GCU Forum - All Artists

DENISE_132110

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 769

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #60 - Jul 11^th, 2009, 7:37pm

Quote from Ernestine_131365 on Jul 11^th, 2009, 4:45pm:

I can't believe that this is the blaze attitude first taken by GCU! Obviously Corrie, Inge and others whose art had been blatantly stolen felt otherwise. Many of us who have art on GCU have art in many other places - for SALE. If these artists had taken this suggested stand that it's fine to rip off GCU artists as long as there is a GCU widget on your site, I sure would be questioning just how interested GCU is in protecting the artwork of it's biggest profit makers. I feel that attitude is as insensitive as the one taken by the "rip off" blogger.
Sad

'e'

here here ernestine...
i am surprised at the thought too.
one of her followers commented that she couldn't understand why the artists would not want their work shared in a positive way. it seems they have missed the point as well.

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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6566
Gender: female

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #61 - Jul 14^th, 2009, 1:55pm

Quote from DENISE_132110 on Jul 11^th, 2009, 7:37pm:

Quote from Ernestine_131365 on Jul 11^th, 2009, 4:45pm:

I can't believe that this is the blaze attitude first taken by GCU! Obviously Corrie, Inge and others whose art had been blatantly stolen felt otherwise. Many of us who have art on GCU have art in many other places - for SALE. If these artists had taken this suggested stand that it's fine to rip off GCU artists as long as there is a GCU widget on your site, I sure would be questioning just how interested GCU is in protecting the artwork of it's biggest profit makers. I feel that attitude is as insensitive as the one taken by the "rip off" blogger.
Sad

'e'

here here ernestine...
i am surprised at the thought too.
one of her followers commented that she couldn't understand why the artists would not want their work shared in a positive way. it seems they have missed the point as well.

GCU stands behind our artists' image rights and will implement anything w/in reason to protect your images on our site. The bottom line is if someone really wants your image they will find a way to get it. We can only make it inconvenient and be vigilant about squashing the efforts of those that are using images illegally, ZERO tolerance. Angry

The following email was sent from GCU to the blog owner, Tess:

"First thank you for removing artwork and images that were taken from GCUniverse per Corrie Kuiper's request. Please know that all of the images on GCUniverse are copyright protected by the individual submitting artists. Just as you are passionate about your digital scrapbooking our artists are passionate about their work. Most of them rely on their work to earn a living, it is their business. Using their images in any fashion without their permission is illegal, it is stealing. By using their images you are infringing on their rights and hurting the value of their product, even if you are offering it for free.

In general just because an image is found on the internet it does not mean it is a "freebie". Giving credit to the artist is not enough. In order to use their image or artwork in any manner you must contact them and have permission to do so.

Please take this as notice to remove all images that you have used from Greeting Card Universe from all artists as well as Corrie Kuipers.

Thank you for your cooperation."

and in brief her reply...

"That day I received an e-mail from Corrie Kuiper, I immediately remove all. As far as I know, there are no more featured in my blog. But just the same, please just let me know If there are still any so I can immediately delete them."

This should be a done deal but others are likely to surface over time, so we'll just take it in stride. As a reminder you can send emails to report image abuse to: reportabuse@greetingcarduniverse.com

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Nasser_16

GCU Administrator
CEO

Posts: 152

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #62 - Jul 14^th, 2009, 2:15pm

Sorry Ernestine.

It was never my intention that it was "ok" for anyone to steal artist's art. It was just an attempt to brainstorm with the artists and see what other approaches we may want to consider.

In my post, I made it very clear that artists are the decision makers on this topic and we will honor it. That decision was made clear and the problem has been addressed. We have in the past and will continue to go after anyone that steals art from GCU.

Thanks,
Nasser

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Ernestine_131365 Gold Member artist Posts: 853	Re: All Artists - READ NOW Reply #63 - Jul 15^th, 2009, 7:55pm Thanks Mindy & Nasser for your replies. I know you DO take all of our concerns seriously and it appears that the situation was addressed appropriately. -ernestine
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Cherie_131661 Senior Member artist Posts: 466	Re: All Artists - READ NOW Reply #64 - Jul 27^th, 2009, 4:58am Thanks Corrie, I'm checking this out now! Cherie
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Ruth_137083

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 23

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #65 - Jul 30^th, 2009, 8:03am

Hi Corrie,

I checked out the site you were talking about and didn't see anything of mine, but I'm new and don't have a lot of images yet (less then 50). But I agree, if we are going to give our art away we should have the choice. When something is taken without permission it is theft! It is the same as someone stealing your wallet and using your credit cards or shoplifting. In all cases someone is taking something that doesn't belong to them and using it. People are prosecuted for the direct physical theft, why not the electronic form? She should be made aware of the possibility.

On another note to this, When I first signed up with GCU I was contacted by Nielsen to sell images through his site. I set-up a few images. I have been wondering if I should close that down? It seemed at the time that it was a new venture just getting started and thought I'd give it a chance. But after this I've been wondering about their legitimacy?

