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I’m really frustrated and angry to see not only my kits, but several others from blog trains and various stores being pirated and posted on other sites. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me; it makes me wonder if designing is worth it. I keep my prices reasonable for store kits and offer quite a few freebies. What a disappointment to have someone come along and steal my stuff to offer to others and claim as their own.
The sad part: this ongoing piracy/stealing will make designers – well, at least this one – rethink how much they/I want to do, especially as it relates to freebies that people can steal for nothing. It doesn’t matter if I sell my work or offer it as freebie – it is MY work. The same is true for other designers – their designs belong to them.
Here’s part of what my TOU (terms of use) document says: “You may recolor or resize items in my kit for your projects, but you may NOT claim any of them as your own creations (altered or unaltered) or redistribute any of the individual items to others. Do NOT upload any of my files to any websites or provide my direct download links on your blog or elsewhere. Direct people to my blog address for all downloads.” Is that not clear enough? What more do I need to say?
Do me a favor: if you are taking my work and posting it elsewhere and/or claiming it as yours, stop! It’s called stealing. And don’t come back to my blog or store ~ you’re not welcome here! For the majority of you: sorry you had to listen to my rant. Thanks for your support and integrity; you make the time and money I spend to design and put kits together worth it.
27 comments:
Very upsetting to hear Maurine.
So sorry to hear that people are taking credit for your hard work and incredible talent!
The lack of integrity and ethical behaviour is so lacking in society! I really appreciate your designs. I'm afraid I don't post what I use because I'm just beginning, but I enjoy reading your blog--even rants. Don't give up. We all need to figure out ways to keep cyber space honest. Unfortunately I don't have any ideas except to list the pirating sites and try to put the word out to stay away.
That's terrible! You must be so angry. I do not know the solution but I know many good, honest people will be very sad if it puts you off designing! I do not understand the mentality of people who would take pleasure from pretending that they created these things - they know they didn't, they know they have no talent of their own!? If I ever see anything I think is yours where I think it shouldn't be, you can be sure I'll drop you a line at once. Are you able to list the sites so we can avoid them or will that cause trouble?
I just heard of this recently while reading posts on a store's forum. I think it's deplorable and despicable. As a customer/fan, I've found the digi-designers to be SO generous and giving and to have such hard-earned, beautiful work stolen like that is so NOT right. These site should be publicized and punished.
I don't blame you for ranting. It upsets me too to hear about it because it takes a lot of hard work for you to designers to create the kits that you do and without you we wouldn't be digi scrapping. Thanks for all that you do and I hope these that are stealing will stop or get prosecuted.
It is so heartbreaking to me that we live in a society where people feel they can take others time and talent and claim it as their own. I am so sorry for your frustrations! I agree with some of the other comments, if it is possible to list some of the sites (if you know) that we should avoid. Let us help you (the designers) keep our eyes open and report immediately when we see these disgraces.
Thank you for all of your hard work and talent and please know that we do so appreciate all of your work and generosity!
It just makes you wonder if there are more crooked people out there then not. My family is getting stabbed in the back...by a crook! and it sucks. Sorry for you to have to experience the "WORLD". Let's all try to take a step back and breathe!
I for one appreciate your work...THANK YOU!!!
Ooooh! I hope none those nasties found your stuff from hopping over from my place. :( Some will never appreciate the generosity of you designers, but I do. Thanks for all give to us. Chin up!!
Sorry that this has happened to you and other designers who take time and effort to create/design for those of us who can't. I think that a probable solution would be to name and shame the perpetrators and the pirating sites. God bless!
I am very sorry for the bad feelings this people are bringing to you. I am so clueless about designing, but I can tell how an artist feels when her work is stolen. Remember that everything we do, we pay it here and in the afterlife. Those pirates will receive what they deserve, sooner or later.
You can be sure all the blessings that come with a simple thank you are yours and nobody can steal those from you.
With a big hug hoping it will give you some comfort... =)
Sophie
I saw that link. I don't design but it made me sick thinking about all the designers whose stuff was being sold not knowing about it. I buy only from the designer or stores they list on their blog. I'm ashamed to say alot of people have no morals.
Sorry to hear about that. Is it taking place out of the USA? People will always steal and take advantage of others...I know your stuff and I am all over everyday, and have not seen it. Would like to know who it was...Love all your stuff. Thank you for everything you do.
