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!
Glad to see some progress. I don’t comment online much, preferring to be an observer, but I was incensed by this and did leave them a message about their shamelessness.
You have a lot of folks who love your efforts and will support you as we can; hopefully, we helped in some small way.
Wow, I’m impressed! I’m quite a quiet soul but hate theft. Such a great bunch I have!
I posted a negative comment on 5-minute crafts and made a donation to your site. I will try to remember to make regular donations when I visit. I love your stuff, although I haven’t had time to try the ecoprinting yet, it is on my list. Thanks for your wonderful work.
Thanks so much! I appreciate the support in both ways! I’m feeling the ‘love’ lately! So much to make!
I Was shocked to see how 5 minutes craft has stolen Your ideas. Relieved that You tube has taken it down. You are so clever to figure out new items and new ways of making things. Love to read Your posts! I wish You a happy new week!
I am so angry for you and can’t believe that canned response (I have received the same!). How can we stop this? I will do what I can for you
I have left countless comments, no reply. Any reputable company would actually reply. Just spread the word… Thanks
Have you emailed them from their website? They are owned by TheSoul Publishing (Cypress). Then, file a Cease and Desist and report them to Go Daddy. https://thesoul-publishing.com/#contacts (scroll down to the bottom for their email form). Seems like a highly successful company. . .sue them.
I have emailed them back and forth. After ‘taking’ advantage of about 75,000,000 views they decided they would offer to give some credit… Sorry, too late! I blasted them and have seen my content has now been taken out of their (crappy) videos! I hope they have the message to now stay away. Yes, sue. But there is only so much of me and I’m much better at creating than that aggravation. Soon the internet world will realize the truth.
I am not surprised that vultures took your work. They go through getting 20 random snippets to put together and wait for click after click to hear those advertiser pennies adding up. They do any subject and include the same videos in multiple posts: 10 Easy Ways; 15 Five Minute Tricks; Hacks for xxx. I’ve watched some concrete ones but never any with these. I stick with the “pour it in a box, set, peel the box away, you’ve got a paperweight!” I’ll start watching these to have an aim. I’m not at all surprised Facebook wouldn’t pull it. They would leave up a show-it-all video of a 14 hrs natural birth if they thought they’d make a dime. YouTube, however, is pretty good about giving the benefit of the doubt early in the process and adding it back if they rule against you. I’m so sorry this happened to you and especially because it happened for pure profit rather than the educational processes these people pretended to be so generously sharing.
You have said it perfectly! I also see why these videos are so popular since the mass population has no patience, wants everything instantly with no effort. They have cashed in on that notion. Does anyone ever get off the sofa and make some; no, because there is not enough info. Ah, I’ll close my mouth now… ‘Maybe’ I’ve given them a tiny blip! Let’s hold our real creative heads high! Thanks so much for your help!
Dear Barb,
I can’t express how sorry I am your creative video was hijacked by, unfortunately it seems, untouchable parasites.
I’ve stopped posting my work on Facebook when I saw exact replicas of my work for sale on Etsy, ‘copywrited’ by the thief. I too felt violated, especially because the work was very personal and part of a larger project. It is infuriating and also sad. I took all of my work down.
For the past 12 years I have lived a very isolated life from my friends and artists -geographically and because I am housebound- and this was my only way of being part of a community, exchanging ideas…. But I lost my trust. I won’t risk it again.
You put so much into your site, I am so grateful to you for your wonderful tutorials and projects. I am disgusted some company makes money by plagiarising your work and other artists’. I really feel for you.
Sincerely, chloe
I have heard a lot of stories now and really worry about the future. I also teach in a college and I keep warning the over-trusting students. Maybe there is a more secure way to still be able to part of a community. Thanks for your compassion, I wish you well.
Toujours émerveillée par votre talent
Merci à vous
Bonne soirée
Eliane
Hi Barb.
You don’t have to publish this if you don’t want but I wanted to let you know what I found out this morning.
That ‘5 minute crafts’ account is – and this sounds bizarre I know – a social media account coming out of Greece and run by Russians. It’s actual purpose is a carrier for anti-American advertising.
Anyway, I’m sure that you can do your own research on it but you can have a look at Rachel Maddow’s story here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klFdOyQq79Y and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us8Ko1WZhjM
Facebook has actually done the right thing and banned it
Blessings, and have a wonderful Christmas with your precious family
Oh, wow! I am not surprised at all! How disgusting! I have noticed certain countries are always the ones who just steal my content. It makes my stomach turn! As I tell my college students; they have great opportunities now to be able to market globally but they also must now compete globally, and deal with the problems that come with that. I guess I was naive to think it was a ‘nice’ world! So glad that being creative makes me happy or I would have exploded by now. Thanks for the info!!!!
I was watching Rachel Maddow (MSNBC) last week and she reported that 5-Minute Crafts is posted by a huge disinformation company. I believe it is Russia owned or a group associated with wrongdoing. She said that the company gets people hooked on crafts sites so they stay connected and will use their data and info that is aimed to interfere with the 2020 election. They are reeling in millions off viewers and will intensify as we get closer to the election. I trust Rachel’s research. Glad you have resolved the issue.
Oh, wow! I know they made a bunch off my content. I also see that there are YouTube channels that test how many of the projects don’t even work. Sad use of internet.
Hi,I love your smiley rocks and would like to be able to make and sell on ebay ,would you have any problems with that Regards Keith
Thanks. If you make as mine please include credit to me as the designer. If you somehow make them different then they can be your design.