A recent event in my community has led to some negative media coverage involving our school district.
One twin cities news station stumbled upon a website that I own and maintain for one of our sports teams and, without my permission, used my images in their news story. I was completely shocked as I watched their story unfold on television and saw how they used my photos without so much as a “May we?”. The last thing I wanted was for my community to believe that I had anything to do with the coverage, as if I contacted the station and provided them with information.
I called the news station and was redirected a half dozen times until I was speaking with the executive producer of the newsroom. This woman said “Anything you put on the web is public domain and we can use it however we want.” I argued that this was a privately owned domain and that the images were my intellectual property. I used the word “stolen” and “copyrighted”.
She agreed to remove a photo from their website but made no promises about the video feed and future broadcasts. She encouraged me to leave a voicemail for the vice-president of the station, which I did.
This morning I watched their coverage of the news story and there again were my images. I rechecked their website and discovered that they had put my photo back onto their site.
I called again after doing some research on Internet and copyright laws. This time the woman was not so friendly to me.
“How exactly have you copyrighted this material?” she asked.
“First of all, anything I write, any photographs I take belong to me. The copyright is automatically implied. I went a step further and posted that it is copyrighted by law. This isn’t ‘MySpace’ or ‘Facebook’. This is a domain I own with images I own. I suggest you read the legal disclaimer provided by Creative Commons. In the mean time, I will be delivering a Cease and Desist letter to your station first thing in the morning!”
She got really huffy with me and said “I’m going to contact our station’s attorney and get back to you!”
Meanwhile, I could tell by my stat counter that there was alot of activity on this site from a few different ISP addresses. They were definitely debating the legalities of their actions. A half hour later I received the call:
“We have decided to honor your request and remove the photos.”
“From your website?”
“Yes.”
“From your broadcasts?”
“Yes.”
“From any future broadcasts or stories?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect.”
Bloggers have rights.
Just because we put thoughts and images out their for the world to see doesn’t mean that we give up ownership in doing so. I highly recommend that every blogger reading this takes some steps to protect the content of your site. Here are a few links to get you started:
What To Do If Someone Steals Your Work
Never in a million years did I think I would have to deal with this. I’m hoping you never have to
but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Oh. And I’ll never watch KSTP news again. Shame on them.
Tags: Uncategorized
January 20th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Wow, who’d a thunk huh? I can see why someone would want to steal your pictures though, you’re an awesome photographer. Unless someone wants a picture of my rusty car or a story about poop, I don’t think I’ll have that problem.
January 20th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
hey, Jeff! Don’t underestimate the value of your poop.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Duluth had a nun that took pictures of many small things in the fields and woods. A minister wrote the poetry to accompany them in their book. She saw beauty and design in every weed and flower or seed. You have that talent. I think I would have demanded a showing at the Mall of America for stealing your work. Consider what is more important, the greatest designed building man could build or a drop of water.—Bill
January 21st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Jeanine,
It doesn’t surprise me in the least that they used (stole) your pics like everyone is saying yours are beautiful - you’ve got so much talent. I’d just sue their as@!*es - that’d show them. I gotta ask - what is the hubabaloo about???
I haven’t caught the real news for so long since I have become increasing addicted to John Stewart…..
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
When i saw the news repost friday night i noticed the picture of him and thought oh great kevin and his whole family hate me! i was so upset, but now that i read this im not anymore. im sorry this has been causing you trouble too,i really am.
Sara