An Outrageous Example Of Copyright Infringement Of My Images

Copyright infringement and image theft are often the bane of my photographic existence. They are illegal, unethical and rampant, ranging from abuses on Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr to theft by bloggers and others with personal websites. I spend more time filing DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) takedown notices than I care to think about.

But recently I came across an unusually flagrant example regarding one (actually two) of my photographs that really got my dander up.  The draft version of this blog post was much more extensive, documented and vitriolic than this one but writing the draft may have been cathartic for me to some degree so I’ve been able to calm down a little, to the point that I’ll now (largely) only present the images and let the viewer see for themselves what has been done (though I will point a few things out that might otherwise be missed).

 

black-billed-magpie-6445

This Black-billed Magpie image is one of my favorites, to the point that I have a large print of it hanging over my fireplace.

 

So try to imagine my chagrin when I found this while doing a reverse image search on Google a couple of weeks ago.

p-poulson-offering-of-my-ma

 

The owner of this site: a), has lifted my image, b), has altered it (grossly, IMO) without my permission, c), has removed my copyright notice on the image and now claims her own copyright on the print, and d) is offering it for sale on Etsy.

Here’s the link but I included the screenshot in case the Etsy offering somehow disappears as soon as this blog post goes live (I’ve made screen shots and copied code of everything relevant to this post). The Etsy offering of this image disappeared for a few days after this screenshot was captured but it has now reappeared with a few changes.

Note: as of a few minutes ago (12:55 pm on 5/21/13), the above link no longer works – you just get the message “Darn, this item is no longer available”.   Sure glad I’ve got the screen shots and the code…

Here’s what the blurb below the image (in the link) says now:

  • Black Billed Magpie – Pica hudsonia Image size: 6.25 x 4.25 inches Matted for 8 x 10 frame. Edition: 50
    Inspired by image studied at the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival.
    Printed on acid-free, archival watercolor paper. Signed by the Artist.
    Print comes in cello envelope, matted and backed ready for framing in a standard 10 x 8 inch frame.

Notice that this person’s claim to copyright is now gone and that she now states that the image was “inspired by image studied at the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival”. I have never exhibited any of my images at the festival or given permission for their use at the festival.  But to cover my bases I contacted one of the GSL Bird Festival committee members and asked her if my image had been used by the festival. This was her response: “I don’t personally remember this photo on display anywhere, and I know it’s definitely not been used on the Festival Facebook page. We try to be very careful to get permissions and to give credit when we use any photos. (Which is why we use so many state employee images.)”

But even if my image had been at the festival (I’m sure it wasn’t) it would be blatantly irrelevant. She would still have no right (legally, morally or ethically) to copy it, leave off my copyright, claim copyright on the print for herself and then sell it.

I have posted that image three different places online – here, here and here. She must have lifted the image from one of those sites.

 

Here’s another of my images lifted by this person.

chukar-1745

It’s really not a very good image of a Chukar and her chicks but it’s one I used for a blog post on the “Chukars of Antelope Island“.

 

But apparently the owner of this site liked it so much that she lifted it from my blog, altered the image, removed my copyright logo, claimed her own copyright on the print and offered it for sale on Etsy. Below is the screenshot from about two weeks ago. Since that time this offering has been removed from Etsy.

 

p-poulson-offering-of-my-ch

 

This person makes the following statement on her Etsy Shop Announcement “I have been a professional artist, graphic designer, printmaker, and professor of art and ecology since 1970. My award-winning screen-prints and digital paintings are popular sellers that have won awards and recognition around the world for precision in registration and color matching.  My latest pursuit: watercolor gicle’e digital paintings of the birds of the world. These digital prints have been selling steadily since they premiered in January 2011. “

This suggests to me that this person is a professional in a field that almost by definition must be aware of copyright implications and limitations and that she’s been selling these images prolifically, including mine without my permission, for at least 2 1/2 years.

 

She also makes this statement on her personal website ” I have to consider the market value of everything I print these days as 25-35% of my monthly income comes from selling art– (to) supplement my TINY retirement check!”

This suggests to me that this woman must think that the size of her “TINY retirement check” somehow justifies her infringement abuses of the images of others (and let it be noted that I too am trying to make ends meet on a meager teacher’s retirement check). It also makes me wonder how many images she may have lifted from other photographers without permission.