I agree with all the comments, but especially about naming the sites/blogs of people who are doing this. Stealing is stealing whether it be actual goods or virtual goods. I LOATHE thieves!!!! The scrap community is choc a block full of wonderful people, and it really makes me aggro to know that even here we are not safe from these piranhas. Karma will get them sooner or later. Big hugs to you .. xxx
I am so sorry this is happening to you! I make sure when ever I use your kits. ( I use them very often) I always give you credit if I post my pages anywhere. You do an amazing job! =) Could it still be worth it for all of the wonderful ladies that are honest and appriciate you? =) I hope the stealing will stop...
I am so sorry to hear that people would do such a thing. You do wonderful work! And you are so generous! I truly appreciate what you do. Hang in there!
I am so sorry that this is happening, Maurine! It makes me so angry! If the digiscrap community can find a way to end this, I will jump on wholeheartedly! I can design, so I rely on talented women like you who can to make my pages of memories look beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your talent! I am so honored to be on your CT! Thank you for your gift, time, creativity and efforts.
Maurine - I am finding this post a little late - so sorry. I am angry and sad as well. We "connect" with the designers we follow by reading about their lives and sharing in their delight as they post new creations. And we win with frequent free gifts as well. I think it is about time that the Scrapbooking community unites on this. The sites of the pirates should be posted and we should boycott them. If they are inundated with negative comments and then left out to dry they would learn very quickly that none of us really appreciates them in the community. Sorry - I did my own ranting!:) Love and Hugs
There seems to be a lot of this going on... I just want to say thanks. I love your designs. You do beautiful work. Hopefully this can be sorted out one way or another.
I probably won't make much sense because I am so FURIATED about all of this but here we go... There are no words for un-honest people! People who claim someone elses blessed gift from GOD as their own is terrible more sadly they not only claim to have made them their selves but they offer them to others as their own work!? It is so heartbreaking to know that their are so many un-honest people in this world. I don't have the funds to buy my own things for creating, so I collect the designs that all of you AH~MAZING designers offer for free. You all are generous enough to offer some of your desings for free to us that can't do it themself, the least we non-designers can do is respect your wishes as designers and go by the rules in your TOU's. I pray that HONESTY will someday over power the UN-HONESTY again!! God Bless all designers!! AMEN...
So sorry you are having to put up with that. There are many out here that appreciate all you do!
So sorry this has happened to you! You do such an amazing job, I'd hate for others to try and steal your work. It's frustrating and discouraging! Hang in there and know that you're loved and appreciated!
I'm very sorry to hear how unkind and rude people are by claiming your work as their own. Bad apples!
I have been seeing this frustration on many of the blogs I visit. For the life of me I could not imagine stealing someone else's hard work and beautiful designs to sell for profit for myself and/or to be so talented that I claim to have created them. How do these people live with themselves?? It makes me so upset, almost to the point of tears - I'm not even a designer. Some of my favorite sites have shut down or are in the process of shutting down. I am so sorry tho see that you have had to deal with this too. I wish there was something more that the honest digiscrap community could do in the very act of stopping those who do this. I would sign up for that! All I feel I can do for now is to follow the TOUs and no piracy rules strictly. Thank you for all the very cute, clever, and beautiful kits. I really appreciate your generosity more than I could ever put in words.
You have a right to be angry!! sometimes people can be mean, rude and amoral. Ha! they must not be a very good designer if threy have to steal!! if thye are stealing yours then they have good taste..i'm just sayin'...
but seriously though it is a horrible thing to do.
you are totally right Maurine! I am so saddened to hear this. You are so very generous with freebies and you do keep your kits very reasonable in price while ever so cute and interesting in design. It is stealing, and I would hate to think that the thieves could succeed in making you bitter or discouragred or cynical. Your generous spirit deserves better! Much better!
Getting free little gifts really helps in a society where everything is getting more expensive all the time, and we have had to cut out little things like movies, popcorn, new CD's etc in order to make ends meet. I buy as much as I can afford to, but the freebies give me a fresher feel to inspire me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :)
you are totally right Maurine! I am so saddened to hear this. You are so very generous with freebies and you do keep your kits very reasonable in price while ever so cute and interesting in design. It is stealing, and I would hate to think that the thieves could succeed in making you bitter or discouragred or cynical. Your generous spirit deserves better! Much better!
Getting free little gifts really helps in a society where everything is getting more expensive all the time, and we have had to cut out little things like movies, popcorn, new CD's etc in order to make ends meet. I buy as much as I can afford to, but the freebies give me a fresher feel to inspire me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :)
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