The Good, Bad & Ugly of the ‘Net
This post is not like my others. ‘And I’m feeling violated! So absolutely violated! I can’t believe how infuriating it is! This ‘internet thing’ is so unbelievable sometimes! I’ll tell you; the good, bad & UGLY of the ‘Net! and maybe you can help me. (NEW UPDATE! See below!)
First, the Good:
Since starting this site I have made a lot of friends sharing my projects! I get emails daily from very kind people who actually thank me for posting projects and patterns for free. Some share something about themselves and also feel a kinship to me. It’s so sweet. I’ve even had an 80+ lady offer to ship me leaves from Australia for my eco printing. One wonderful lady sent me some silk that she knew I could use. How amazing is that!? There’s a world between us but they feel like they know me through my words. I really love that feeling of being connected and appreciated. My readers enjoy my projects and I feel good about that.
The Bad, really really BAD:
I am super busy designing my projects, photo editing, writing, answering emails, digital media and all else that goes with this blogging thing. I don’t have the time to cruise the net for ‘fluff’. One of my readers recognized my projects and gave me the heads-up.
OMG! I almost fell off my chair, when I saw the exact copy of 2 of my projects in a click-bait video by 5-Minute Crafts! I mean EXACT! Each piece and method to the absolute ‘T’! But Don’t let me sway you, look for yourself: or on YouTube.
Do you remember this Rock Eye Peepers project (Oct 2018)? It is completely designed by me, each aspect from using the tin foil and the glass pebbles…
Compare the screenshots to my photos. U N B E L I E V A B L E!
This video is running rampant through Facebook and gaining massive views by the second. Again, OMG! Some people with integrity actually ask permission to link to my site; (how very ethical of them) 5-Minute Crafts did not ask any permission!
How can this company (5-Minute Crafts) just steal a project and publish it as their own?! Can this be possible?
Come on, tell me, is it the same? Could it be a fluke that just happened?!
How coincidently they used all the same materials, same order…
…same outcome:
I think I hear your answer! Am I insane?
What to do?!
I NEVER thought this type of blatant theft could happen! Yes, I know you are saying I should report it. I first emailed the company which gets confusing as they are under a few names (figures) to which they did NOT reply. No reply to many attempts!
5-Minute Crafts is a fairly large firm with more manpower than I have, so why do they need to take MY MATERIAL? Design your own! If this happens with mine, then where did all their other material come from?
Not just one Project, but 2!!!
To my horror 2 of my projects were ‘taken’ and copied in the same video. The Concrete Lighted Step Spook has been one of my popular designs as it uses such easy materials… The use of every single jar and styrofoam meat tray all copied. How is this possible?!
5-Minute Crafts flies through the video so fast and people question if the projects even work. Well, the consistency of the mix and the improper referral to ‘Cement’ tells again that they have no true idea, just that they found a great project and copied it (ya, I said that a few times)
The UGLY:
Well, the ugly part is what can be done about this blatant copying. I filed a Facebook copyright violation and the following day I was asked for more info. After a couple hours a quick response: ‘Thank you for your report. Based on the information you’ve provided, it is not clear to us that the content you reported infringes your copyright. The reported content appears to embody a similar idea that’s expressed in a different manner from your work.‘
Can you believe it?! ‘Similar idea, different manner’??! Unbelievable!!!
I also filed a YouTube Copyright Complaint Submission but have yet to hear back. I suppose Instagram may also follow…
UPDATE: YouTube has come through!!! – ‘Thank you very much for your notification. The content has been removed.’ See for yourself: I have some faith again and hope this sends a message to ‘Stay away from my content!‘
Please help me:
This is my Concrete Step Spook in progress, ‘similar’ seriously?!
If you see my point and can’t imagine that they really dreamed this up please post comments to that fact. We need to become aware of where these companies get their content, cool projects or not.
Does this one not look exactly like mine??!! I know it’s a great design now as this video is going on 60 million views. Does that not say anything about my projects? Let’s step up and take notice of what we watch on the ‘Ugly ‘Net’! This can happen to anyone… as I never imagined it could happen to me. But then again I believed most people are good and have ethics. I guess my bubble is bursting.
