Saturday, July 18, 2009

Clause for thought

Beware the Manx cat they punch above their weight


A quick monochrome. As some of you know I've has bigger fish to fry, so to speak and time is needed elsewhere.Here is a cute kitty, a Manx cat I found outside the old swimming pool. Looks so meek and mild doesn't it? Watch out though. This kitty did his duty, purred, preened and nuzzled me.I got several shots before the back arched and he had quite clearly had enough, hissed at me and went on his way before I could get him to sign a disclaimer to use his image today. Hey cat if you're out there I owe you a fee which I'll quite happily pay you if you contact me. Fairs fair. I'm using your image, least I could do is pay you. Which leads me nicely to the next paragraph.


Apologies for the small image. I can no longer show large images due to them being stolen. As you know photography is my living and each time someone uses an image of mine illegally then I lose money. You wouldn't go into a shop and steal the products so you shouldn't do it on the net. That is what copyright is for, to show ownership. No hidden clauses, it's that simple. Basically a multi national company, run by a very famous entrepreneur has used my image without my permission, offer of payment and have even deleted my copyright off the image. I am also not happy with the article the image is associated with and would not have let them use it for the article in question. Can't say anymore here for now, but you can check my Facebook status and scroll down the posts to find out who it is and what I am doing about it and the new group formed. The kitty above represents me the underdog, a Manx lass( by default of living here not born here but representing my island town ) taking on the big guys. The gloves are off the claws are out. The cat fight has begun. It concerns you if blog with images too if you don't want them stolen.


Not a cheery post for me but I hope you understand why. Thanks as always for reading.More monochromes from a bunch of us can be seen here.

67 comments:

Mojo said...

For those of us who do not facebook, this remains a mystery. I'd love to know who the bahstad be, so I know if he's pinched one of mine too.

Honestly, you'd think their legal department would have advised them better.

erin said...

love the kitty ^..^
let us know what we can do to assist you in the battle.
hugs

Louis la Vache said...

Re the kitty:
MEOW!
;-)

Isn't it odd how the big guys don't mind filching from us, but woe to us should we filch from them!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Mojo- I understand about not using Facebook, just that's were the main info is and the group I have started. Next week my My World post will name and shame the site, with a link to the image and article. I regret it has come to this but so be it.

Sam J said...

It has happened to me many times. You got to give it all you got. Good luck, plan well, get backing.

Elisabeth's bright side said...

Whiskie, my editor, is all worked up about your problems and has a special post for you to see so you know that you have some moral backup.
ood luck!

gogouci said...

She looks like a healthy mouser to me. Cute still.

chrome3d said...

Internet is a big black void where everything is free and no money ever comes back. I would like to get some money out of there too but it seems so difficult, unless I was a chief in Google or something.

Small City Scenes said...

Miss Mouser is watching you! Beware.
I hope you get the robbers and get them good. MB

Saretta said...

Babooshka, that really stinks!

jabblog said...

I hope you get lots of support and even more success in dealing with these reprobates. Name and shame but seek the advice of a good lawyer (friend if possible) first.

mrsnesbitt said...

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfectly written!
((((((HUGS))))))

Mo said...

I am stunned that a company like Virgin would use you images. No one on the Island behind this is there?

Birdman said...

Let sleepin' kitties lie. Ever seen a angry manx?????? Ha! Good Luck!

eamon@ewmphotography said...

Looking fwd to hearing more and to seeing how things progress Babooshka - good luck with it.

Eamon

George said...

I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your images being stolen. I can understand why someone would want them -- they are all wonderful -- but to use them without permission is plain wrong. Good luck in your battle with the thief!

brattcat said...

I, too, will be awaiting news of further developments, Babooshka. Excellent image, excellent metaphor. Good luck in reaching a fair resolution.

Buck said...

Wishing you good luck with the struggle. Nice shot of the cat - he seems a very approachable fellow.

Esther Garvi said...

Love the kitten!

Kim said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kim said...

Our Manx is so bad tempered. This one looks so mild.

Snap said...

Love the kitty picture. So sorry about the stolen image. Glad you have put the gloves on and will fight. Go underdog!

Kate said...

I am curious...how did you find out that your photo was being used?

It constantly amazes me that some people, and apparently companies, are so cavalier about stealing, plagarism, from the internet.

Perhaps you should introduce them to the cat!

Ziggy Stardust said...

Thank you for visiting Sasha, this is a beatiful blog!

Anne and Sasha

Brooke said...

What a handsome cat! And I'm sorry to hear of your troubles with images being stolen from you. To go as far as to delete your copyright off the photo is just so wrong.

Adrienne Zwart said...

Babooshka, I'm sorry to hear that this still isn't resolved. I'll be checking in to see how your fight progresses. We're cheering for you!

(Cute kitty, by the way.)

Unknown said...

Evidently there are people who believe because something is found on the net, its there for the taking. Sorry it happened to you. Hopefully it does get resolved in your favor.

Müge said...

Dear Babooshka,

I support you in your legal fight against that irresponsable multinational company. One thing I can't support to hear from people around me is "If you put your photos on your blog, you must accept that they will be used by others". High amounted indemnities will make people understand and respect the notion of copyright I hope.

Best regards,

Müge from Istanbul

Rob said...

Perhaps a watermark smack dab in the middle of the photo of your very own personally designed logo on your blog entries. I've always wondered why people or organizations would want to steal other's works. I've never really given this a thought as my stuff is, well, amateurish. Good luck with the cat brawl, give them what for!

Thumbelina said...

