If I take a coloring page and turn it into an MTC file then can it be shared or would that be wrong? What if I take multiple images from different things and create a file?
I'm trying to figure out what is okay to post and what isn't. I DEFINATELY do not want to claim ANYONE'S work but I know there has to be a way somehow or everyone else wouldn't be able to share. Right now all I know how to share is titles.LOL! I can create all the other stuff (though not near as good as many of you) but It either uses coloring pages or bits and pieces of files I have/find. so I'm having a hard time "knowing" what I can and can't share. When I use CR I just didn't share much but I"d really like to be able to but I don't want to cross any lines in the process. I hope that makes sense.LOL
It makes a LOT of sense, and there is no easy 'one answer fits all' response, but I'll try...
If it was a picture in the 'public domain' it is out there for everyone to use and share*. *(Be aware if it is a copyrighted character or something)
If someone has stated it is 'for personal use only' you can use it, but should probably only share pictures of your project (depends on who you are), but should definitely NOT turn around and sell it.
If it came from someone's blog or you know who originally did it, and it is for sharing, the polite and proper way to do that is to show a picture of your project and either provide a link to their site, or at least give the credit to them...
Files that were bought are generally considered NOT for sharing...
Hope this helps clear up some confusion, also you might try a search on the forum using 'comments' and keyword 'copyright' to find some more info.
oh no i wouldn't Sell ANY files. I don't consider myself that good.LOL
I just meant to share. LIke sometimes I might take a coloring page and then say add a flower, balloon, or heart (whatever but you get the idea) from another file that I downloaded (free of course) off the internet. Would that be alright to share? I don't know where half my files came from (I am converting a bunch of GSD) so I don't know how I'd give credit for each little piece but I'd try.LOL
I am not "creating" the image (well some things I do) but for those clipart images, etc....that I did not "actually " draw.....I am not "creating" the image, but just the "MTC File". So I am sharing an MTC file that I "created" by tracing the image and breaking it apart for others to use if they want, anyone can "trace" the image and create it if they have MTC (or SCAL, etc). So it is just the "MTC file". No where do I claim to have drawn the image.
And for instance, when I did the wall art, I created the MTC file for the birdcage (I used) the tree branch and the stool. I used the MTC file that KLee created. So I ONLY shared the MTC files I created (traced).....and mentioned if anyone wanted the Cat file they had to go to KLee to get it. That was her file she "created" and I am sure she did this from an image as well. But that "MTC file" belongs to her.
Now any "purchased" images, even created with MTC, shouldn't be shared. The seller of the images is in business to make money and if you buy it then "spread it around", this causes them to lose money that they should be entitled to like any other business.
AND the biggest thing here to remember when sharing files - even if you "create/trace" an MTC file from any image that you did not draw/create.....you should NEVER, EVER sell the file....the image is not yours to sell....and it took the image to make the file.
So for instance when I see the "Flintstone" characters (image graphics) on the web....even those sites that share these, do not own these images, Hannah-Barbera does....that is why they are sharing, not selling the image.
Again this is just my take...some may agree, some may disagree....and that is okay. :)
I guess I should make it clear I do NOT wish to SELL anything!!!!!!!!LOL I just like to create different stuff some of which I can draw in inkscape or elsewhere and then I add to stuff I have or trace .jpeg or whatever and turn it into one scene. That is what I would SHARE (not sale).LOL Oh, and I wouldn't use files I paid for. I realize those belong to others who are trying ot make a living and I certainely wouldn't want to do anything to harm them.
Thank you all so much for your help. I think I have an understanding now of what is and isn't alright.
First off, I want to give a shout-out to iggylover/Janette! We are HUGE iggy lovers around here, too. We actually have SIX running around the house right now--four rescues of our own, a foster and a little guy we iggy-sit while his daddy goes on business trips.
Second off, this is very long and drawn out, but I want to respond to Christy's questions. I really encourage you to do some research of your own on copyright/piracy/electronic theft issues. There is an mistaken perception that anything on the internet that is not specifically noted as copyrighted or "for personal use" is up for grabs. This misguided/uninformed belief appears to make it okay for someone to copy files, images and music to her computer then use, modify and distribute these files in any capacity she sees fit.
