Some of you wanted an update on the progress of The Case of The Stolen Picture, so here you go…

I posted last week about finding a picture from my blog (of our nursery) on a store’s website.  The picture had been used without consent and did not give any credit to me or this blog.  It was a weird feeling - violated, flattered, annoyed, and funny.

On Facebook it created quite a conversation: they had some nice stuff… I should get store credit!  Was this an outrage or a compliment?  Someone’s 4-year-old daughter rightly concluded that they were pirates.

My own son was infuriated.  He told me we needed to “tell them to give that back!  That’s our condo!  Give our picture back!” ;)

First thing I did was e-mail them politely but firmly telling them that the picture was mine, was obtained without permission, and they needed to either remove it or credit it.  And I waited until the end of the week… there was no response.  So I tried phoning the store on Monday.  No answer.  Left a message on the machine.  No response.  I was beginning to wonder if the store was even still in business.  

That’s when I contacted Lindsey (from Little House Blog) and Jennifer (from Rambling Renovators) via Twitter.  They’re like the big sisters of Canadian design bloggers, giving tips about blogging and planning events like BlogPodium.  And they’re awesome.  Within minutes they responded with some great advice on what I should be doing.

Lindsey pointed out that if they didn’t respond I should get ahold of their website host.  Good call.  And Jennifer pointed me to this helpful article about what to do when your content is stolen.  I was glad to have a variety of options on how to proceed.

I decided to give them one more try - I sent a much more firmly worded e-mail then called the store again.  This time someone answered.  I can’t say the conversation was the most pleasant.  The woman on the other end seemed rushed, annoyed, suspicious, and awkward (I mean, how awkward to realize you’re a skeezy pirate!).  I tried to be firm but polite… but it was strange.  I felt nervous being so confrontational.  She hurriedly told me they’d take it down and hung up.

Click.

Wait a second!  No click!  I wanna’ know: were you oblivious to the fact that taking my picture was wrong a la Judith Griggs?  Or were you evilly plotting this scheme with ill intent?!  Where did you find my picture?  Why did you take my picture!?  I felt very unsatisfied.  

By the day’s end the picture was still up.  And after the very brief and none-too-happy phone call I decided to hit “send” on my e-mail to their web host.

Then, yesterday I received a phone call from the store owner.  She told me that she was aware of a phone call I’d had with her employee and just wanted to know more.  I once again explained that the picture was mine and was taken without permission, and that I’d tried several times through e-mail and phone to notify them of that.  She apologized and explained they have trouble with that e-mail address and that the picture had been taken down.  She also told me that she’d spoken with her lawyer who’d informed her she was not in the wrong because I didn’t have any kind of watermark on it (um… sorry, but that is not the case.  In Canada, once a person creates an original work in compliance with the Copyright Act - blog writing and photography included - it is copyrighted.  I own the rights to it.  Period. )  She assured me that no malice was intended but that they found the picture and really felt that it fit the look of what they were going for.  Overall she was professional and polite (even though she did try to put the onus on me for not marking my photo) and I was feeling better.  I told her that I had given them permission to continue using the photo as long as they gave me proper credit and referred her to my original email.

So… I consider the whole matter dealt with.  I won’t be posting any rage-filed attention-seeking complaints on their Facebook page now. ;)

And let this be a lesson to us all:

1. Bloggers, stand up for your original work, and
2. Pinterest is not a source.  Go find out where a picture is from and credit it appropriately.

The End.

(Graphic by Justine Taylor)

OK, folks.  The time has come.  Or, actually, it’s long overdue.  This blog is going credit-only.  

THE BACKGROUND:

Bloggers, (and worse, Tumblr bloggers) have a bad rap about posting pictures (or other stuff) without giving its original source to the readers.  I’ve done this.  And I’ve grown increasingly uncomfortable with it over my 2 years of blogging.  You see, posting a picture without giving credit to the photographer, the designer, the stylist, the publication… it’s just not fair.  We bloggers can take someone else’s idea, creativity, hard work, style, and piggyback it with the quick click of “reblog”.  We get hits, and followers, and traffic on our blogs while the creators go unrecognized - essentially robbing them of the credit (and potential business) that is due them.

THE CHANGE FOR ME:

So from now on I will only post pictures that I know of the original source.

By giving credit I don’t mean just the blog the picture came from (unless of course the blogger is the original creator).  If I were to get a picture from a blog I’d say “via _______”, but still need to give credit to the original creators of the image.  Sometimes you can’t get all of the sources (ie. only the photographer is listed, or some magazines own the images and don’t list the photographer or designer).  The truth is we can’t always get everyone in (what about the stylist?  Or the lighting guy!  Or the homeowner!?  Or the caterer!?!).  What I aim to do is give at least one of these sources, and more whenever possible.  That way, if you wanted to track down the artist, say, you could contact the designer directly to find out. 