Ruth

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Peggy_137160 Gold Member artist Posts: 760	Re: All Artists - READ NOW Reply #66 - Aug 14^th, 2009, 7:49am you can do a forum search for Neilson's name to get our varying opinions of his site(s) and his methods of getting new artists ... how's that venue working for you? Followup on those who have signed with him is something I haven't yet seen ...
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Ruth_137083 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 23	Re: All Artists - READ NOW Reply #67 - Aug 14^th, 2009, 8:21am Nothing has happened, from his site that I've seen. But I'm not putting much effort into it lately. Certainly no sales! Ruth
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Ed_138002

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 22

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #68 - Aug 14^th, 2009, 12:46pm

I have a large investment in my camera equipment and software and spend considerable time taking my photos. Since I am making the cards FOR SALE, I would perfer that no one takes my photos and gives them away or sells them. Who knows where they will end up and for what purpose they would be used for.

IMHO

I think GCU does everything that they can to prevent anyone from copying or taking our art. Another thing that can be done to help is if you go to global settings (i did this today) and set a watermark on your art or photos, it may keep the honest folks honest. I set mine for large photos only because the small photos would not be much use for someone to copy anyway, they lose resolution when enlarged enough to use, and look pixelated.

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Angela_131975 Full Member artist Posts: 241	Re: All Artists - READ NOW Reply #69 - Aug 15^th, 2009, 8:53pm Unfortunately watermarks don't do the trick all the time. Someone had taken a friends image and removed the watermark and used the image for their own purposes. It will deter most though.
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Damyon_138209 Junior Member artist Posts: 88	Re: All Artists - READ NOW Reply #70 - Sep 1^st, 2009, 8:28am It is one thing to make our artwork unavailable/more difficult to steal but a copyright notice only gives you the right to legally go after her to cease and desist. Not many of us have the monetary resources to do that.
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Ed_138263

Junior Member
artist

Posts: 81

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #71 - Sep 1^st, 2009, 9:42am

I don't want to stir up a hornets nest, but, as I have been browsing the site, I have seen many cards that feature artwork from some of the microstock sites that I belong to. They do give credit to the site,
example: licensed through Fotolia, some say, public domain image, original image by_____ graphics, etc.
If the artwork is downloaded from a microstock site, there needs to be an "extended license" which is usually much more expensive per download in order to use it as an item for resale. Usually about 50.00. I was wondering if this has been made clear to all contributors. Simply paying to download a copyrighted image, does not give anyone the right to reproduce and sell it. I just thought that I needed to say something here since copyright infringement was being discussed. I saw one storefront with many of these microstock images and thought, that's a pretty hefty investment if all of the images were obtained with a special license.

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Irisangel :
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/irisangel

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Teri Francis_131425

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 326

Re: All Artists - READ NOW
Reply #72 - Sep 3^rd, 2009, 12:32pm

Quote from Ed_138263 on Sep 1^st, 2009, 9:42am:

I don't want to stir up a hornets nest, but, as I have been browsing the site, I have seen many cards that feature artwork from some of the microstock sites that I belong to. They do give credit to the site,
example: licensed through Fotolia, some say, public domain image, original image by_____ graphics, etc.
If the artwork is downloaded from a microstock site, there needs to be an "extended license" which is usually much more expensive per download in order to use it as an item for resale. Usually about 50.00. I was wondering if this has been made clear to all contributors. Simply paying to download a copyrighted image, does not give anyone the right to reproduce and sell it. I just thought that I needed to say something here since copyright infringement was being discussed. I saw one storefront with many of these microstock images and thought, that's a pretty hefty investment if all of the images were obtained with a special license.

Hi Ed/Irisangel ... welcome to GCU!

Yes ... you will see a lot of microstock and even some mid-stock images on cards here. Early on, I had many of the same concerns you expressed. I can personally assure you that GCU does what is within their power to make sure images are properly licensed when submitted by Artists who are not the originator. Of course, the responsibility ultimately rests with each individual Artist, but I have found that GCU does go to greater measures than most to protect against infringements.

I try to use my own images and illustrations for the most part -- but there are times when I either don't have the time or the ability to create the image I want for a product. Yes, Extended Licenses are expensive ... but when your cards start selling, as I'm sure they will, you may begin to see that it's a worthwhile investment for some of the Artists here. In other cases, you'll probably recognize a lot of other microstockers here as well. I've earned greater revenue by using my images on products than through the microstocks in the last 2 years. I'm also much more judicious about what images I will submit to microstocks -- don't want to find my cards competing against my own images.

I'm familiar with your work from the microstocks -- you have wonderful images in your port and I think your work will sell very well on cards. So, welcome again, and sell tons of cards! And don't worry about stirring up the nest ... it's always a good reminder to have this issue raised from time to time.

In regards to Ed's concerns ... folks, remember to read the TOUs of any images you license!!! Some microstocks like Shutterstock do NOT allow usage on any POD products under the terms of ANY license, including Extended Licenses. Someone at another POD found this out recently after spending a good bit of money on ELs. So be careful when purchasing images -- read the fine print and know what the permitted uses are BEFORE buying!

Also, please remember that verses are copyrighted as well. Many of us spend a good deal of time and energy crafting our words into a message that connects specifically to the occasion for cards we've created. If you need help coming up with verses, just ask ... there are plenty of helpful people and resources here at GCU.

Best of luck to you, Ed!

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