Comments on: A Business Warning For Those Who Use Images http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/ Michael Pink Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:10:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Larry Morris http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-761 Larry Morris Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-761 This also should serve as a warning for us that re-use of info on the internet is not free. I had copied an article onto my blog and then gave the writer credit. He found out about it and wanted it removed or paid for. We had a long discussion and he enlightened me on internet copywrite laws. he framed his argument around the fact that posting an article onto your website or blog is similar to taking a book, photocopying it and handing it our to thousands of people. He was ok with me having a direct link to his page with the article as he was given clearer credit and his advertisers benefited. As he stated, he gets paid for his ability to put words together in a meaningful way. When he doesn't get paid he is being robbed. It gets me thinking how many times do I shortcut others to save a buck or two. This robs them of a blessing from God and sets the stage for me to receive the same... This also should serve as a warning for us that re-use of info on the internet is not free.

I had copied an article onto my blog and then gave the writer credit. He found out about it and wanted it removed or paid for. We had a long discussion and he enlightened me on internet copywrite laws. he framed his argument around the fact that posting an article onto your website or blog is similar to taking a book, photocopying it and handing it our to thousands of people.

He was ok with me having a direct link to his page with the article as he was given clearer credit and his advertisers benefited.

As he stated, he gets paid for his ability to put words together in a meaningful way. When he doesn’t get paid he is being robbed.

It gets me thinking how many times do I shortcut others to save a buck or two. This robs them of a blessing from God and sets the stage for me to receive the same…

]]> By: Jeff Chambers http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-762 Jeff Chambers Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-762 Thanks for the information and I appreciate the way you handled yourself. It appears that Getty charged you "because they could" , probably a common "wolf" practice. Word of mouth can be the best form of advertisement....OR THE WORST!! Thanks for the information and I appreciate the way you handled yourself. It appears that Getty charged you “because they could” , probably a common “wolf” practice.

Word of mouth can be the best form of advertisement….OR THE WORST!!

]]> By: Mark Benefiel http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-763 Mark Benefiel Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-763 Micheal, I am a bit surprised by your post. While I understand you need to inform others of bad business practices, your email comes accross as petty. Where is the forgiveness? Who is in the wrong now? The company that was simply enforcing thier copyright laws, and protections, or you for being hot headed and posting to the entire country because you feel you have been wronged. The only one I see here that is in the wrong is you. Sorry but that is how I see it. Given some time to meditate and pray about what happened, I think you probably would not have made this post. It has done nothing for your credability as a servant of God, who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. Micheal, I am a bit surprised by your post. While I understand you need to inform others of bad business practices, your email comes accross as petty. Where is the forgiveness? Who is in the wrong now? The company that was simply enforcing thier copyright laws, and protections, or you for being hot headed and posting to the entire country because you feel you have been wronged. The only one I see here that is in the wrong is you. Sorry but that is how I see it. Given some time to meditate and pray about what happened, I think you probably would not have made this post. It has done nothing for your credability as a servant of God, who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.

]]> By: Keith Shamblin http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-765 Keith Shamblin Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-765 In response to your bad experiences, I thought I would tell a good one and show how it is supposed to be done. I love Clarks Air Cushion shoes. They feel right and I%u2019ve told people about them for years. The last pair had the stitching come apart after (4 years). I took them to a shoe repair and they said it wasn%u2019t repairable. I emailed Clarks, explained the problem (and the age) of the shoes. They emailed me back with a Customer Service number to call. I called it and not only did they replace the shoes, they were OVERNIGHT SHIPPED to me via UPS. What kind of effect did that have on me? Well, I am writing this and that tells the story. Next time you need shoes, try Clarks. Thanks, Keith www.KeithShamblin.com We are here to help! 888 725-6798 In response to your bad experiences, I thought I would tell a good one and show how it is supposed to be done.

I love Clarks Air Cushion shoes. They feel right and I%u2019ve told people about them for years. The last pair had the stitching come apart after (4 years). I took them to a shoe repair and they said it wasn%u2019t repairable.

I emailed Clarks, explained the problem (and the age) of the shoes.

They emailed me back with a Customer Service number to call. I called it and not only did they replace the shoes, they were OVERNIGHT SHIPPED to me via UPS.

What kind of effect did that have on me? Well, I am writing this and that tells the story.

Next time you need shoes, try Clarks.

Thanks, Keith
www.KeithShamblin.com
We are here to help!
888 725-6798

]]> By: Dennis Lombard http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-767 Dennis Lombard Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-767 How about the State of Florida penalizing me $50 plus interest for a $28 arithmetic error on my Sales Tax Return? The Big Bad Brother spirit is widespread in our society now. Don't go there -- just pray for them! How about the State of Florida penalizing me $50 plus interest for a $28 arithmetic error on my Sales Tax Return? The Big Bad Brother spirit is widespread in our society now. Don’t go there — just pray for them!