Has this happened to you? I’m looking into legal action. Tell me I’m not crazy. I’ll update when I get info. Sadly this may impact how/what I put my effort into and any future posts.
UPDATE: Justice was reached!
Barb I am so so sorry this has happened to you. And for the “people” at FB who said it was not exactly your work, well this is just ridiculous. I know nothing about copyright infringement but I am sure someone who follows you might have some ideas. I think you are totally entitled to be pissed off, I hate thieves and to do this so brazenly is horrible. I appreciate everything that you give to us and wish there was something we could do to help you. If you find out anything that we your followers can do, please let us know as I would be happy to try and help.
Thanks so much! I feel especially passionate about this since I teach ‘academic integrity’ at the college, so what kind of message does this start to show the youth?! Sadly it’s zapped some of my creativity 🙁 You can leave comments at the video sites. Boycott 5-Minute Crafts!
I am so sorry that this all happened to you. Some folks are just shameless. I have always appreciated your straight forward style and willingness to share your boundless gifts. It is good you are following up on the assault but don’t let it keep you from being you!
Love and hugs,
Lee
Thanks for the kind words! I know at some point you just need to move on, but having the idea that what I’m working on will be their next ‘profit’ is hard to swallow. ‘Nice to feel the support!
Boycotting the low-lifes at 5 Minute Crafts.
Thanks for the support! I don’t like to think about what nasty stuff happens so far away, I’d rather be happily making!
Dianne replied very well!
I also feel angry and very sorry about this copy of your art work! I was where you are, with my efforts, way back in the ’80’s, before the computer existed for me. My copyright AND patent were not enough to protect my efforts. I lost lots of sleep, and it messed with my deepest sincerity of my ~ baby~!
I know a lot of time, and heart goes into your post! Sharing in the cyber world, as I am learning, has many forms of rewards and bullying. As you progress forward keep us informed on this journey of infringement, but please don’t lose your passion in creating and sharing with the family subscribers who have been with you for years.
Sending “positive” thoughts, for a “positive” outcome!
Suzanne
Thanks for the ‘good’! I need more of that if I want to get over this. Problem is it keeps growing! And they keeping reaping profit…
I am so very happy to read that this was corrected!!!
YES!
YES!
YES!
Facebook needs to improve it’s reputation!
That’s life on the net! Facebook will NEVER correct it or improve. Facebook is a stolen idea. Mr. Zuckerberg (I like to call him sucker-berg) is unethical himself, so don’t hold your breath. Clicks, views, etc., are worth a lot of money, so if they thing they can get away with murder, like this 5 mins crafts gang, they will! I’ll comment on their projects that they steal ideas and projects from other creators! All the best!
Hi Barb. First let me say, I am A HUGE fan of your site. I too love to play in concrete.
I am very sorry that you are experiencing something so painful and personal. This is why I DON’T share my projects, even though I’d love to.
But in reading your article, the question again arises in my mind that has arisen before. Where is the line? If I share my project, and in particular I share the PROCESS it took to create it, can I not expect people to follow it exactly to achieve the same result? I totally understand the feeling of outrage to see someone else profiting from your original idea, without so much as a mention of where it originated. It seems only fair that part of that profit belongs to you. And having copyrighted a project in the past, their blatant reproductions of your photos seems a definite infringement to me.
My question probably doesn’t have a clear answer. Intellectual property is such a slippery thing. I guess I just think that if 60 million people have followed one of my projects (if only!), I shouldn’t be surprised when someone runs with it for profit.
Doesn’t make it Right though.
Yes, the more I hear, the more disgusting it gets. I understand that people will use my instructions to make but don’t expect that they just ‘take’. So many think it is perfectly acceptable. It’s really difficult to get past that this will happen over and over again. (probably happening in another country right now without my knowing) Sadly,it has kinds thrown me down 🙁
hi barb i follow your neat crafts and love it but there is much more of your smiley rocks out there too after you show your ideas.people are posting as if they are their ideas out there /they are not showing projects how they turned out /i am making smiley rocks for friends and people this christmas ! if there friends want one well they need to pay for cost for me to make to put in pot or yard i can not pay for it all but make for free cause i enjoy to do i hope with you that would not be a problem /just to let you know your projects are very much out there on the internet by others.please keep your site and creativness tyvm
also i do tell people where i found how to make these and people said i should sell in summer but i have to ask you first i said /i also have showed your site and printed directions and gave to girlfriends.
