I just got a complaint from one of my web site clients who had got a heads up saying that one of the photos from her site was stolen and is being used by another breeder in Europe. Any ideas or info about what we could do about this?
Photo belongs to photographer IF he/she has written permission from the owner of the animal that he/she was allowed to take the picture. Third person is definetly not allowed to use the photo if not allowed to. I would ask from police info-phone what to do, if they don't know then would dig into local laws - both your own and other person's home country's. Then point out exact points in email. If there will be no answere and photo will be online after two days I would start more serious action.
In cases where photographs show up on someone else's website without permission, the usual course of action is for the copyright holder to contact the webmaster of the website in the wrong, and request that the photos be removed within a set time period.
If/when that time frame is exceeded, the next step is to contact the webhost of the site in question. (do a whois: http://www.netsol.com) Most webhosts have very clear Terms of Service that specifically address violations of copyright and intellectual property, and a dedicated email contact for complaints of abuse. At that point it's in the webhost's hands...to ask their customer to remove the offending material or risk cancellation of their service without refund.
Does it always work? No. Especially with foreign hosts who may not read English and/or not particularly care. It really depends on the reputability of the webhost.
There are methods you can employ to make image theft less easy (please, though, not the dreaded right-click disable script) such as placing the photo as a background image via css while using a transparent gif as the placeholder (google it)...but these are not foolproof and if all else fails, people will take a screenshot and cut the picture out of that.
You really can't prevent this sort of thing completely. But you can rest assured that most folks who steal images (or writings) have stolen from enough people that they look like schmucks to anyone doing real research.
If I would find only 1 of my pictures on another site I would go to the bottom of this! I myself had to ask many people to use photos of Belgians for Belgians world! Mostly people are happy with "giving" their photos but with maybe some texts who the picture belongs to.
So just take the info you got here and do it, don?t let people steel Photos on the web.
Once I saw someone take a picture (background) with spots (for a Dalmatian web site) I made in Photoshop and used as a background on his/her website. I didn?t want to make a fuzz about that, but I photo is serious steeling!
hunden
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The truth is out there, but so are the lies. - Dana Scully
I had this same thing happen to me about 3 years ago...It was just by chance that this breeder in Europe was posting on a forum and was announcing their upcoming litter...And just cause I love puppy pics and am always researching pedigrees...I clicked on the link to check out their breeding program...Well low and behold...MY dog Tyr's pictures (several), one of Jason, and several of the girls were STOLEN (because that's what it is when there is no premission granted) were plastered all over their site...So I emailed them and told them that I found one of the dogs on their site 'very attractive', and specifically pointed out one particular photo...and asked if they bred/produced him...They replied 'YES' and that they've produced 'many' such pups.? I replied that those were my pics and requested that they take them down...It wasn't just that they were taking the pics...but they were telling potential clients that they produced every one of those dogs...They were profiting from my dogs and the work I put into my dogs and breeding program.? They refused.? I asked them a second time and told them that I would indeed go on every working dog and BSD board/forum and warn people about their 'fraudulent activities'...They still refused and called my 'bluff'...Except I wasn't bluffing.? I did as I said I would.? Within ONE day...all the pics were taken down.
I don't think there is a 100% method of preventing theft Sharon...However, if they don't take the pics down graciously upon your request...I think you as a conscientious person (which I know you are) owe it to the public to warn other unsuspecting 'victims' of any breeders/sellers who are commiting 'fraud'.? I know I would want to know if I was contacting them for a pup.? Theft is theft and it just doesn't matter what country one is from.? It may be more difficult to reinforce internationally...BUT there are things YOU can do...
You may also wish to call their National Kennel Club and speak to someone in charge of these type of infractions.? National Kennel clubs do NOT take things like FRAUD/misrepresentation lightly.
Don't think the 'thieves' would take too well to the threat of possibly losing their membership for life with their Kennel club and the possibility of nevery being able to register any future litters...It's happened here where I am from and I know of people it has happened to in Europe as well.
So there are things you can do....If a direct request doesn't work, or if their server ignores your requests...The problem is that with the former they can ignore you...With the latter...well they can always get another server...If it was me...I would be taking that extra 'step'...but not before giving them fair warning that you will be contacting their National Kennel club as well as publicly warning? unsuspecting 'victims' of their fraud....
Good Luck Sharon.
B
PS...After recently receiving some 'interesting information' about one of my dogs, I am also currently considering working with the National Kennel club of that country w/respect to fraud and theft...So I definitely know how you feel.? I believe Ivan also has had someone basically 'hijack' his website and use it to direct visitors to their own business....I guess we have to deal with all 'kinds'...There's nothing worse than having to deal with a fraud...It's about as low as a person can get...
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"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."
I had a frontpage class last year and one of the first things we learned was how to get a hold of other peoples pictures and even how to bypass the right mouse click.
The pictures on my site are either taken by me, have no copyright or are provided by people and in that case their name/kennel is mentioned.
Saskia
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He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
jdecker is right... the best way to go about it is: first email webmaster if he/she does not remove photos contact webhost.. Most webhosts will at least look into whole thing. If all that doesen?t help use internet and spread the word about photo theft.
Ultramal that sure was not only theft but fraud.. I?m sure you were pissed off like hell... Good idea with pressure.. Internet can create and destroy.
Bye, Raven
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Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong. ~Dandemis
Thanks Raven and yes I was pi$$ed...I really don't know WHY people do it??!!? I mean I have NEVER refused to give permission to another to 'use' my pics as long as I know for what purpose they are using them; they give credit where it's due, and copyrights with it!?
Aside from that...all they have to do is ASK!? How difficult can that be?
AND MOST breeders that I know are like this also.? I mean it takes only one little email; and in most cases EVERYBODY is happy then!? ?
Brigita (who is finding that the more time she spends and gets to know humans...the more she prefers the company of dogs!)?
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"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."
I was looking through the Belgian Shepherd Dog Association Yearbook 2006 and to my suprise I found a photo I took at the Joa Kat Show 2004.
The picture is not on the breeders website so I don't know who took the picture.
Saskia
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He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
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and even how to bypass the right mouse click.
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