 

This woman makes a sizeable chunk of change every month, at least part of which comes from the illicit use of my images.

 

Some folks seem to think that if you change the work of someone else enough you can claim it as your own (I’m quite sure this woman knows better) but such is not the case. This, from the U.S. Copyright Office:

  • Question: How much do I have to change in order to claim copyright in someone else’s work?
  • Answer: Only the owner of copyright in a work has the right to prepare, or to authorize someone else to create, a new version of that work. Accordingly, you cannot claim copyright to another’s work, no matter how much you change it, unless you have the owner’s consent. See Circular 14, Copyright Registration for Derivative Works.

 

Also from the U.S. Copyright Office:

  • (c) Fraudulent Copyright Notice. — Any person who, with fraudulent intent, places on any article a notice of copyright or words of the same purport that such person knows to be false, or who, with fraudulent intent, publicly distributes or imports for public distribution any article bearing such notice or words that such person knows to be false, shall be fined not more than $2,500.
  • (d) Fraudulent Removal of Copyright Notice. — Any person who, with fraudulent intent, removes or alters any notice of copyright appearing on a copy of a copyrighted work shall be fined not more than $2,500.

 

According to her bio on various websites this woman apparently taught art classes at Salt Lake Community College for many years so I can’t help but wonder what kind of example she set, by word and by deed, for her students – some of which very likely would have been my own high school students in previous years, since we live in the same city.

That thought doesn’t make me happy either.

Ron

 

62 Comments

  1. Janet Williams

    I haven’t seen Pam Poulson for more than 25 years, but when I knew her she was assistant to the director of the U of U Arboretum, later Red Butte Gardens, and very instrumental in founding the Utah Native Plant Society, which she served as board member, President and as editor of the UNPS Sego Lily. She gave generously of her time, did much education, guided many field trips, and was a great resource to the native plant community. She is certainly not the villain she is being painted here. I’m sorry she used your images, Ron, but she may be very sincere in not realizing it was a copyright infringement.

    • Janet, I’m aware of Pam Poulson’s service to the community in the past but that doesn’t mitigate what was done. I don’t think I “painted her as a villain” – she was her own artist. I have no control over the comments of others but I fully understand the outrage of some of these folks – image theft is rampant and any educated, highly respected artist and Photoshop instructor who runs in the circles that she does has to know that copyright infringement is wrong and illegal. And she has admitted as much.

      But Pam and I (in lengthy correspondence) have put this behind us. I hope everyone else can too.

  2. I’m late to the discussion, but what a saga. Since it’s all been covered, I just want to proclaim my *love* for this photo! I can see why you have it hanging over your fireplace. I have never seen a magpie’s plumage illustrated this way. btw, in one of the writing seminars I’ve attended, the speakers mention that first version, angst-releasing letter as the one to toss away. Too many people use that as their final draft. 🙂

    • Thank you, Ingrid. And from reading your own blog posts I must say that you took your writing seminars to heart. You’re truly a master of the language – wish I had your skills…

  3. An update: Pam Poulson has closed her Etsy Art Print Shop and shut down her website. In communication with her I’m reasonably convinced that she has learned her lesson and won’t repeat infractions like this. She also has extremely serious health issues (which I’ve seen documentation for).

    For those reasons and others I’ve decided not to pursue this issue (assuming it doesn’t happen again with my images).

    Once again, thank you everyone for your wonderful support through all of this.

    Ron

  4. This makes me angry – I hope you have informed ETSY. People like this give us all a bad name. As an artist I have come to your group in the past to request permission for using an image. (I ALWAYS ASK AND GET IT IN WRITING and I STATE who the original artist is and that I have permission). It is a beautiful photo and I am sorry that you have been treated like this. I would suggest that you all should put a watermark on your images, just to make it harder for people. Once your photo’s are out there it is difficult to control who uses them. Regards Giselle, Australia.

  5. This is absolutely infuriating. Given how angry I am at the abuse and theft of images which aren’t mine, I can only imagine what you must be feeling. I am so sorry Ron. This is a dreadful thing to have to confront, and I know that this is an ongoing issue for you. I do hope that justice is served.

  6. I’m as happy to see the efforts and results of the rallied troops as I was pissed to see the initial post. Run the carpetbagger(s) off the web!!