This also means that I won’t be reblogging uncredited images.  (Eep!)  That’s too bad, because I won’t be able to post a lot of lovely work out there.  But I have to draw the line.  And if someone I follow does not regularly credit the images they blog I’ll likely unfollow, since they aren’t a useful resource to me.

And by listing the source I want to do more than just the click-through link.  While it’s great that a click of the picture can bring you to the original source, if you’re like me you don’t often click on pictures to find out the source.  I want the credit to travel through the blogosphere with the image, so I’ll write it below the picture.

I also ask that if you’re going to use an image you find on my tumblr site that you also include the credit (I know some people like to erase the text below the pictures). If you don’t mind I’d appreciate that you list the credit plus “via Birch and Lily” (or “via Justine Taylor”), but your priority needs to be recognizing the work of the original creators.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

I have a lot of old stuff on my blog that is not sourced.  If you come across an old post with an uncredited image and know where it came from, PLEASE let me know.  Put it in the picture “reply”, leave a comment, or message me with a link. 

What about Pinterest?  For me Pinterest is a personal tool for myself.  I use the boards to organize ideas and inspiration for my own projects and save the poor hard drive on my computer.  So I may post pictures on my Pinterest boards that are uncredited (though I’ll be trying to move away from this), but I will not bring them to my blog which is intended for public enjoyment.  (This is something I’ll be simmering on for a while though… is it possible to keep private Pinterest boards?)

SORRY IF YOU’RE BUMMED…

…or angry, or offended, or think I’m going “holier than thou”.  But I’ve gotta’ do this, and hope other bloggers will do it too!

Kapish? (“Kapish” quote from the character of Uncle Jesse Katsopolis, played by John Stamos, from the television show “Full House”, created by Jeff Franklin and writers include, but are not limited to: Jeff Franklin, Dennis Rinsler, Marc Warren, and Ellen Guylas.) 

OK, that last part was a joke.  I won’t go that crazy. ;)

Check out the Amy Butler wallpaper now available at graham & brown

Last week I shared some of my favourite Etsy purchases.  Here are a few of the things I’d love to buy one of these days when the circumstances line up.  (i.e. - I have extra money and the Canadian dollar is high!)

Little M’s room has a forest theme, so I’d love a collection of these fun woodland prints from johnwgolden!

I am smitten with the aesthetic of prints like this one, “Monsieur II” from Cosas Minimas.

I don’t know what it is with me and khaki green, but I love this bag from Tippy Thai.

I loooove the look of Matte Stephen’s art… like a vintage storybook.  perfect.  This is the NYC print.  One of many that I wish for…

Dear Etsy,

Please add a new feature to your website.  I would like to scratch and sniff your products.  Thank you.

Sincerely, Justine

But f’real, I’ve been on a quest to find a chai-scented candle, like this one from The Dirty Housewife Soap Co.

What is it that I love so much about wooden toys?  They’re classic, they’re pretty, and I trust wood a little more than plastic, I guess.  I like this wooden stacking set from little sapling toys.

Have you been cruising Etsy?  What do you wish for?

I’m a huge fan of Etsy.  Out there in the realms of the blogosphere that I surf everyone knows about Etsy. But in real life, few people I know have heard about it, and most of those who have, heard about it from me!  I think it’s a fabulous idea: an online marketplace where artists and craftspeople set up “shops” to sell their wares.  One day I’d love to set up my own shop!  The prices are often ridiculously good, the customer service has been above and beyond every time I’ve purchased, and the products are unique and well-made!

So… for anyone reading who has not used Etsy, I thought I’d show off a few of the items I’ve purchased that I love!

art print: “Victoria Street, Edinburgh” from artquirk. (I’d love to buy a bunch more of the cityscapes and create a gallery!  So pretty!)

“Winter Cheer” Holiday Stationary Set from sarahjanestudios (I’ve also bought her “Calendar” note cards… I adore the artwork!!)

You can also buy art and craft supplies, like these Peppermint Buttons I got from Corner Store Supplies and More.

I love the practicality of soother tethers.  I hate the limited selection of them available in Regina.  Enter the whimsiclip from Whimsical Dragonfly! (I ordered 4, but could have easily ordered 50!  I’m waiting for them to arrive in the mail as we speak…)

I ordered this gorgeous block set made from reclaimed hardwood, as well as a maple teething ring from little sapling toys.  Another bonus about Etsy - many eco-friendly, all-natural options!

If you haven’t already, go check out Etsy.  (Maybe you’ll find some good Christmas presents!)