]]> By: NO, don't want getty image on my back http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-768 NO, don't want getty image on my back Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-768 Royalty free bank images are really tough. It always sounds strange that they don't think of bad word of mouth, especially if the "customer" has a huge newsletter (or blog). I just googled "Getty Image infringement" and get 88K results ... from US, Israel, France, UK, everywhere. Some of them are close to scam, because it's third parties who contact you: email on their letter is something like 4453524424@gettimage.com (and it's not a valid email). When some victims called gettyimage, a real rep. proposed to lower the fine to 25% of the first statement ... well if they issued it! Note for everyone, 2 things: if your website is non commercial, you don't have to pay according to their contract (byt the way, you may even didn't red the contract). if someone UPLOAD on avatar coming from a getty image picture on your website (if you have a forum, ...), you're also in trouble and you'll have to prove that YOU didn't do it and took every legal way to restrain it. --- Why I say this? Looks like some third party businesses uploaded it on some potential victim websites to ask them for money afterward ... in the name of getty image! Getty image strategy may be: Get third parties to track copyright infringment byt EVERY means (in the last case by creating infringment). Let them ask for money, if victim call us, we play the good guys and propose a rebate! You become their "customer" through infringment ... Finally, just a link to help you get images, brothers in Christ: http://www.sxc.hu/ Royalty free bank images are really tough. It always sounds strange that they don’t think of bad word of mouth, especially if the “customer” has a huge newsletter (or blog).

I just googled “Getty Image infringement” and get 88K results … from US, Israel, France, UK, everywhere. Some of them are close to scam, because it’s third parties who contact you: email on their letter is something like 4453524424@gettimage.com (and it’s not a valid email).
When some victims called gettyimage, a real rep. proposed to lower the fine to 25% of the first statement … well if they issued it!

Note for everyone, 2 things:
if your website is non commercial, you don’t have to pay according to their contract (byt the way, you may even didn’t red the contract).

if someone UPLOAD on avatar coming from a getty image picture on your website (if you have a forum, …), you’re also in trouble and you’ll have to prove that YOU didn’t do it and took every legal way to restrain it.

—
Why I say this?
Looks like some third party businesses uploaded it on some potential victim websites to ask them for money afterward … in the name of getty image!

Getty image strategy may be:
Get third parties to track copyright infringment byt EVERY means (in the last case by creating infringment). Let them ask for money, if victim call us, we play the good guys and propose a rebate!

You become their “customer” through infringment …

Finally, just a link to help you get images, brothers in Christ:
http://www.sxc.hu/

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-770 Cheryl Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-770 There are LEGITIMATE ways to ensure that licenses are properly purchased for images that require it and many other sites use them. For example: images have watermarks on them, words written across them or they simply won't download at all until you purchase the proper license. That makes it very clear to the consumer when payment is expected and when it's not. A company that is in the business of selling and distributing images should not make it a practice to allow images to be downloaded for free, even though a fee is required, and then hunt the person down months later with an infringement charge. We spent hundreds of dollars buying images that appeared to require a fee. This particular image did not appear to require one. There are LEGITIMATE ways to ensure that licenses are properly purchased for images that require it and many other sites use them. For example: images have watermarks on them, words written across them or they simply won’t download at all until you purchase the proper license. That makes it very clear to the consumer when payment is expected and when it’s not. A company that is in the business of selling and distributing images should not make it a practice to allow images to be downloaded for free, even though a fee is required, and then hunt the person down months later with an infringement charge. We spent hundreds of dollars buying images that appeared to require a fee. This particular image did not appear to require one.