  7. As a fan of your work this really gets me going! Unfortunately this is a huge issue as I’ve read about digital theft in other blogs and forums. You really should go after her, take her up in court, may be a huge hassle but that may knock the seriousness of the issue into her skull. Do not give into her plea for sympathy (terminal cancer), it’s still illegal whether your healthy or sick.

  8. Cindy Schnackel

    A very blatant case of infringement, and I know personally how that makes one feel! Good luck with whatever course of action you are able or willing to undertake. This makes my blood boil for you!

  9. Sharon Constant

    Her shop is now entirely gone from Etsy. I don’t know if Etsy took her shop down or if she was shamed enough to fully shut it down. My bet is the former.
    Excellent work everyone. Part of me feels rather sorry for her, but her behavior and theft of images cannot be tolerated.

  10. I’m overwhelmed by the support you all have shown me over this terribly frustrating situation. I’m also overwhelmed by everything going on in the background, to the point that I just won’t have the opportunity to respond to your comments in a timely fashion or thank you individually. I hope you understand.

    For those of you who have asked if I will continue to blog and share my images – the answer is yes. I can’t see letting the bad guys win, besides I enjoy it too much. My post for tomorrow may be an abbreviated one as I’m a little behind right now. And if there’s decent light in the morning I’ll just have to get “out there” early so we’ll see how it goes.

    Thank you once again, very much!

    • Sharon Constant

      Our lives have been so incredibly enriched by your images and narratives — After all you have so generously shared with us, how could we stand idly by while someone stole from you and defaced your images? I’m grateful that you are not so discouraged as to stop posting. Thank you so much, Sharon.

  11. How much easier to have asked first. But, of course, that would not get around the fact that she’s simply editing a photograph, with or without permission. Compacting the theft with a lie sets her firmly in the lazy, incompetent, dishonest group. What most lawyers cause “fraud.”

    Good luck. And I hope you’re not put off posting your images. I, and many others, enjoy seeing through your eyes creatures far from our local range.

  12. All of my artist friends will be made aware of this. So sorry to see this. But no matter what, the ****** deeds of others with neither ethics nor morals will not sully your work and images. Best to you. Lane

  13. Gr-r-r-r! I am with you on this, Ron I am amazed that she has the gall to print about copyright after stealing yours.I would notify the gallery-unless it is hers they should get rid of her because it makes them look bad.

  14. It’s interesting that now she is says that she’s being treated for cancer. I’m skeptical since this could be a ploy to get your sympathy. Perhaps you can have an attorney draw up a Cease And Desist letter, demanding compensation for all the prints of your images that she sold plus a use fee. Seems like that’s the minimum you should do.

    Someone needs to clue her in to what the copyright laws really say.

    • I sent her what Ron posted earlier about copyright laws via the Etsy message, adding that if she would contact Ron Dudley to make reparations, it would do them both a world of good. Her reply (probably before the conversation began with Ron):

      “I have deleted the images and closed my personal website. What else would you have me do?

      I have sold 6 prints of all the birds, maybe one magpie and no chukars.

      Please leave me alone. I am very ill (terminal).
      Pam

      Pam Poulson
      3 hours ago

      PS: I have contacted Mr. Dudley today and he has not yet responded.”

  15. She also lifted world renowned photographer, Andy Rouse’s image of a baby elephant and submitted it to a photo contest and sold numerous prints. This woman has no idea of copyright. She has attributed many of her pieces to “Google Images”…sigh.

  16. I’m having a “conversation” with Pam Poulson now. She claims to be extremely ill. At this point I just don’t know, given her track record. But it’s possible…

  17. Sharon Constant

    I find it interesting that she suddenly put her shop “on vacation”–a state where no items appear for sale, but the shop is not shut down forever. I also find it interesting that she mentions that last time she went in for surgery, she spent 7 months in the hospital. I have a hard time believing that this is just coincidence. It looks to me like she is attempting to go into hiding and setting us up to believe she will be gone for a long time. Perhaps she thinks we will forget about her illegal activities by the time she decides it is safe to resurface.

    I hope Etsy pulls her selling privileges completely and removes her shop entirely.

  18. I think many of you might be interested in this link.

    http://www.ehow.com/info_8737011_serigraph-art.html

    Note the reference to Pamela Mills Poulson in the first paragraph and then, most importantly, read the comment at bottom. Thank you, Mia!

