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!
I feel for you. The only thing they can not steal is your amazing creativity Barb. Don’t let this deter you. Remember the greatest form of flattery is imitation. You are doing something right with your projects because they are being copied. I suggest you look into protecting your content but also look into marketing it well so you reach a larger audience. So more people KNOW you are the original amazing IDEA person and how great you are.
Hugs
Cindy
I am so sorry that this has happened to you. Whenever I see someone selling another artists work as their own, I report them and their site. I hope this little bit helps. I love all your projects and your generosity in sharing them. Sending you positive vibes for good results. ❤️
please carry on! love your site and was moved to donate once, I would pay a subscription fee!
Thanks, that’s nice to hear.
Hi, Barb. Love you. I am not an attorney but you might ask yours if focusing on just the first (rock) case might help. The thieves finds support for the claim that “their” projects are similar, but not identical, to yours. The second case can be called “similar” because they messed it up, That is not true in the first case. If you can nail them on ONE case, you have won the whole issue. Do let us know if there is anything we can do to help. nv
Hi Barb…
I first found you on a Pinterest post (a few years ago)…went directly to your website and have been an avid subscriber ever since. I am ALWAYS happy to see a “Made By Barb” email in my inbox! : ) I LOVE your concrete projects especially!!
When I first found you, the post was about creating those amazingly beautiful concrete orbs…I have been hooked ever since!! I LOVE your creativity and your willingness to share your creative ‘spark’ with others (THANK YOU SO MUCH!) and I HATE that you have picked up some nasty parasites along the way!
I do not have any enlightening ‘legal advice’ to offer…I am just a ‘regular person’ that loves your ideas and doesn’t want them to stop. I can only tell you that I am very upset that you have been taken advantage of and can’t even imagine what you are feeling!! (well…maybe I can…) I hope the ‘nasty’ doesn’t make you withdraw from sharing your creativity with us and, I hope you can see from all of these quick and supportive responses that there are more good people than bad out there following your creativity…the bad just leave a longer-lasting bitter taste that can overshadow the good sometimes.
I have noticed several comments suggesting you start charging a monthly subscription fee and, while I totally see their point, I am also one of those people that just does not have much extra money. I’m not sure that I (personally) would be able to pay a fee on a regular basis but…that’s just my own personal circumstance. I DO think you should get a portion (if not ALL…ALL would be great!!) of the $70million that 5-Minute-Crafts and FB are generating from your ideas!
I wish you only the BEST and hope this works out for you! I am not a member of FaceBook or any other social media but, will definitely let you know if I see any of your projects ‘floating around’ on the internet that are not tied to you directly.
Lastly, please take a moment to just focus on YOU and your own well-being! I know that all of this is definitely giving you a lot of stress and is weighing heavily on you right now…please do not let it drag you down to the ‘dark places’. : )
Wow, thanks for your time. I understand that not everyone can afford a monthly fee as I see that my patterns that are not free do not get bought. Sadly too many just stop by to get the free stuff! I chuckle when some complain that there are ads. It’s what the world is coming to now; that feeling of ‘entitlement’, just take & get for free. I work had for the revenue I get and often question this venture. It’s the joke of the week; ‘I think I’m quitting’ around my place. I do have a strong spirit so I shall persevere… Thankfully much joy comes from making and now from my fans as well! ❤️❤️❤️
So sorry to read this. Unfortunately posting on the internet leaves us all vulnerable to these thieves 🙁 I’ve gone to their FB and clicked on the “find support or report page” button under their cover page and then clicked on “intellectual property”. Waiting now for FB to respond. I’m sure if enough people do this they will have to pay attention. Commenting under the video is usually ignored by most viewers. Hope this will help!
Yes, good for you! FB did not help me at all. It’s amazing how they can’t see it. I think we know what the deciding factor is. Enough people, will probably never happen as too many are in a numb state as they let the videos be pumped at them. Most do not even realize how it all works, just that it looks ‘cool’. The future is in trouble… But I’ll be fine because I have pride in what I do.
