your response to my comment is what invited the drama, not my comment alone. Regards, and I do plan to enjoy my life.
So, what has honesty cost you?
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Comments: 34
Some people cannot take criticism. They get defensive and personally attack the person making the comments. It's a shame, since it's a good chance for us to learn more.
This person probably had no idea that she'd done anything wrong. She probably doesn't realize it now. Hopefully, others, like me will have learned better.
hugs 2 ya
You know they make a big stick about fair game. But what if someone stole a precious photo or post of theirs and added it to a fiar use website or send through email. I bet they would understand what it feels like to have their stuff stole and know why people are so willing to teach about copyright infringement as well.
"Oh My GOD people can be so Cruel" I know you didn't do anything wrong"
Comments to a person's post who has just been caught with a copyright theft and wants sympathy makes me think maybe every one should re- read the TOS (terms of service) for Gather. Obviously most never read them when they join.
As most of us know it says if its yours you can post it. If you didn't write it or take the photo, don't post it. Simple as that.
My husband and I paid thousands of dollars to an author because a teacher who worked for us photocopied part of a text book and used it in classes we sponsored. pretending she wrote it. Let me tell you that was one lesson learned the hard way. We fired the teacher, made sure we approved all teaching materials in the future but still paid through the nose because the teacher worked for us.
Gather smartly has covered themselves and said if you post it, we are not liable for it and you are in the TOS. Trust me, someday some person posting something off the internet is going to get slapped with a copyright theft law suit and then then they will be doing more than just whining about it.
I'm with you 100% Heidi when we're taking copyright theft and if I see it, I'm going to say something too.
I had to have my attorney draft a cease and desist letter to a CLIENT of mine. He refused to pay for the design work that I had done, but then took the PDFs that I had sent for approval to MY printer to get printed. Of course they called and told me! I mean seriously? Do you think I am that stupid? The only reason we weren't awarded significant damages was because they were never printed or distributed (proving intent to profit) --- guess my printer should have notified me AFTER they delivered the product! Oh well... Oh, and then the client threatened to call the POLICE on me because they wanted a disk with the artwork on it (but didn't want to pay for it!) Yeah, that's intelligence! I bet that would make the dumbest 911 calls ever list! I told them that, hello, the police don't handle civil disputes... duh?!?
Yes, Lora, you deleted my comment because it rationally explained my answer to a question that you asked. I don't wish to be even 'gather friends' with someone who will disregard what I have to say because it doesn't suit them. If you really didn't care you wouldn't have sent me a PM telling me that I was childish for disconnecting.
Yes, *fill in your name here*, it should be done in a civil manner, without humiliating the offender. If it can't be done in a civil manner it should be reported to Gather and the Support Team will deliver the message.
We do keep in mind the fact that people each have their own perspective on what constitutes feedback vs. criticism vs. bullying vs. harassment. And they each have their own perspective on whether a violation is "more wrong" or "less wrong" than the way it is reported. That's what keeps administering and enforcing guidelines such a challenging job.
I would like to reiterate the fact that Gather uses care and objectivity when reviewing reported items. We strive to be fair and to educate members through the process. And we strive to lead by example.
MaryAnne Flynn, Apr 14, 2009, 2:00pm EDT
Make sure you aren't as offensive as you accuse others of being
Being a jerk will cause you to lose friends quicker than "honesty".
Subject potential copyright infringement
Sent Apr 10 2009, 12:12 PM EDT
I was just wondering if you created or took the pictures that are in your photo albums? Several of them look professional and before any accusations are thrown around in public, I wanted to ask you privately if you own the copyright on the cell phone pics and the other artwork in your "others" folder. If you have permission from the original creator, feel free to let me know that also and you should add it to your postings (and give credit and possibly a link to the original artist) otherwise you postings violate copyright law. Again, not accusing you of KNOWINGLY stealing them, just wondered how you found them and if you have permission... Regards --- Heidi
So how did this person respond? Instead of privately emailing me to tell me they indeed did own the copyrights to the artwork posted, this person posted an article in which she named me and basically ranted about me and my knowledge of the copyright laws. Her article has since been removed because Gather management deemed it harrassment. Oh, and she still has two photos up that she admits are not her work.
I think in both the instances (the comment that was deleted and this private email) I have not even in the slightest used humiliation or been offensive as I have pointed out possible copyright infringement. The problem is that most of the people who have it pointed out end up being so offended because they know they are wrong. For now I will report copyright infringement to the copyright holder directly when the holder can be found, and I will continue to privately email people first, and then publicly if the content isn't removed or explained.
And as far as I can tell, on Gather, "being a jerk" means doing anything other than giving automatic 10 ratings to every post, telling you exactly what you want to hear and being a "yes" woman. Sorry, if you think I was a jerk, but I don't answer to you as being a jerk isn't against the law (whereas copyright infringement actually is). You will have to leave it up to the Holy Spirit to convict me of my jerkiness...
The article was removed for using your name, I'm sure.
Sorry, if you think I was a jerk,
I didn't even suggest that I thought you were being a jerk. That defense mode suggests that you are questioning yourself on being a jerk.
You will have to leave it up to the Holy Spirit to convict me of my jerkiness...
No, actually YOU will. I don't go around convicting people, or make it my business to seek out jerks, plagiarists, or various other offenders. Some people enjoy that sort of thing... know what I mean ;-)
You don't have anyones name out there.
People who "disconnect" because they don't like a remark are childish indeed!