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!
Unfortunately the internet is a double edged sword. Having the exposure of the internet has allowed countless artists to find customers for their art they could not have gained any other way but that same exposure gives thieves the opportunity to profit from someone else’s work.. I have read several similar cases and the general consensus seems to be just to tell yourself that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and carry on. As a solo entrepreneur the costs of mounting a legal challenge against a $70,000,000 company would be prohibitively expensive and you could find yourself in litigation for years. That kind of stress would likely take so much time and energy from your business that it could ruin you. I understand how you feel violated and angry and I don’t want to trivialize those feelings but maybe “Keep Calm and Carry on” would be the most productive way to handle the situation. It likely won’t be the last time an idea will be appropriated but the internet is so vast there will still be millions of people who will appreciate the work you do and they may never hear of that nasty company.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to spread the word about that company and maybe enough negative feedback will put a dent in there operations. But please try to put it behind you for your own sanity.
My grandson loved your rock projects. We made them last Christmas. It’s appalling that someone would take your creations, which you freely share with all of us, and claim them as their own! Stealing is stealing. We thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us. Bad juju on the thieves!
I called them out on it on youtube on the video and also posted about it on twitter and facebook. I know it’s not much but I will do what I can to spread the word around about what they are doing.
You do great work and I love all your tutorials. Much love!
THANKS so much!!! I’m sure they know what’s going on!
Heartbreaking that this can happen to someone who shares knowledge and ideas so unselfishly. It is shameful of Facebook to not even attempt to do something to acknowledge what happened. But good for you to call them out, hopefully the truth prevails. I think you are brilliant and am so grateful for all that you do share. I am willing to do what I can in support of you and your talent. I will share that Alliexpress is selling pirated art and craft supplies on their site by some rather popular crafters. I for one refuse to shop there any more, not that I can make a big difference, but I can choose not to support something something I deem wrong. More power to you Barb!
I know this is a little bit of “locking the barn door after the horse has gotten out” , but at one time I designed websites for manufacturers and professional people. One of my clients was well known in the entertainment industry for the work he did. He wanted to post pictures of his work, which I did. Lo and behold – the same thing happened to him in a different context. That sent me searching, and I found more than one way to “lock” down your pages and/or photos so they cannot be downloaded and used. I don’t know who does your site, but you could inform them of this, I wish that I could remember what I used, but it was so long ago.
Best of luck – I know how infuriated I would be!!!
Well, they used the instructions and made photos almost exactly the same. I have that now. But the real parasites spend their efforts getting past that! ‘Since they aren’t actually making ideas…
Hi Barb, What a terrible thing to happen. Rest assured karma will kick in and they will eventually get their due. My 2 pennies worth is that perhaps you create a private page and only put your designs up there. So you can manage who views them. I love your work and have some some samples using the microwave oven and they turned out ok. Will you be doing any online eco-printing workshops in the future?
So far I do not have the time to do workshops and there are many things to consider before bringing in people. (insurance, accessibility etc) Somehow the 70 million $ profit does not sound like karma. 🙁
This is clearly theft of idea. If I were you I would get angry, as I suppose you are, but I would also say through my gritted teeth: No ugly, mean company is ever going to make me petty. I’ll continue as I have always done, but ask my readers to — whenever they see my ideas misused or stolen — simply write a comment saying: I saw this idea years/months/weeks ago at Made By Barb [link] and as it is her idea, her explanations etc. are much better.
In short, don’t stop doing what you’re god at, but have all the nice people help you fight the few bad ones.
Clearly you have been the victim of theft. In future, why not put your trademark handprint on every photo and add a warning to others to not copy without proper credit and a link to your site.
I have a watermark of my logo on each picture, but that does not stop them. I also have stated reproduction for non personal usee in prohibited. Does not stop the scum.
This is so disheartening! You put so much time into your great tutorials. My grandson and I had such a great time making your rocks with the eyes and teeth. I’ve never heard of these thieves before. Let us know what we can do to help you stop them and just know that we appreciate all that you bring us.
Leaving comments will get the word out somewhat: Thanks. Glad you enjoyed them…
How can I help? I was a jewelry maker some years back and had a website selling some of my speciality items (cancer awareness bracelets) and ALL of the proceeds of those items went to that cause. The same happened to me. I was a one woman shop with no time or energy to fight it. Honestly it was a hobby for me and I was under a lot of stress just having lost my husband. So I closed my site and moved on. But this is very different than what I dealt with. Please let me know what I can do to help you
I hate to hear things like that. I also teach in a college and it’s becoming a HUGE issue there as well since the youth think it’s all good practice. Leave comments or pass the word around. Thanks
So sorry this has happened to you. In order to encourage and respect creative endeavour, our society needs to protect and reward artistic genius,. You are one such. Fighting injustice behind the scenes, never gets far. Have you considered contacting The Spec or “Go Public” at CBC? A burden shared is a burdened lightened. We are with you. Your story needs a broader audience!