You have to keep in mind, that you don't have to SELL an image for copyright infringement or piracy. Personal use and distribution/sharing (for free or for profit) without permission are still considered STEALING, no matter how you try to justify it.
This is an issue I feel very strongly about because someone STOLE an image from my blog and posted it on her blog as her own work. She even put her larger-sized watermark over my smaller one.
Other people aren't so deceitful and simply don't understand that saving files they've found on the internet, tracing them and then offering them as free .svg files for others to use is WRONG! One girl even commented that she'd obtained the images for the .svgs she was offering on her blog "by doing a basic Google search." Seriously... just because it was a basic Google search makes it okay to convert those images to .svgs for other people to use? Do "advanced searches" make them wrong? The .svgs she is distributing are Sassafrass Lass acrylic stamp images! I wonder how they feel about that?
Besides the licensed images that are here in the MTC gallery, I've also seen a number of rubber stamp images. There's a slightly modified Cricut image. Most recently, there's a Sizzix dog and Jill's Paper Doll stencils. I worked in a scrapbook store, so I KNOW where alot of images are coming from. Also, two different users have posted the exact same "decorative leaf" file. Hmmm... I haven't seen this image before, but neither user referenced where the file originated. So, that's definitely a file I'll stay away from because my assumption is that one (or possibly both) isn't original.
Just because MTC and SCAL make it EASY for people to use images they've saved from the internet, DOES NOT mean it's okay to do so. Futhermore, how many people aren't even fazed by the websites that have used blocking features to prevent people from illegally using their files? You just have to flip through the pages on this board to find out the Print-Screen or Snipping Tool work around. Again, just because there are several different ways to get an image to your computer DOES NOT mean it's okay to do so!
Here's a good comparison: In 2007, a Minnesota woman was prosecuted for copying twenty-four music files to her computer and then sharing them over the internet (yes sharing; not selling). She was fined TWO MILLION DOLLARS. It wasn't until January of this year that her appeal came through, and the fine was reduced. It is now "only" $54,000.
I've attempted before to raise flags on this board about this issue, and the response was pretty much "if you're in doubt, don't use the files." I work in a scrapbook store so I'm around alot of images that people are posting. And, no, I definitely WON'T use the files I know are stolen. It's the .svg images and .mtc files that are created with images I've never seen before that are the most troubling. Are YOU around images enough to know what's original and what's being inappropriately distributed? How would you feel about finding a really cute .mtc file, making an awesome layout or card from it, proudly posting it on your blog and ending up being fined $54,000 for using a stolen image? Ignorance isn't bliss--I'm sure a court of law won't care if you claim you didn't know it was a stolen image.
And, modifying images other people have created just a tad...or maybe even alot? Here are some other examples to think about:
Stealing someone else's words = plagiarism (modify the words a little bit and change the title? Yep that still = plagiarism)
Stealing someone else's money = embezzlement, robbery (modify the amount just a little by spending some of it? Yep that still = embezzlement, robbery)
Stealing someone else's music = sampling (modify it with an extra beat or two? Yep that still = sampling)
Stealing someone else's car = grand theft auto (modify it with paint and pin stripping? Yep that still = grand theft auto)
Stealing someone else's body (i.e. prostitution) = pimping (modify her by putting a blond wig on her? Yep that still = pimping)
Stealing someone else's child = kidnapping, etc., etc.
Shesh! Sorry this is so long and drawn out. Just make sure you read up on various copyright and digital media infringement articles on your own so that you can make an informed decision based on facts so that you feel comfortable sharing the images you obtain or create. (I hate sarcasm, but I can't resist: a "basic Google search" will get you plenty of info!).