]]> By: Michael Pink http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-771 Michael Pink Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-771 Mark, I regret that the email came across as petty to you. Just because I have forgiven their conduct doesn't mean I endorse it. It was bad enough in my opinion to warn others. You might remember Paul posting a blog to Timothy (2 Tim 4:14 - 15) where he said, "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom you beware also; for he has greatly withstood our words. You suggested the company was "simply enforcing their copyright laws". Well first of all dear brother, "they" don't have any binding copyright laws. We as a nation do, but they are for all of us and there is no law anywhere on the books that mandates, orders or otherwise requires a payment of $1,000 for an infraction. That was completely arbitrary on their part and I could have fought it. I chose not to fight it because it was my error and it isn't worth worth the wear and tear on the chicken to fight them in court over this. What I was upset about had nothing to do with protecting their copyrights. I endorse that! What I was upset about is that from every other website we have purchased images from, you are automatically blocked from downloading a usable picture. Then when one comes along that says "royalty free" and they let you download it, you don't expect to be dinged $1,000 (a much higher fee than a single year%u2019s usage would have cost). Mark, suppose I had product samples on my book table at the back of the room after doing a seminar and you came along and took one of the samples because you thought because they were a sample, they must be free. I would correct that misunderstanding with you but I wouldn't threaten you with legal action unless you paid me 2 1/2 times the retail price and you still couldn't keep the product unless you paid me an additional amount equal to the full retail. That's what happened to me and I think others reading this may make the same mistake and I still feel quite comfortable giving the warning. As for me being hot headed, well, I confess I was hot headed yesterday when I got their Settlement Demand, but I calmed down and was very kind to the person I spoke with and didn't write the blog until today, after feeling quite calm and sure about this. I did give this issue some time before I posted it precisely because I didn't want to be a hot head. I did post it because I wanted others to be fairly warned. Including you. I do however greatly appreciate you caring enough to post your comments. You are a valued brother in the Lord! Mark, I regret that the email came across as petty to you. Just because I have forgiven their conduct doesn’t mean I endorse it. It was bad enough in my opinion to warn others. You might remember Paul posting a blog to Timothy (2 Tim 4:14 - 15) where he said, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom you beware also; for he has greatly withstood our words.

You suggested the company was “simply enforcing their copyright laws”. Well first of all dear brother, “they” don’t have any binding copyright laws. We as a nation do, but they are for all of us and there is no law anywhere on the books that mandates, orders or otherwise requires a payment of $1,000 for an infraction. That was completely arbitrary on their part and I could have fought it. I chose not to fight it because it was my error and it isn’t worth worth the wear and tear on the chicken to fight them in court over this.

What I was upset about had nothing to do with protecting their copyrights. I endorse that! What I was upset about is that from every other website we have purchased images from, you are automatically blocked from downloading a usable picture. Then when one comes along that says “royalty free” and they let you download it, you don’t expect to be dinged $1,000 (a much higher fee than a single year%u2019s usage would have cost).

Mark, suppose I had product samples on my book table at the back of the room after doing a seminar and you came along and took one of the samples because you thought because they were a sample, they must be free. I would correct that misunderstanding with you but I wouldn’t threaten you with legal action unless you paid me 2 1/2 times the retail price and you still couldn’t keep the product unless you paid me an additional amount equal to the full retail. That’s what happened to me and I think others reading this may make the same mistake and I still feel quite comfortable giving the warning.

As for me being hot headed, well, I confess I was hot headed yesterday when I got their Settlement Demand, but I calmed down and was very kind to the person I spoke with and didn’t write the blog until today, after feeling quite calm and sure about this. I did give this issue some time before I posted it precisely because I didn’t want to be a hot head. I did post it because I wanted others to be fairly warned. Including you. I do however greatly appreciate you caring enough to post your comments. You are a valued brother in the Lord!

]]> By: Chuck Tiedje http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-772 Chuck Tiedje Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-772 Michael - thanks for the "heads up." I do not agree with Mark; it certainly appears as though you did everything possible, before and after the situation, to handle it properly. No where in the Bible did Jesus ever allow himself to be a doormat - he confronted hypocrisy and bad practices and forced the perpetrators to face public scrutiny. You have done the same - THANK YOU! I hope that I will see you in Atlanta next week, at the CFPN meeting. Michael - thanks for the “heads up.” I do not agree with Mark; it certainly appears as though you did everything possible, before and after the situation, to handle it properly. No where in the Bible did Jesus ever allow himself to be a doormat - he confronted hypocrisy and bad practices and forced the perpetrators to face public scrutiny. You have done the same - THANK YOU!

I hope that I will see you in Atlanta next week, at the CFPN meeting.

]]> By: Sean Isaacs http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/2007/01/30/a-business-warning-for-those-who-use-images/#comment-773 Sean Isaacs Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/blog/index.php?p=114#comment-773 Hi Mike, Thank you for your warning and the information provided. I thought Marks' comments were a bit strong. But that is his perception. I appreciate you taking the time to update me on something that I could normally take for granted. Keep up the good work. I guess we should not be suprised by a companies lack of ability to see you as a client and not a one time sale. Hi Mike,
Thank you for your warning and the information provided. I thought Marks’ comments were a bit strong. But that is his perception.

I appreciate you taking the time to update me on something that I could normally take for granted. Keep up the good work.

I guess we should not be suprised by a companies lack of ability to see you as a client and not a one time sale.

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