Dear Barb, I am so sorry to hear about the theft of your ideas. It is horrible that someone/something should lack integrity to this extent. I totally agree with Dianne who put it so eloquently. Your work is amazing and wonderful. I love to see what new idea your creativity comes up with and tell my friends to check you out. If there is anything we can do as your followers, please let us know. Best of luck against the Goliaths!
Dorothy
Thanks, I know I have to get past it and move on. Haha, I did write to a major Tv show and YouTube has not made a decision, as of yet. I just have it in the back of my mind that this will happen with everything that I design… It’s tough to swallow. But I am finding so many chime in with similar stories! How infuriating!
I am so glad that you were able to get youtube to remove the stolen content. I do hope that might help but I do not know. Seems stealing content has gotten much worst over the years.
So sorry Barb- this kind of thing happens so often – I am glad you got somewhere with YouTube! We have had our photos stolen that our customers send to post on our website, and techniques used that we shared with others as their own. We found out because a few customers of our told us so, or we would have no idea. There is no integrity any more. I am so sorry this happened to you. We need to stick together and call it out when we see it.
Yes, That’s how I found out too! I’m almost afraid to look for my stuff out there… Someone should make a site where such reporting can come together. Any lawyer out there who wants some handmade things?! I love bartering. Don’t let your thieves get away with it either! Good luck!
Hi Barb,
I too am so sorry about this blatant theft and I’m sure you’re not the only artist that it happens to. My friend ran into a similar problem several years ago with copyright infringement. She was lucky enough to have filed for a the rights to her brand name. I know here in the US there are different copyrights (on company business/brand names in her case) depending on how wide you want to “cast your net”…i.e. locally, by state, country, etc.
I also know there are intellectual copyrights. These cover such things as literary and artistic works, scientific discoveries, basically unique and non-tangible works. I doubt Monet, Picasso or Manet worried about copyrights when they were painting, but try to pass one of your paintings off as one of theirs and I don’t think a mere rejection from Facebook would be all that happens.
I’m not trying to make light of your situation (by NO means). I’m trying to say there is a way to protect yourself and you DO have proof that these ideas are (and were) your unique artistic creations.
I’m not sure if there is much you can do about the projects that have already been copied. I haven’t really delved that deeply into it yet, but from what I have read there is a difference (even if copyrighted) for consent. Posting something and allowing users to use your idea as they see fit (for non-monetary gain) gives them the right to do just that. If 5-Minute Crafts isn’t claiming intellectual rights then they can pretty much post whatever. If your content is copyrighted and you are implicit that no one may re-post without consent and giving credit then that guideline must be followed. If you copyright and are paid money for your designs and someone else posts them then the person posting would not only have to pay you for the initial, but for each time someone viewed the post whether they used the design or not (this is what I learned from a lawyer).
So even if you choose to go with a subscription site, just know that a subscriber could be someone stealing your design ideas. You’d have more power at that point, but still…it takes diligence to scour the net to catch these vile individuals.
WIPO is like the authority on world intellectual property law and a good place to start reading about it. I’m just an engineer (who wants to be a lawyer) so I have a very, very elementary understanding of it.
I pray you get resolution and I think if everyone who finds this type of thing will call it out in comments to make other aware it may be a small voice to these corporations that art and creativity are very personal and squashing the sharing may silence this joy for millions.
Thank you for taking the time to write such a great reply! Since I am in Canada and ‘they’ are in Cypress may also play a role. It’s getting worse all the time and also more complicated. I am sure there are many more such companies living off the work of others, and knock-offs have been around for a long time, but the internet makes distance not matter anymore. I see how I have to address this more and more at the college as well. I will look into WIPO, but will admit I’d rather make that frustrate myself. I’d love to be an engineer AND a lawyer! Awesome!