Using the tutorial to make your own is what is intended. Reproducing the instructions and passing around is not right. Copying a book and passing it around is the same idea, should not be done. Sharing by sending the link is fine. Others should not profit by reproducing/publishing non-owned work.
Hi Barb I follow and enjoy your post and try to make
Iek is baie jammer dat al die dinge gebeur wat kan jy verwag ons sien dit daagliks maar jou volgers jou ken sal hul na jou pos gaan en die oorspronkle doen
Weet nie wat kry hul uit oneerlikheid hulle sal eendag self moet verantwoording doen
Loerhie groete
Neeltje
Barb
I am so sorry. I love your work and had never heard of this website. I will never go there unless it is to give them negative reviews for their thefts. I’d heard of this happening with scarves, boas etc. that people were selling, but why would they need to steal your methods and ideas.
Well, it’s because they are quite unique. 62 million views tells me that! They do not work out the method/material or testing. Where has good old-fashioned integrity gone? Thanks for commenting!
No you’re not crazy nor are you insane. It is an infringement and it is wrong. Unethical behavior at the last and I am so sorry this has happened to yet another artist. I appreciate your free content and just made another donation to your blog but it is small and I know all your work is worth so much more. Sad people need to steal. Irit Dulman is another artist who does fabulous eco printing who published a lengthy email several years ago about someone who went to her workshop and proceeded to post all her information that took Irit years of experimentation to produce the results she did. Sadly, this happens way too much. Please don’t stop being the generous, helpful creative person you are. If I see this I promise I will send it to you as well and report it. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.
Thanks! I knew the projects would get made, but not expect copied and published! Irit discovered some methods and that is even harder to copyright. I know how no one would share any eco printing secrets… I learnt by trying. It makes me completely question how I move forward and the generosity. I appreciate your donation!
I am so sorry this has happened. Is there anyway your followers could do something? It seems to happen a lot. My calligraphy friend from Los Angeles had her piece copied almost exactly and posted on Facebook. All of us pounced on the person from Australia. I guess she thought she was far enough away. It was taken down and her name noted. Let us know what we can do besides boycotting 5-minute Crafts. I will check them out.
Dorothy
Yes, numbers do help! Showing and expressing disgust in the comments helps as they post on mostly on Facebook and YouTube. I can’t imagine the revenue that 62 million views brings!! Facebook has turned a blind eye (probably due to ad revenue from such a large company) Seems quality is less important that ‘cool factor’ lately. Sad impact on the future generations 🙁 Thanks for chiming in!
I had something similar happen to my work 40 some years ago.. I had filed copyright ownership on every individual piece I created with the Gov. copyright agency. When I reported my copyright was infringed, I was to hire a copyright Attorney which, when I searched, was 100+ miles away from my city. I contacted the office and was told my initial consultation would be $500. Who knows what it would cost today? I am sorry this happened to you Barb. This is theft. When someone steals from you and puts it out there so blantantly, it’s like a slap inn the face. May I suggest you allow your followers access to the FB sites this company is posting on as well as the YTube channel so that we can post your site to the readers to GET IT STRAIGHT?. .
The video on facebook and the YouTube Thanks!
Place a watermark on your photos and videos
I do watermark my photos but they took the instructions and duplicated them. Not nice!
Barb, I just read this about 5 Minute Crafts when I was looking for them to post a Boycott comment. Barb, it looks like all of their ideas are stolen from creative people. They are parasites.
5-Minute Crafts is a DIY YouTube channel that is owned by a company known as TheSoul Publishing which is based in Limassol Cyprus. It also owns other big brands like BrightSide. The content is usually a compilation of DIY projects, life hacks, crafts and any other content they find interesting. At some point it was the 3rd fasted growing YouTube channel and has so far generated over $70 million for the company.
