Saturday, January 2, 2010

Is that my image on your blog?!





Well its a new year and my first post of the year.

Unfortunately, this is not a fun post for me. I have created a new linked image and put it in my side bar. Over the last 2 weeks I have been on a lot of different blogs and seen so many creative beautiful places here on the internet. Each person spends hours of time creating a spot that is unique and reflective of their own personality. I know that, I too, have spent many, many hours (my husband will attest to this) creating scrap-blog pages that I use for images. I spend a lot of time on my photos, setting them up and editing them. It is not only an investment of my own creative resources but also my personal finances.

Keeping this in mind, you can imagine how shocked I was when I came across a blog that had copied and pasted one of my images and was using it on her sidebar without asking me or even linking back to my blog. I am going to assume that this person simply is new to blogging and does not realize that any image created on any blog is copyrighted to that blog owner. I'll also assume that she did not see my copyright statement at the bottom of my blog. That is why I am putting the image above at the top of my sidebar.

The law is very clear. It is considered private, intellectual property. This has happened to me once before, but I didn't say anything because I was intimidated. But this time I decided that I just could not let it go. The funny thing is that if she would have asked, I know that I would have been very flattered and would have said "Sure, just link back to me."

So, I will spell out the proper blog etiquette here in no uncertain terms. If you would like to use an image on a blog, simply ask the blog owner. IF the owner says its okay, use the image and create a link back to the blog that you took it from. Also, it is best to give written credit on your blog somewhere for where you got the image. This is simply common courtesy. If you use an idea (i.e. recipe or craft idea) from someone's blog, simply let them know, give them credit on your post and provide a link back to their site and origianl post.

Having gotten that out of my system let me say we're all on the honor system here in blog land. I also want to say I really love and treasure all the interaction and every comment that I receive. I love blogging and hope that this post is read with the intent that it was written.

Happy New Year Everyone!


14 comments:

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh gosh girl, I'm so sorry this happened. Hopefully, they are new to blogging and just don't understand the honor system. You have one beautiful blog and I can see where you spend a lot of time putting your personal touch into it. Thank you for swinging by and saying hello... Happy New Year
hugs ~lynne~

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Liz, I do believe that there are rules that apply that others may simply not be aware of. However, HOWEVER....if they ARE and continue to violate copyrights, then that is just wrong. Most bloggers are polite and know the proper etiquette. And girl, sometimes we just have to say it like it is, which you did with grace and class. I hope that this resolves your issues.

But....Happy New Year!

xoxo
becky

Decor To Adore said...

Here! Here! Imagine my suprise when I purchased a magazine and found my photographs with NO link back to me. I wrote the publisher immediately!

There is also a very big blog that has followers by the 1000's that took several of my Christmas tutorials and said that they were her own. Sadly for her, many of her readers are also my readers and they let her know that the jig was up.

I have created my new blog header on picasa using their mosaic tool. It is free and pretty user friendly.

By all means I think you should post your copyright at the top of the page and shame on the bloggers that don't use common courtesy.

Unknown said...

Thanks Laura! :)

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Sorry you had this happen to you. I imagine someone has probably picked up a picture of mine somewhere and I just don't know it. Sometimes though I wonder if people really READ. I hope the sign takes care of the problem.

Debra Howard said...

So sorry this happened to you. Hope your issue is resolved soon. You have a beautiful blog and I enjoy it so much. I guess there are some who do not know the rules of etiquette on this. I spent time searching for etiquette rules when I first started blogging. Many I did not find and then there were others that I did due to some similar posts like yours. They were so appreciated as I am sure yours will be too.
Debbie

Nanette said...

I hope your sign works. I do notice them on other people's blogs so maybe that will help. I have thought about doing a sidebar thing on mine, mainly because I post quite a bit on my granddaughter and would hate to see her picture elsewhere. Good post!
Valerie

xinex said...

Sorry someone did this to you and although not right, you should feel flattered because you have a beautiful blog and someone got tempted to steal some of your pretty pictures...Christine

Nanette said...

Okay, I did it Liz, I put something on my sidebar. Please let me know if I should add anything else. Thanks for motivating me!
Valerie

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Sorry this has happened to you I have read where it has happened to others also. My photos/creations are not quality, but I would hate to think someone would use anything without my permission and/or linking back to my blog. I am pretty sure any idea/recipe, etc. that I have referred to, I have linked back to and if could not get it to link I still type in the name of their blog. If I missed a time, I hope someone would bring it to my attention. For some reason when on Firefox when composing, I can't get it to link and have to switch to IE - working on that.
Have you contacted the person?

Lisa said...

So I just went back and I am glad to say I have not swipped any of your images! I usually only take vintage postcards and when they are offered. All of yours I am not familiar with so I'm pretty sure I did not get any of yours. I have a cd of every season/holiday so I really have enough I don't need any more. I know people must but why would you take a photo (yours are great). I use my own silly home stuff and my own pictures (not the best). I am sorry you are having trouble and I do try to not grab. WOW I just read other comments and this is a really bad problem. Sorry people don't just link to you for others to see. Hope it stops!
Hugs, Lisa

Melissa Miller said...

Liz I have heard of this happening before but I have never seen it yet. I'm so sorry it happened to you twice. Yikes!

Your new blog design is gorgeous!
I just adore it!

Thank you very much for your kind visit today.

Have a great week. ~Melissa :)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Yes, if it is in print copyright laws are suppose to protect you but in this world of copy and paste we all probably need to post our copyright procedures. So sorry this happened.

Take care and have a fantastic day!!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Liz, I'm sorry someone has done that. Makes me glad I don't have images worth of copying!! I think you did a good job of making your point, and I'm glad you did it. laurie