If I pass a store and it has an outdoor display on the sidewalk, I could take whatever is out there, right? After all, the display is on a public sidewalk, so whatever is in public and easy to take, is anyone’s property, yes?
Of course not. Just because something is in public and easy to take does not mean we could take it. It’s someones property and if you take it, you’re stealing. Sometimes I find the inconsideration of people astounding ! Especially when people who should know better are engaging in such behavior and THEN, using their public platform, encouraging the masses to join them in their kleptomaniac ways.
A writer from the NY Times, Sonia Zjawinski, advocates taking pictures from Flikr to decorate her home. A post on the blog A Photo Editor titled “NYTimes Advocates Stealing Photos From Flickr To Decorate” [1] has confirmed that the disrespect that some people have for the property of others is unfathomable. Here’s a quote:
“And if you’re wondering about copyright issues (after all, these aren’t my photos), the photos are being used by me for my own, private, noncommercial use. I’m not selling these things and not charging admission to my apartment, so I think I’m in the clear.”
I think that SHE THINKS WRONG !!! Unless she has been granted permission from the copyright owner of the photograph(s), she is stealing (committing copyright infringement) and denying the photographer who may derive an income from selling prints any money that they would have made by selling that print.
This writer should be ashamed of herself and charged with copyright infringement by every photographer who has not granted her permission to take their work. [1]. You’ve got to read this stuff to believe it !!!
Links:
[1] http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2009/06/25/nytimes-advocates-stealing-photos-from-flickr-to-decorate/
I see she has a nice little notice at the bottom of her I heart tripods charity page. Obviously she doesn’t practice what she preaches.
Here’s a clue: If you post on your page not to use anything without contacting you, then DON’t do it to others.
I guess if I make copies of those T-shirts then it’s OK? It’s for my own use and it’s not like the charity can’t afford to lose the sale off of one or 2 is it? (Sarcastic, sorry. )
There are a few discussions on Flickr about this and it seems that the writer has issued a pathetic follow-up, although she does begrudgingly apologize for any misunderstanding:
http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/are-flickr-photos-fair-game-for-home-printing/