Ginene
Well thanks for the info, I feel a bit more sick now. I have contacted them numerous times through the Soul Publishing with no reply. Perfect phrase! PARASITES! I believe there is a way to prevent any of their videos to show in your FB feed. Word needs to get out!
$70M?
Lawsuit.
Actually, I think 5-minute crafts is Russian
https://www.lawfareblog.com/biggest-social-media-operation-youve-never-heard-run-out-cyprus-russians
My understanding is that they are building up a huge following (with their innocuous sites) with the intention of compiling a mailing list of people & then send out disinformation to them at a later date.
Since all they care about is increasing their numbers, they’ll do whatever it takes to add followers, including stealing content from others.
UGH!!! – My husband and I are recording and performing musicians. We know how you feel. We’re constantly finding our pirated music and instructional videos posted online for free download or for sale on sites that keep all the funds. Typically those sites are based somewhere in Asia. It seems there is almost nothing we can do. We’re just grateful to the fans who continue to support us by coming to our live shows and purchasing from us when we release new music.
If we created truly blockbuster material (like you!), we would seriously consider hiring an intellectual property lawyer or firm to try to recoup some of our lost income. Perhaps you could consult with an intellectual property attorney and see if they think they could help you? Your case would probably be easier to pursue since you have one very large firm that is clearly profiting from the theft. (In our case, our music has been scattered too far and wide.) The brave new digital world has made art an even more treacherous profession than it was before. I’m SO sorry this happened to you.
I’m sad for you too. Learning all that goes with a website is tough enough, now to navigate legal things. Arghhh! I’m tired… Thanks for your kind words!
Barb, I am so sorry! You truly inspire more to learn more and craft more. I am donating to your blog in hopes that it keeps pushing you forward and will continue to inspire many more. Even if your charged a fee per month to have access to your blog, I would pay. Keep pushing!!
That is a consideration. I have been too generous. My goal was to share creativity and theirs is just $. Not even enough integrity to reply to emails or comments. That says something.
I agree with your idea of going to subscription. I have made a number of donations and would subscribe. You’ve built a reputation for excellence, high quality and innovative that comes with being a long time publisher of craft ideas. In the podcast world, seems like this is how it works . . . Create great stuff and once you get to a higher viewer threshold they either have a subscriiption model, or the subscription includes waaaaay more extras than a basic creative idea, or they have sponsorships. You could also do inperson seminars. Here in the states, an experienced teacher like you could easily make $3000 per class. (I used to teach and was amazed at what I made.)
It’s a shocking wake up call to see your stuff stolen and monitized. I wonder if If everyone of your fans went to their site and gave a down arrow or made a comment, if it works that way, it might at least make a ripple.
I HATE facebook. Someone stole my identity, and I’ve rpoerted it twice and it’s still there. . . . Modern life.
Either way, I hope you keep up the amazing projects. It always brightens my in box to see “Made by Barb.
I’m glad I’m hearing that people feel it’s worth it. All I wanted to do in the next while was christmas projects… I need to breath and get past this. Interesting concepts that you mention. Happy making
Yes, they are greedy, lazy parasites! I immediately recognized them as your work.
Yes, they are! The perfect word; Parasites! To bad most people just sit numbly and watch this crap!
This kind of thing happened in the past, but it is amplified so much on the web. Sadly, the ‘bad’ tend to be the big guys who simply ignore those of us who share or who are small sellers or are trying to get a unique idea off the ground. The big guys know that we small potatoes types don’t have the money, time or manpower to fight unfairness and unethical behavior. I feel for you!
Sadly…
I’ve donated before also and would pay for a subscription. I did see your rock idea on that “5” program and wondered…now I know where those creative ideas originate. Unfortunately for every technology created for the people’s benefit, there are those who pervert it. I think your fans will help you come up with ways to protect your gifts to us. First by watching for these creative thefts and then reporting them so the thieves realize they’re being busted and held accountable. We can’t be silent!
Yes, I realized that as well and also that they reap millions $ from the hard workers. Word needs to get out! Such ‘parasites’!!! Thanks for chiming in!