And to laserbeam, I love my Iggy, Niko! I know most people say iggies are like potato chips and you can't have just one, but my DH isn't even very fond of the one I have...LOL. I do occasionally iggy-sit for friends too, and then the house is a zoomie racetrack for our 25 mph couch potatoes. ;-)
okay so if I am using coloring pages that are shared, and it specifically says:
This site is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by these companies their affiliates or any other company/publisher. The images provided in this clipart collection are intended solely for the personal use and enjoyment of the general public, and therefor the use of such material falls under Fair Use Provisions act. Please abide by this law and keep the clipart for private and non commercial use. Please check the laws of your country to ensure no copyright infringement occurs."
am I understanding it right to assume that it's okay to trace, alter, and repost these files? Geez, I"m starting to think I need to go ask my attorney!!!!! this is a bit insane. I mean I understand taking stamped images, or somene's art work, but free coloring pages that ANYONE can use for free anyway I am not understanding the problem.LOL
Notice that on the majority of my explanation, I recommended posting pictures of your projects, but didn't actually tell you to share or post your files...
In all the help I've given on this forum, I think I've only posted 2 or 3 files, and only one of them was from a coloring page, the others were helping people edit their own files...
It can be a murky greyish area, and as several people have wisely said, "If in doubt, don't post.", but it's now up to you to make your own decision about what you would like to do...
When I download a file or font I like, I add in the name of the person or site I found it at so I can give credit later... just make sure you don't put in the full site name [like ending it with a .com before the .svg or .png or .zip file ending], it causes PROBLEMS (ask me how I know) LOL
Example: EasterRoseBasketbyPaulo.svg or BabyBootiebyRachellanne.mtc ... but NEVER ldmusicfromdafont.com.zip ... you get the idea :-)
Christy.... I am soooooo sorry! I can tell you're excited about sharing, and I don't mean to ruin your excitement.
People should be more like you and ask these questions! They should also be diligent in tracking down terms of use on websites (which is often posted somewhere else on the site, and not with each individual image).
Several people here a great about sharing in the Cool Sites forum and reminding others to adhere to the usage policies of the sites.
However, there's one specific topic I know of where someone posted a link to a cool site, and then someone else responded with a sample made from images they'd taken from that site. The terms of use specifically say that artists grant copyright/distribution solely to the website domain. Just because the artist granted this right to the website domain, does not mean they've granted it to anyone who saves the image to their desktop. And, in tracing the images to make cut files, the watermarks that identify the site have been removed. Innocent? Probably. Right? Absolutely not.
I am NOT saying everything is black and white, and that I'm above justifying things I do as an interpretation that is possibly questionable. We've told our CPA to interpret the gibber-jabber of income tax law so that we're dangling over the side of the cliff, but NOT to knock us all the way over!
My brain functions better with specific examples I can relate to. This isn't quite the same thing, but you'll get the gist of it as it relates to the usage terms from the Coloring Pages:
I'm a board member for our community HOA. We have in our possession the owner names and address of all the people who live in our subdivision. It's a fact that this is public information, and we are definitely in the a position to easily share this information with others. But, frankly and ethically, it's not our place to share it! If somebody else wants this information, they'll have to go find it themselves.
Yes, the terms of usage for the Coloring Pages says that it's for the personal use of the general public, but you should refer people directly to their site rather than distributing their images yourself.
Maybe you can post in the "Share Your Masterpieces" forum until you have a chance to meet with your lawyer. There, you can let people know how you created/modified the design and then reference where you found the graphics you used and how others can find them.
Again, I'm sorry for being a spoil sport. I love MTC and all the fun stuff I've made with it! I can't wait to see what you share!
Okay Jeanette I didn't get a hold of him but my mom got a hold of a friend of hers that's also a lawyer.
If it says personal use, shared, or “non-commercial use” only she feels we are fine with turning them into MTC files and sharing but we should give credit. If they are COPYRIGHTED then we need to ask OR if they say nothing at all we should probably ask before using/ posting.
She said a bunch more about a fair use policy or something like that but my mom didn't remember what all was said exactly.LOL OH, and we can’t sell them but we already knew that.LOL
I guess if there isn’t a way to credit the site in the MTC gallery we could always put it in the notes section??????? I haven’t ever uploaded so I’m not sure if there’s a place for that or not but we could always include the website or link in the file somehow.
Apparently there isn't a specific answer and obviously it's a contraversy subject but I do now feel comfortable with using images that are free for personal use to EVERYONE like coloring pages or basic images as long as I give credit to the site where I got the image.
HTH My dad also has a friend that's a judge so If I run into him I"ll ask him as well.LOL