Re: REF: copyright theft

I think everyone's approach to this may be different.  For 
myself, mine is much different than Laurie.  I consider 
that when I post a photo to the public forum, I am 
relinquishing any idea of a copyright.  I have been 
surprised when any photo of mine has been used, surprised 
when someone requests to use one.  I don't consider myself 
a professional and don't expect remuneration and probably 
would decline it if it were offered (not that I couldn't 
use extra $$ - can't most everyone - but that would imply 
that professional tag which is ludicrous in my case).  
Truthfully, I just haven't cared if someone used something 
I posted.  I really hope I maintain this attitude.  In the 
unlikely event that I ever do take a photo I want to 
restrict to outside usage, it's unlikely I'd post it.

But, unless a person is on record - as I am - with the 
above attitude, it's a good idea to ask permission to use 
a photo.  

Which brings to mind the lady who did ask my permission to 
use one or two of mine for making some kind of card or 
something.  I can't remember who it was, but would love to 
see what you did :).

Donald Eaves
donald@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7b, USA


> >I have received stolen pictures myself. The internet 
community shares 
> >readily even when it is someone elses property they 
are sharing. I put a 
> >request out for pictures of a certain Iris. I got a 
bunch of pictures sent 
> >to me, but they had been taken from other peoples 
websites.
> 
> Thank you, Bob, for making this point.  I freely share 
my own iris photos 
> for the personal enjoyment of others on my website, 
through iris-photos, 
> on the Plants Database at Dave's Garden, and on 
Hortiplex at GardenWeb, 
> *but* I have NEVER relinquished my legal copyright to 
any of my photos, 
> and publication of my photos on those sites does NOT 
equate with making 
> them available on a "free graphics" site and does NOT 
grant permission 
> for commercial entities to steal my work and republish 
it for their own 
> profit!  
> 
> Every year, I find one or more commercial iris sellers - 
typically (but 
> not exclusively) smaller, backyard types - who feel they 
have the right 
> to steal whatever images they want off the web and use 
them to promote 
> their own sales.  When the photos they steal are mine, I 
do NOT respond 
> sweetly. I have settled for a sincere apology and 
immediate removal of my 
> photos in cases of minor infractions, I have requested 
and received 
> compensation in larger cases, I have even had web sites 
shut down where 
> the theft was clearly intentional and malicious. 
> 
> In the years that I have been making my photos available 
for online 
> viewing, I have only ever had one commercial source 
offer compensation 
> for use of my iris photos *before* actually using them 
(thank you, Mike 
> Sutton, for your integrity and professionalism).  Why is 
it that everyone 
> else who has used my photos to promote their own iris 
sales believes 
> theft is fine and dandy???  Would they feel the same if 
I entered their 
> gardens with shovel in hand to help myself?  I doubt it!
> 
> Lest you think I am directing any of this *at* you, Bob, 
please be 
> assured I am not. I was honored to grant you permission 
to use my photo 
> of MYSTERIOUS MONIQUE for your work when you requested 
it last year, and 
> I hope to see it published in your work in the future.  
I very much 
> appreciate your concern with and commitment to 
maintaining copyright 
> integrity, both in your own work and in the work of 
others.  I understand 
> the value of one's own creations.  I wish everyone did.
> 
> All the best,
> 
> Laurie
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----------------
> laurief@paulbunyan.net
> http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
> http://www.angelfire.com/mn3/shadowood/irisintro.html
> USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern MN
> normal annual precipitation 26-27"
> slightly acid clay soil
> 
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