  19. Shannon Schaffer

    This women should be punished; this is FRAUD!!! She is a retired teacher. (Nice example) She should go on welfare because this is B.S.!!!
    I think she should spend some time in jail; in my opinion. Maybe that would stop her… ?
    This is NOT right @ all in any shape or form.
    Ron is the most honest person I know!

  20. Here is the reply I received by contacting Pam via Etsy. Perhaps she really is just very dense. I notice the image of the Lazuli Bunting on her earthlink homepage (link in another comment above) is an exact replica of a photo on a site called Pixdaus – found that in about 2 minutes via an image search)

    j taylor
    5 hours ago

    Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79049967/original-watercolor-giclee-digital-print

    You have been stealing copyrighted photographs from Ron Dudley and perhaps others. Please realize that you are stealing, breaking the law, and hurting others by the blatant use for personal gain of these materials and STOP IT

    Pam Poulson
    2 hours ago

    I had some understanding of copyright law that if I “substantially altered” the image I could use it with minimal credit. If felt that I had done so. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks for the lesson in copyright!

    Note: They haven’t sold all that well anyway. I only sold 6 in the last 12 months–for $9.95 each.

    Sorry if I have missed previous messages from you. I have been in the hospital for the past 7 months with cancer and necrotizing fasciitis. I will delete all bird pix from this shop today.

    Pam

  21. You should sue. You’re certainly entitled to compensation for lost income from all the money she made from YOUR images!

  22. One has to wonder if ANY of her work is original? Looks to me like she’s just copied lots of photographs. There is no originality in her images, no creative input.

    If I were getting the messages that she’s getting, I’d be in hospital too!

    I hope you expose her locally as well as sue her butt off!

  23. Ron,

    Like you I value what we do as photographers, and it’s truly amazing that others are so blatant about not only stealing others work, but then trying to claim it as their original (in any medium) and then selling the work looking to make a profit. It’s illegal. Imagine someone illegally downloading a copy of their favorite movie, and then burning dozens or hundreds of DVDs and selling them in a public forum or market. That is what she was doing.

    Out of curiosity (and you may have done this as well), I did a Google image search using her artwork, and found her piece of the flycatcher is based on a photo by photographer Ken Newcombe. It’s an exact match. So I am guessing all her bird images were simply images taken from photographers, and then ‘watercolored’ so she could then sell them for profit as her own original work. If you want the links to images let me know I can send you an email.

    John

  24. People like this have no shame. It is becoming the norm now to behave in this way as is evidenced by the nasty way people treat each other in the political arena and on-line. I am sorry for the trouble this causes you, and I hope you continue to share your beautiful work for us to see. Please know that I appreciate your beautiful images as the art that they are and as the treat I get to see every time you publish. I, too, will register my disgust on her site.

  25. As of a few minutes ago the link to my butchered magpie on Etsie no longer works. I’ve now made note of that in the blog text.

  26. There really are no words. What really shocked me as well was her own copyright paragraph. That takes more than nerve.
    I hope Etsy pays attention and nails her.
    How wonderful for all the support you’ve received here, and I hope it all gets settled.
    Your pictures are so remarkable, and I’m always held in awe of them. Barring the fact that she stole the actual images, she didn’t even do them justice in her paintings. I’m thinkin’ if she stole them to paint, she also probably reads your threads. I hope she’s adequately humiliated.

  27. Charlotte Norton

    For all of you who are interested in this most recent theft. Here is her website: http://home.earthlink.net/~intothewoods/

    and here is a list of organizations from her website as well in case you want to contact them regarding ethics violations:

    American Association of University Women

    Artists of Utah

    Bountiful/Davis Art Center

    Dunn and Bradstreet

    Eccles Community Art Center

    The Print Center, Philadelphia PA

    Rochester New York Contemporary Art Center

    Salt Lake Art Center

    Salt Lake City Arts Council

    Springville Museum of Art

    St. George Art Museum

    Utah Arts Council

    Utah Heritage Foundation

    Utah Historical Society

    Utah Museum of Fine Art

    Washington Printmakers, Washington DC

    Zion Natural History Association

    Zivio Ethnic Arts

    Perhaps they all need to hear that there are those of us who take her thefts seriously.

    Charlotte Norton

  28. I find any form of copyright theft abhorrent. Well done for making a stand

  29. Now she claims she’s unavailable because she’s ‘going into the hospital’. Is that like ‘retiring to spend more time with my family’?

