Digital Piracy
I am home! It was so nice to get away and unfortunately, we did not get snowbound so I could stretch it out for even longer! Of course, my family was NOT happy since I guess the furbabies do not behave very well when Momma is not around! OH, well, as I have said, only one of these furbabies is actually mine!
I will be spending the day trying to get caught up on the memberships that came in while I was gone and maybe later on will get another kit posted but I want to talk about something here that I came home to and am pretty upset over!
Occasionally, I do a search of the file share sites to check to see if any files are being shared that should not be, Also, some of you alert me to things that you find that may not be 'right'. Lately, there have been several instances of files being uploaded and being distributed. Before, I would send the person involved a nice email and ask that they take the file down but I think being nice is NOT going to continue! Digital Piracy is wrong! It is illegal! It is the same as theft, shoplifting, stealing, lying and against all the values you are trying to teach your children, your grandchildren and families to have! What is most upsetting is that I am finding MEMBERS ONLY files being shared! That means a member is sharing a file since they are the only ones that can download the file to begin with!
Whoever is doing this...First, you are hurting the designers! I think I can safely say that there is not one designer out there that doesn't NEED the little that is made by selling their kits. Personally, I am on disability and also going through a very difficult period financially. Every dollar that comes into this house is allocated to paying a bill with very little left to spend on anything extra! Believe me, I am not getting rich off the minimal membership fee that is charged! And, by distributing a Members ONLY kit is the same as if you waited for me to get a paycheck from job and then picking my pockets! Designing kits for profit is a job and by violating the TOU, you are stealing money from the designer!
But, what is more upsetting to me is that you are hurting your fellow scrappers! Not only is this Piracy thing making designers angry and therefore giving out less and less freebies (since if you are stealing them, everything becomes a freebie), but just like a store will up their prices to cover "shrinkage" from shoplifters (which is the class you fall into), prices of kits have and will go up, designers will go to selling and in general EVERYONE pays!! Also, many of the members are on limited incomes and have to spend their money wisely. They have spent their money and you are just giving away what they have worked so hard to get! It is shameful and it sickens me that one of my members would do this!
I do not think that I am a greedy person. When I went to membership, I gave out 20 "free" memberships to people that were on limited incomes. This time around, I am trying to give them to different people so that everyone gets a little something. But, it is hard to do something like this when you feel that you are being taken advantage of. I have always given out freebies..and to have this happens, really hurts and is disheartening!
I recently received an email through a group that had WORKING NINE TO FIVE included in a list of about 50 kits that had been uploaded to RapidShare. Every one of those kits were obviously PAID kits from "professional designers". I have a hard time believing that the person that originated this or anyone that has passed this on is not aware that the names of designers on this list do not give away THAT many kits!
From this point on, I will NOT be nice about this. I will contact the site and get your account closed. I will do all that I can to find out who you are. (By the way, if you are proud of what you are doing and think you are right, why use a fake name or even a different name than what you are known by in groups and on forums???) If I find a Member violating their Membership by uploading a file, your membership will be terminated. After all, YOU have violated your membership. When you join and download a file, the TOU is spelled out for you. You violate it, you pay the price! Thankfully, the majority of you are not doing this but the one that is...you are no better than a thief, a common criminal, and I hope that someday it will come back to bite you in the ---!
18 comments:
Wow....that people could be this heartless. As Janice points out, there are so many freebies available and her membership is really affordable...why would anyone do this? And she's right, why use a fake name? Because that person knows they are cheating, stealing and making it unpleasant for everyone... This will definately be a lesson to my children on how not to behave.
I am sorry Janice and to all those hard-working designers out there. It really is unfair and plainly not nice.
I'm so sorry you had to come back to this. Hopefully you can get it stopped.
I wrote an blog on this last week. NBK has also had problems before the new year. This really becomng a problem
What a horrible thing. These same people would never consider going into a department store and shoplifting something, so what makes them think this is right? I am sorry this is happening to you. It is not fair.
Janice, I am so sorry that there are those who will do this to you. You have been so fair with your prices and so generous to those who couldnt afford even that. You are truly a very sweet person and dont deserve this! Hugs!
I'm glad you enjoyed your "time off", but am sorry you had to come home to find this situation. I may be naive, but I don't understand what motive anyone would have for posting kit downloads for free that they have paid for. It seems to me they are not only stealing from you, but themselves as well--kinda dumb to me!
