Buzz kill

by brae  

I recently discovered VK.com (very much like Facebook) and found well over 150 of my images posted by users on that site many without attribution and likely copied from sites other than my own.  One user even put their logo on my photos.  I've sent a DMCA request to the site for what I could find, but there are likely even more and who knows if they will do a thing about it.  I also recognized the work of many other miniaturists on there.  Over the years, I've found my images all over the place (and reported them), but this is by far the worst.

NOTE: If you are a vk.com user, please do not post my images to that site.

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Edit 4/16/15 -- The main user who posted their logo on my work has removed the images volunarily so I've removed reference to that person.  I am still pursuing other posts and making progress.

It should go without saying that no one should put their logo on my work, but many have done so and not just on any one website.  Please do not put your logo or name on my work.

18 comments

Comment from: Blondie [Visitor]
This is extremely frustrating. The Internet is the new wild west, and it's incredibly irritating that we can't have more control/power. GRR.
04/09/15 @ 14:23
Comment from: Lynn [Visitor]
That's disgusting!!! I can't stand theft - of any sort! When it is so obvious like in your situation, you should be able to sue them, quickly and easily. Maybe that would stop this kind on stuff. I'm sorry to hear you are having to go through this!
04/09/15 @ 14:27
Comment from: Nancy [Visitor]  
Soooo sorry to read this! You must be feeling violated in the worst sense of the word. I only hope this won't deter your continued postings...I so very much enjoy & have been thrilled with your return now that the move has been completed. I'm quite new to miniatures & find your postings not only well written with fantastic detail but also you are a constant inspiration to make my minis as perfect as possible
04/09/15 @ 14:53
Urghhh, that's so annoying! I've had a few people nick my photos over the years - the worst being some kid putting a load of my custom model horse photos into a video on youtube, then, once I'd confronted her about them and asked politely to take them down, got 'no, they're MY horses!' back. I replied with a video of my own - me pointing out all the models that were, remarkably, still on my shelves and not in her possession at all. She still hasn't taken the video down but luckily all the commenter were on my side so anyone who watches it only has to scroll down to see that they don't belong to them. Still, I'd rather they weren't up there in the first place. :(
04/09/15 @ 15:17
Comment from: Wanda [Visitor]
Brae, this is so concerning. I'm not familiar with the site either, must have been under the same rock as you...lol. I tried going to the site, but it wanted to set up an account or access my Facebook info, which I didnt want to do either. We're you able to visit the site without a login.
04/09/15 @ 18:45
Comment from: Barbara [Visitor]
So wrong. Given my line of work, I'm no longer surprised by the poor choices some people make, just dismayed. I don't what recourse you have in this matter (if any), but be reassured that your wonderful work is and will always be unique.
04/09/15 @ 18:56
Comment from: brae [Member]
Yes, I could see the images without a login. They wanted to me login to file a complaint, but at this point I haven't done that. I've sent an email to the contact address. I should not have to join a site to make them take down content that belongs to me.
04/09/15 @ 19:26
Comment from: The Grandmommy [Visitor]  
I am disgusted! What sleezeballs, not only taking someone's work, but claiming it as their own. How were you able to see the pictures may I ask? I don't want to become a part of them in order to check for any of mine. I would threaten with legal action if I were you. 150+ is a lot of pictures.
04/09/15 @ 22:48
Comment from: 12Create [Visitor]
Such a cheek, especially putting a logo on your photos. I'm always so paranoid about not breaching copyright and trying to give credit to anyone if I even just quote a few words from someone. I don't know how someone could have the cheek to do this.
04/09/15 @ 22:50
Comment from: brae [Member]
I do an occasional image search on the more popular images and find sites where my images are being displayed. I was then able to search further to find more of my work. What bothered me about this site is that often the poster would copy all of the images of a tutorial or post. They did link back to me most of the time, but copying an entire post of photos isn't right. Then there's the person putting their logo on my work, which is beyond wrong. There is no way to explain how they feel that's okay to do. Yes, I might be painting the entire site as bad when bad apples are to blame, but the content theft is so widespread I asked them to take all of my images down. Since it's a foreign site, I'm not hopeful.
04/09/15 @ 23:11
Comment from: azteclady [Visitor]
Content stealing is rampant, unfortunately--I'm very sorry they have done it to you, Brae. I have recently become aware that a number of my book reviews have been plagiarized--or at least copied--to a number of file sharing sites. I imagine the intent is to promote downloads of the works reviewed. Thing is, like in this case with your images, they want me to register before I can contact anyone. Which I refuse to do. They guy who writes the Plagiarism Today site has some suggestions on why this is and suggest contacting the host instead. I am not affiliated with him in any way, but I am looking for ways to get my own content off file sharing/pirating sites, and I'm looking for all the help I can get. Here's the page I'm looking at: https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/stopping-internet-plagiarism/ Good luck, Brae.
04/10/15 @ 04:09
Comment from: Daphne K [Visitor]
Ugh, I'm so sorry Brae this is happening. :( It's frustrating to see one's work and photos being posted somewhere else (without your knowledge) -- and then the person claims it's their photos or work. Alot of times, it's because people assume the original owners won't find out what they did.... :(
04/10/15 @ 04:51
Comment from: Pat [Visitor]
I agree this is egregious. Keep us posted on how this works out. I do know that when I see your work on Pinterest, I look for your logo. If it is missing, I leave a comment that it is yours. I didn't know that one could remove a logo or watermark. I guess my tech skills are not tech afterall.
04/10/15 @ 06:40
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thanks for all the support. :D You *can* remove a watermark with various photo editing tools and little know-how, but this was the addition of a watermark to my photos, which is very easy to do.
04/10/15 @ 07:24
Comment from: brae [Member]
It seems like a lot of the source of trouble is Tumblr. While the original poster gave me credit, people all over are hotlinking from Tumblr without any identifying remarks. So, eventually, the trail gets lost and my images end up at the far corners of the earth. I might have to request my images be removed from Tumblr as well. I don't think most people intend any harm when they post on Tumblr or Pinterest or the like, but the images quickly move throughout the internet without any link back to me when done so. It's a catch-22 since I do love miniatures and blogging about them.
04/10/15 @ 07:36
Comment from: Janes [Visitor]
Well with great power comes great...stealing? I dunno I almost give up on the whole process. I think its a sh**** thing people do but also its quite sad when they fell the need to claim others work as thier own or use shady methods of posting. Its almost the digitl world folding in on itself. People cant be happy with who they are..they have to project this "self" image that is all producion value.. I think I might start adding little digital piles of poo in my shots..think they will want to copy those? &#59;)
04/10/15 @ 12:31
Comment from: Pepper [Visitor]
This is really bad news. Like you said, sometimes someone posts a picture and gives credit but the second, third, fourth...don't bother to find the source. It's particularly annoying given your disclaimer is right there at the top of your blog. I'm sorry this has happened and I hope the site has the decency to remove your work =0(
04/10/15 @ 12:36
Comment from: brae [Member]
Considering I once saw graffiti carved into the underside of fungus, I never put anything past people anymore. |-|
04/10/15 @ 12:53


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