  30. Thank you everyone so much for your expressions of support and your ideas for dealing with this mess. It truly does warm my heart that my readers care so much about what is right (and what isn’t right).

    I’m sorry that I’ve been a little late in responding to your comments in any way but I left for “the island” early this morning for some much needed stress relief with the birds and just now arrived home. I got your comments on my phone while I was out there and that helped a lot. I haven’t yet decided how I’m going to proceed but I thank you very much for so many great ideas and your varied and creative efforts on my behalf.

  31. I have just learned about your blog within the week and admire your hard work. Bird photography is so hard and you do such a wonderful job of it. My husband and I are also photographers and have been approached over the years by artists wishing to use our photos for the basis of their paintings. We appreciated their honesty so much. On the other hand, a very well known nature magazine wanted to use a photo of mine of a kiwi with an egg. I disclosed that it was a photo taken of a museum specimen and so they chose not to use it, but did quite obviously use it to inspire a painting that was used in the article. We did not follow up on this as we did not wish to burn bridges with the magazine, which in retrospect, was a bit lily-livered of us, and I regret it. We have charged for such use, but have never had a clear idea of what is a fair charge. Do you have a suggestion?

  32. What got to me (after the obvious theft and ruining your beautiful images) is her double standard: it’s okay for her to steal from you, but not for anyone else to steal from her. That is downright sociopathic. I, too, hope that she has to pay the price for her illegal activities. I have never bought photographs from anyone online, and now I would not consider doing so unless I am absolutely certain that the person selling them is the actual photographer. I hope you can get this resolved.

  33. I put in my two cents to Etsy, and I sent a message to the seller – firm but civil. Telling her she was stealing, and should STOP. Maybe multiple messages from your many admirers would help in this one instance, if not all the others where people have stolen your material. I enjoy your photographs so much.

  34. She claims 731 comments, 100% positive … let’s change that!

    • Sharon Constant

      Hi Louise,
      You can only leave feedback for someone if you made a purchase. You can report her shop (not just a single image) if you go to her home Etsy shop page, (intothewoods1)at the very bottom of the left side bar is a link to report her shop to Etsy.

  35. I’m distraught to see anyone abusing your generosity. This woman deserves legal prosecution and karmic artistic punishment. I also have reported her to Etsy and written to her.
    Your images add delight and joy and to my days. Thank you for doing all that you do!

  36. Patty Chadwick

    Would Pamela Mills Paulson be about 60-64 years old? I found someone by that name in the “White Pages” on Center Street in Salt Lake City and their address and phone number.

  37. Ron – Theft is theft – either by gun or by the computer. She is obviously a thief and is looking for a quick and simple way to enhance her meager income. The images certainly belong to you – you went through the effort to create them. For someone to browse the internet and then steal others work is a crime. Somehow there should be a just punishment – as a reminder the crime should not pay… In my humble opinion!

  38. Patty Chadwick

    Can anyone out there help get this thief what she deserves…which I NOT profiting from someone else’s hard work. If anyone thinks Ron’s work isn’t hard, try trekking out into some of the wilderness areas he goes to, lugging equipment, dealing with weather and other environmental conditions, waiting, waiting, and waiting, patiently…hoping to be lucky enough to get that one really great shot.

  39. Charlotte Norton

    I know I’m going to drive you crazy, but your post really riled me up. I found her address and wrote the following:

    I hope that as many people as possible find out that you are not an artist, but a common thief. I have seen the work that you have stolen. Nothing could be adequate punishment for what you are doing. It’s totally disgusting. I hope the entire art community finds out about what you are doing and you never work again.
    It’s too bad that there are people like you who have no ethics are living among us.

    ~ The Man in the Glass ~

    When you get what you want in your struggle for self
    And the world makes you king for a day,
    Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
    And see what that man has to say
    For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
    Whose judgment upon you must pass
    The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
    Is the one staring back from the glass
    You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
    And think you’re a wonderful guy.
    But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
    If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
    He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest,
    For he’s with you clear to the end.
    And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
    If the man in the glass is your friend.
    You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
    And get pats on the back as you pass.
    But your final reward will be heartache and tears
    If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

    Charlotte Norton

  40. I signed into the website Etsy and reported the violation:

    “This is a copyrighted image by RON DUDLEY…….The person selling on this site has lifted several images of his and has removed his copyrights, put inplace (illegaly ) her own, and digitally changed them . This must stop, and needs to be investigated as it reflects badly on your business as well. Please do this immediately as it supports all legitimate arists who respect the works of others.

