I had to chime in. I apologize if I sound awry, I actually mean to sound sarcastic! :)

Many writers, including those employed by big online newspapers and blogs, need images for their articles. For those of us who have the capability and talent to make images, this means a possible business arrangement that can work for both us.

My most often stolen image :( —————->

But when writers decide to just come to your blog, etsy store or site and save an image from your store into their computers, because they intent to use it on a article, the least you can hope for is that they leave your watermark intact. But when the watermark is maliciously removed and no attribution is made, that is copyright infringement.

I realize being a writer doesn`t mean you automatically know what copyright infringement entails. But for Pete`s sake, educate yourselves! Even better, what about asking before taking something that is not yours? How do you know is not yours? If you didn`t make it, bought it or inherited it, then it`s not yours. 

Although this didn`t happen to me, it did happen to some whose work I recognized. They truncated her image where her signature would be. The writer never mentions from where the image was acquired or who is the author of the image. That`s right writers! Images have authors!

To put it in better terms, an illustrator or graphic designer makes these images to make money. Using the images without permission or attribution is tantamount to me, a designer, copying and pasting your article on my blog without paying you or saying you wrote it. I take all the credit and give you none of the money. That is both stealing and copyright infringement.

I really could go on and on as I am very passionate about this subject. Many have been the times I have been copied. So next time you are looking through Google Images, and you click on the image and go to the site that owns the images, ask to see if you can use it. The owner will thank you!


by | 4 Comments

4 Comments on Writers Beware This is Copyright Infringement

  1. Je m'appelle Cynthia.
    April 15, 2010 at 1:23 PM (15 years ago)

    All I can say is … that sucks.
    Is there a French way to say that?

  2. Elaine Biss Designs
    April 15, 2010 at 1:24 PM (15 years ago)

    Oh yes Tout droit réservés! hehehe

  3. Paulette Designs Inc.
    April 17, 2010 at 5:03 PM (15 years ago)

    Ok my lovely, you know I have to chime in on this. Many is the time that Elaine has come to my rescue on just this sort of thing..bless her…..images, designs, and yes TEXT…seem to have “take me” written all over them for some reason….in fact, when you post a new design or even your text, it is copyrighted to you. Yes YOU the originator !! Beware us…this group that has to stay vigilant in making sure you don’t have the disrespect in taking and using our images with no credit or attribution. I hope Elaine will speak out next on the “I can do that too” syndrome, so prevalent in Etsy and Zazzle !! or Making derivative designs of ones work. loves to you all, paulette

  4. Elaine Biss Designs
    April 17, 2010 at 5:27 PM (15 years ago)

    Absolutely!!! It`s almost as if it`s ok to take an image because it`s on the web. Well I have news for you thieves, NO IT IS NOT! and There are many attorneys willing to take you on, thieves.
    Thank you Mademoiselle Paulette, as always bright and insightful!