I am so sorry this has happened to you, especially now. You are so very generous and always was. This is so unfair.
I agree with you!!!!!! Too bad there can't be cyber police that could throw their behinds in jail! I wonder how they would feel if their kids did this, would they tell them that this is okay? I really feel sorry for someone that would do such a thing!!! I think I'll pray for them! Also, please know you and your family are in my prayers!
OMG - I can't believe this!! Well, I mean I know it goes on but why someone would do this to you or any designers is beyond me - your kits and others are not that expensive!! This sickens me too!! If I catch someone doing this rest assured I will get the info to you!! Sorry you had to come back to this!! Hope you have a better week!! Hugs!! :)
I am so very sorry hon, I can't believe with all that you given of yourself somebody could turn around and do this. I hope you can stop this so you can scrap in peace once again. Sending sunshine and hugs :}{:
AMEN!!! to your final sentence...and I'd like to add one.
By stealing, one teaches others to steal. It's hurts even the thief to steal because they lose their self esteem. Can't you see the thief snickering over her (his?) coup??? Cute picture, isn't it...;o(((((
BRAVO!!!!!
You go Jannidee, I don't think you should be nice at all. I've just recently started designing stuff and I am also giving out freebies on my blog. So, I understand being angry when someone steals your work. Which by the way, (I have a nice xmas kit overthere if you want it). It would really hurt me to know that someone did that to me too. I love your work. Wouldn't subscribe if I didn't. Shame on them. Can't believe someone would upload on another site. You just go and get them. They deserve whatever punishment they get. That's just awful. Sorry this happened to you.
Love all that you do and I hope your homelife gets better for you. I know it's a trying time. By the way, the puppies sound adorable. Take care and god bless.
april
Jannigirl, you are absolutely right! I don't understand pirating your kits, your membership fees are so low you are practically giving them away!! If I have to pay for something, I sure as hell am not going to give it to someone so that they get it for free! Anyway, glad you had a nice time at the cabin. "Me time" is always a good thing!! Glad you made it home safe!! 8)
I am so sorry that this is happening. It is truly a sad thing. I do not have the flair, imagination and talent to create and love being able to purchase from designers such as yourself and get freebies. Why oh why do people do this... does it give them a thrill to steal and give away? It is truly a sad thing. I downloaded a ton of freebies when I first started this. Once I realized that I had not kept the art in such a way as to know who to credit, I deleted the who batch and started over... and of course, about that time I started buying..lol... Well... if someone wants to give away things... figure out how to do it yourself!! and give yours away. STOP HURTING THE SCRAPPBOOKING COMMNITIY! Sorry.. I'll stop yelling now.
Huggs to you Janice.....
I too am very sorry that this is happening. I can not believe ANYONE would do this. That stinks. Your stuff is WONDERFUL, and your price cant be beat. I am so glad that I finally was able to join. THANK YOU so much for all you do, you make our scrapbooks so much nicer.
Gee I am so sorry this has happened I all to well know what it is like..to make ends meet..and what it is like to struggle to put food on the table..there are so many freebies out there that I just can't understand..it all..you deserve better...I am finally over my kidney pain ..did not get much done today..but got my valentines banner up..had some great news here in Newfoundland re the department of education..will be implementing..over 75 recommendations re the special education programs being offered in schools..now why could the school just not listen to me as a mother..why did they have to make it so difficult for little sammy I will never know..but I can walk tall and proud..now..that what I have been saying for over 4 years..is finally going to get some change..that will problably take a year or more..and I am enjoying him home with me..so in no rush to send him back..I see if first then I will believe it..
take care hon...hugs, Joanne
It has taken me this long to respond to your post. I was heart-broken when I first read this and just had to close my computer and do something else. Over and over you ask yourself, WHY? It is hard, but over the years I have had to come to the conclusion that some people are just EVIL!! Nothing you or anyone can say will change their mindset. This same THIEF habit is the very reason that quite a few of designers I have met are no longer giving away freebies. The few that are still do give freebies, limit the size to a pack of buttons, etc., nothing of the proportions that we have received from your blog. These inhumane things, I won't call them people, thinks they are doing something special. Yes, you are right, they are brave as long as their true identity is hidden. Janice, this is their life habits because they have nothing of value, nor will they ever have anything of value. IN other words, they are jealous of the togetherness and members' dedication that you bring to this genre. I will show this article to my younger grands as a lesson in Negative and criminal behavior. We are beside you 100 Percent.!
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