Other sites plagorizing OVAS content and taking credit for it.

[beowulf]

Maybe we should take a trip out to Michigan with some mod corrected ire.....

[Crumpet]

I don't know about bats, but I'm wondering if we can copyright protect our articles and pictures and such? 

[Brine]

Violence is no answer.....we are Canadian....



let's use hockey sticks

[beowulf]

Violence is no answer.....we are Canadian....



let's use hockey sticks

True would be more Canadian, though it would be funny to beat them with the tool of their national sport!!!

[groan]

I don't know about bats, but I'm wondering if we can copyright protect our articles and pictures and such? 

There is no need to go through any formal process to do this, Jenn, it is done by default as soon as you make anything public.

Any photo taken on this site by whoever took it automatically is protected by that persons copyright. Just because it is copyriten (sp?) still does not stop amyone crom using it.
What needs to be done is on the images a watermark needs to be applied so that anyone stealing the image wont be able to get rid of a big OVAS across the top of the image. (in watermark format meaning althoug it is there, it is faded so as to still be able to see the images) you see thsi at alot of image websites, like Shutterstock..http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-1963940-friends-comparing-notes-in-a-school-library.html)

[babblefish1960]

That is actually a very good idea, how to do that with articles too would be the question as well.

[schauret]

That is actually a very good idea, how to do that with articles too would be the question as well.

Perhaps publish the articles as PDF documents again with a watermark.

[dan2x38]

This is totally wrong in so many ways!  Watermarks are a great idea. But it is so sad we have to go to those lengths. Those persons must be so small. How embrassing if they were uncovered before their peers.

Adding watermarks & PDF docs. would add so much time by the author. Many do not have the know how or software to accomplish this. So that would leave the Webmaster having to do it then after editting and approval be posted. Holy crap batman!!!  x 1,000

[groan]

lol, t'was but a thought.

[dan2x38]

lol, t'was but a thought.

Hope you know I meant your idea is a good one! x 1,000

The anger is towards those other aquarists stealing some elses ideas, photos, DIY projects, etc. That's what I am pointing at as being wrong in so many ways. 

No anger at your idea. It is just sad that we have to consider such measures! 

[mseguin]

Maybe I'm wrong but pretty sure a watermark on a .pdf would be really easy to get around.

[rockgarden]

The only advantage of applying a watermark or copyright notice to a digital photo or article is the small bit of consolation of knowing that the individual actually knew that it was copyright before altering it for their own use (i.e they violated your copyright fully knowing that they were stealing).  The copyright notice or watermark can be digitally removed almost as easily as it was applied (probably more easily since there are automated programs now written for just such a purpose)

In the photographic world there is a case that just finally got under way where a porno company used a young girls image on one of their CDs without her permission. All of us "amateurs" who post our photos on-line hope that she wins really big to set a useful precedence.

I've had two photos "stolen" at a film development retailer before digital ever came along so copyright violation is not a new issue.  On Flickr site peer pressure and publicising the fact as broadly as possible is the least expensive way of responding and most likely the most effective (hockey sticks notwithstanding).

Although the website announcement about purpose sounds altruistic, the point of the activity is to make money from all of the bordering ads.  If you want to have immediate results send an e-mail directly to a few or all of the advertisers saying something like:

Dear sirs;
We notice recently that you are supporting what I (we) consider to be illegal activity by advertising with ****. Over the past many months this site has been posting copyrighted material without attribution to or consideration of the original copyright holder and we thought that you might like to be aware of that. For further background information please see OVAS link ***."

I suspect action will occur much more quickly than you might imagine.

Ron

[beowulf]

I like that idea Ron, a great way to hit sites is via the advertisers.

[Brine]

Ron, just let me say. Brilliant!!! I bow down to your most excellent and humble reaction. I lay down my hockey stick on the ice and skate away. Note: I don't actually have one and wouldn't use it as a weapon even if I did.

[Fishnut]

I've been on some websites that have an acivated protection for the pictures.  When I cliced on it to save it, a message popped up saying that feature ahs been disabled to protect the rights of the photographer.

[dan2x38]

I've been on some websites that have an activated protection for the pictures.  When I cliced on it to save it, a message popped up saying that feature ahs been disabled to protect the rights of the photographer.

You can still save the pics & content. This is controlled by Java or Active-X Code. You need only go into your Tools Internet Security turn off allow Java & Active X close IE then restart and prestoe... SAVE_As is enabled on right click... 

[Fishnut]

Dan, Have you seen that commercial for either future shop or best buy with the insulting robot:).

I hope we can come up with a way to prevent other sites from stealing our material.