    Tim Estrada”

    • I did this by registering to the site
    • finding the image “intothewoods1”
    • clicking on “report this item to Esty”
    • I clicked “this item may be prohibited by Esty”
    • Entered my complaint

  41. I’m happy to say I have not purchased anything from her. But in looking over the photos I have bought, now I’m wondering if those images really belonged to the people I bought them from? How can you really know for sure?

  42. Charlotte Norton

    Me again. She does have her own website with a section for contact. I will certainly be contacting her to express my feelings about her work. Maybe you should put the contact on your site so that all can do the same. Additionally, there may be other information in her bio that can lead to other punitive measures. Here’s her site: http://home.earthlink.net/~intothewoods/id35.html
    Charlotte Norton

  43. BLATANT is an understatement! HOW can she get away with this? Her shop name sounds familiar to me for some reason. I’m going to check my Etsy history to make sure I have never bought anything from her. If I have, she’s going to hear from me because how will I ever know if what I paid HER for is not stolen? I have shopped a lot at Etsy – thinking I am supporting the “little person” and I don’t have a lot of money to spend, so what I do buy is carefully chosen. I’m going to talk to someone at Etsy about this.

  44. Charlotte Norton

    I went to the etsy site and it appears that all the pictures from intothewoods are no longer on the site. I also wrote to them and told them as long as this seller was on their site, I would not shop there, Maybe if everyone did this, it might have some effect. I don’t know. I’m simply casting about for punitive things that can be done to this unscrupulous individual. Here’s another idea. Could this info that was in your blog be posted on you tube? That seems to be an effective site.
    Still casting about for ideas.

    Charlotte Norton

  45. Your voice on image theft is important Ron.
    Being articulate and aware of your rights, will help others in the long run.

    On the matter at hand? What a loser…..she will be hearing from me.

    Tim

  46. Charlotte Norton

    This is totally outrageous! The o ly thing I can think of is: I only wish there was a kind and benovolent retired attorney that specialized in copywrite that would file a class action suit onbehalf of photographers. I would. Ertainly be willing to donate to such an effort to defray the costs of such a suit. This defi agley needs to be stopped!
    Charlotte Norton

  47. Ron- what is really sad is someone in your own backyard so to speak stealing your work. Did you confront her face to face? I would for sure with a Big Stick!

  48. How can I help?
    Write to the offenders?
    Your photo of the magpie is one of my favorites and Pam Poulson trashed it. Glad she did not credit you for her mess

  49. Patty Chadwick

    My first reaction, to the first image I saw, was that picture of the magpie was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen…then as I scrolled down, confusion, anger and terrible sadness.That low life just plain STOLE your work. “Inspired’, HELL…SHE TRACED your photo, made a blurry watercolor out of it and sold it as a “giclee”. NOTHING about it is honest! Are any of you out there “intellectual properties” lawyers? Do you know any? Can you help? This makes me SICK and something has to be done about it!

  50. Sharon Constant

    This is disgusting, disgusting, disgusting. In addition to stealing your images (and ruining them) she implies that they are watercolors and she is selling digital giclee prints of them. In fact, she’s after stealing your images she has applied a few “art filters” (in photoshop or some other image editing software) to your magnificent images, ruined them, and calls it art. I haven’t yet looked at her Etsy site, but my guess is that all of her images are stolen. (More disgusting–look how many sales she’s had). I hope you reported her to Etsy as well as the various other authorities. Etsy has some very reputable artists that work hard to produce and sell their images and crafts. She’s not only committing an egregious act against you, she is harming the reputation of the entire Etsy marketplace.

  51. Christian Thompson

    Although I have never come across one of my images, in the way that you have (which may tell me something?), I have decided to remove every single image that I have ever uploaded, from the web. I realised that without a decent watermark, I was bascially asking people to lift my images. From now on, any images which I upload will include a PROMINENT watermark.

    $2,500 for removal of the watermark or copyright notice should deter.

  52. You got my ire up, I’m sorry, but I hope you can nail her ass!!!
    She knows better and she does it anyway, boy I hope our legal system and your lawyer can protect you and do her in so she can’t do this to anyone else!!
    Please keep us tuned in.
    Best of luck.

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