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!
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!
Also, content theft tools help some, but do not provide full protection. Even if right clicking is disabled, transparent overlay pixel images are used, etc, it’s still possible to copy content, through screen grabs, picture enhancement and elargement software, watermarks can also be removed, etc.
Then, words, ideas, elements, ingredients and techniques cannot be copyrighted, but articles can, formulas can, objects can, at least to a certain extent.
Fact is, once something is “out there” it is up for grabs.
It all amounts up to ethics and respect for another’s work.
I agree with what some others said, that it’s probably best to move along and not waste energy and resources and brain cells figuring out how to get back at the unethical bastards that stole your work.
All the best!
Yes, I have somewhat learnt from this and have had to keep going or it was going to mean that I was stopping. I do teach at a college and have often cautioned my students about over sharing their work since they are not quite wise to it all yet. Yup, once it’s out… it’s never able to be hidden. I just have to have faith that the good outweighs the bad!
Hi Barb ,Just wanted to thank you for shareing your fabulose talent ! I was so disapointed to read that people would stoop so low as to clame your imagination and talent as there own.
Please know that you are appriciated and we hope that theses people some how pay for there underhanded deeds? Hope you can take it as a compliment to your art ,I have just discovered you and your work a few days ago and can’t stop from comming back . You are so very inspiring.
Michele
Oh Thanks for the kind words! I guess we all learn the hard way. I do warn my students often…
I detest when others knowingly take credit for my work/ideas, so I get how irksome it can be. But, I know when I release them into “the wild”, they will be picked up and used by others. When a company picks them up and publishes, for sake of making money, that’s a different matter.
So, my question to you would be, are you after
– credit, as in a link in the text of the youtube video? Because possibly the company would add that if you requested. “More on [x] can be found at [your web link].”
– compensation, as in a percentage of income made off that video? Because that too may be something to negotiate.
Other domains of reuse of your content,
– those who “credit” you may also be making money off your work, as places like Amazon compensate sales coming to them directed from web sites – for things like tools, concrete, etc.
– pinterest type collections of “Five Easy [x]”, who’ve ads on their websites, and their “web site” is merely collections of links to others web sites, for sake of ad sales on their web sites.
Whatever you decide, I hope you come to a place of resolve/peace, with your decisions.
Best wishes.
Oh my! And I’ve seen both videos on FB, had no idea they stole the ideas! Definitely going to go unfollow them right now!! Happened across some of your work on Pinterest so followed to site. You do some amazing work!! I’ve forgotten the proper name but the faux wood outdoor chair is so awesome and inspiring!
Hi Barb, I understand completley as I have a lot of free art videos on my You Tube channel and one of my followers reported that one of the lessons had appeared on another paid site. It was one wherew only my hands appeared and not my face so I suppose they thought they could get away with it! When I reported it to the site they only took a short while to investigate and remove. It does disenchant you with some of the public out there but others are very kindly on the watch and reporting back when they see this sort of behaviour. love your blog!
I don’t have enough time to search for my stuff out there. It’s sad to find it taken. Glad you enjoy my site. I have those thoughts in the back of my head all the time now…
Barb,
Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us! So sorry to hear of 5-Minute Crafts and their blatant THEFT of your work. You are truly an amazing artist.
Joan
Hi. I’m new to your creativity. I saw the creepy eyes rocks on Pinterest and hit the read button. It took me to instructables. Did you post it through them? Ive seen a lot of stuff on that site and was wondering how ligit it is. I did finally find your site and followed your instructions on how to make my own. Just curious because 5 min craft stole from you. Jsyk…. Love your ideas
Yes, I have posted on Instructables! I have won many of their contests, so I do not mind. They have lots of great tutorials as well, but do come back to my site!
Hi Barb, love your site! I’m sorry you are having to deal with this. I actually found one of my projects on Houzz, hijacked from my Pinterest page. They didn’t credit it, so I commented that it was my creation and if anyone wanted instructions for it, they could follow and message me. But I don’t make a living from my crafts. In your case, they are taking potential income. I have seen sites such as AliBaba sell prints of my friends’ original works they stole from social media. Keep up the good fight and best of luck with it.
Also, as an aside, 5 minute crafts also has their own streaming channel offered by Roku and other streaming devices. (Not LG, or other smart device makers though). You might want to explore that avenue, as well.
Sad to say a 5-minute crafts video I saw on Facebook, is how I found your site today!! ugh The step spook and lil cute eyed zipper critter was in the video. I searched the details, not knowing what to call them and found the true source of such amazing creativity, this site. All the links on Pinterest and Instructables I found today did have your watermark however. If I see any not marked I will let you know, if you wish. Uncreative folk need to give credit where credit is due!
Can you please send me the link? They were supposed to be taken down!
gahh I forgot to say I would love to see you do a draped concrete fairy….think they would be cute! lol I do altered art, myself, bottles mainly and no concrete LOL I adore seeing the many styles and creativity of others. Keep up the amazing work!
I literally have so many ideas in that brain of mine but getting to make them all is a problem! This pandemic has added so muck extra work into my life that I’m spread quite thin. I do have a few projects in the works though – stay tuned!
I am so sorry about your website. I would be feeling the same way, violated. I am letting you know that I think you are an amazing artist. My children are still little so art is surrounded by what they can do for right now. I love what you do and I am so happy you keep on creating and sharing. Someday I hope to create beautiful art like you
That’s very kind of you! I remember when my children were small and I would have ‘craft’ birthday parties for them. I also enjoyed designing and making their clothes which also saved money. There’s always a way to be creative. I’m sure you can make beautiful art, ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’!