A lovely image for critters (spoken like a true cat lover) and you go get em girl. Power to you.

Unknown said...

He's posing quite happily for you ...rather a handsome looking lad !!

I don't understand why an organisation, like the one you are fighting, would stoop so low. Really petty on their part and it is theft, plain and simple!! Shame on them !

Unknown said...

Go get him girl. All your fans are behind you I'm sure. The case is a simple black and white one. Just like the moggy.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Hi all - The image was not one from this blog but a website of sales photographs. So it was quite clear that it was a business website advertising my images for sale not images to steal. It doesn't matter is images are for sale or not, theft is still theft. Take care of your own.

Bradley Hsi said...

It is good that you actually find out that they are using your photo and now you can do something about it. They are really not very smart. I will be waiting for your my world post to know what is happening now.

ninja said...

That's a one happy fur ball. Great crittering. See you on nest Myworlding.

Jane Hards Photography said...

To the anonymous spammers out there leaving those nonsense comments. Don't waste your time I just delete you.

Janet said...

But he looks so sweet!

Jim Klenke said...

The kitty looks very cute. Still no word huh?

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

pounce on 'em kitty - burst their balloon!

Jilly said...

Crittering is a good word! Love your Manx cat image. I suppose you know that your Mark Cavendish got disqualified yesterday yet the commentators didn't think he did anything wrong. There will be an enquiry I'm sure!

Virginia said...

Good grief. Do they have any idea who they are messing with? Go get 'em B!!!V

kRiZcPEc said...

lovely cat. :)

Unknown said...

GO GET THEM GRIL. 100% behind you.

Reader Wil said...

I love the cat, we had asimilar one! I hate the theft of images. I don't think it'll happen to one of mine, but I would be furious if it ever happened. About the Chinese comment: several weeks ago I had about 8 of these all spread over various posts even those of years ago. I didn't like them at all.

Gretchen said...

I do completely understand! I also make a living with my camera and have had images stolen and used in magazines without my permission. Ticks me off. I call and complain, "Oh we're sorry" but no check, no correction, no nothing. Good luck on your battle!

Anonymous said...

The ideal monochrome cat.

Rune Eide said...

I'll side with Aileni and call it an ideal b & w cat.

PS Good luck with your fight against the Big Guys, but how large (or small) pictures can one use before photoblogging becomes ridiculous? I use landscape breath of 800px. That does not give a large printed picture.

Pietro Brosio said...

Very fine image of the kitty. The black and white is really excellent for this composition.

Jane Hards Photography said...

RuneE - The image was not taken from my blog but from my sales website and these companies are ruining for everyone to put a decent sized image.

annalarssonphotography said...

Things like that suck big time.

I'm all behind you!

Great mono as always :)
Have a nice week!

Anna

Anonymous said...

Sorry for the unpleasant experience - both being hissed by a cat and by a rotten company! Feel for you!

Ruth said...

I don't sell photos for a living, but I have received several requests from publications wanting to use pictures from my Flickr site. I am always impressed by the honesty of those who contact me. Every business has to deal with theft, and that is unfortunate. Good luck!

Torsdag 1952 said...

I konw cats like this one, you can't pay them, just serv them a dinner.

... and this is a special b+w for dogs, I think they are not able to see colours ;-) !!!

... and hallo from "Frau Böhme" my B+W blog-cat.

Anonymous said...

I think your Manx cat is perfect for this post....
Stick your claws in and don't let go....

p.s. the jugular is a good place to start....good luck....

Anne said...

Nice monochrome cat :-)

Nice week from Anne in Norway.

Barbara said...

I sympathise with you - I only post small photos with a low resolution so that they at least cannot be enlarged. To take them from your business site is unforgivable. I look forward to you naming and shaming the culprit.

Anonymous said...

That is so wrong. Good luck. Maybe you should start another blog up about it?

Chuck Pefley said...

Ah, your purring kitty drew me in for a look. Not that I wouldn't stop anyway. Perfect image for your situation. Sharpen your claws and defend your © clause. I assume you've a barrister working with you on this?

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love the image of this little one! He looks laid back, but watch the claws!

All the very best in your battle! I do believe in karma, but sometimes it needs a little nudge!

Greensboro Daily Photo said...

Babooshka: It would nice to learn how to publish images that can't be cut and pasted into someone else's portfolio. It would be nice to have a conscience and act ethically when searching the internet!

Fight, fight, fight for your image!!!

Willard said...

I like the photo very much! Also best of luck in dealing with the theft of your images.

Daryl said...

Well this just stinks like a dirty litter box .. not the photo, the photo thief! I am happy to help if necessary, let me know!

Oskar said...

I'm so sorry someone is taking your pictures. My mom person says that she would be very mad & you should fight hard!

Liz Hinds said...

He has his claws out! You should write to Richard Branson - and the guardian.

jay said...

Damn cheek! I shall go see if I can find you on FB and read who did what, and when!

I always put the copyright notice on my photos for this reason. If they take it off, then at least you have proof that they knew darned well what they were doing and that it was in violation of the law. Should make it easier to prosecute, should you choose to do so.

A greyhound board I belong to has had this problem. Members have found items on eBay with their dogs' images on - it can be upsetting, especially if you then lose the dog and are confronted with his picture on cheap and shoddy goods, being claimed as someone else's work. Many people just don't seem to understand the law regarding copyright. Others just flout it.

Indrani said...

I have sold some images through my blog and was paid well for them and given copyright mentions too.

I wonder if some are being taken away without my permission.

EG CameraGirl said...

Hope you are winning the battle!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin