Reporting from the Battlefield of Protecting-My-Copyrights. If you are just joining, the story started a few days ago. Catch up if you must.
In this continuing Copyright Melodrama that rivals a Greek tradgedy, I did get a response this morning (today was the deadline).
They asked me for my Copyright Registration on the designs. Which I do have.
WHAT!!??? Can't they see the book is published? Can't they see the designs are mine? Don't they know that the designs they are using are not their own? What the F!@# is F@#$%ing wrong with them!!
First impulse was to send it to them. Luckily it was not within arm's length, and I had to rush off to my day job.
Fester fester fester....how should I handle this???
Fester Fester Fester....some of you will understand this, many of you may not (the festering, that is).
Why do I have to prove to them that they stole from me as well as others? They should prove to me that they have the rights to use the designs (snowballs in hell stand more of a chance of growing to become glaciers)
Fester fester fester.
I am not being productive during my day job.
Finally after the fog of sour emotions cleared, so did my thinking. I need a plan of attack.
Here it goes:
Plan of attack #1 Contact Eagle's View Publishing who ALSO holds a copyright on the book itself (I have it on the designs). Status: AWAITING ANSWER
Plan of attack #2 List all of the earrings that they used to complain to Go Daddy. There were 45! Plus since then I found (missed) 5 more. Status: DONE
Plan of attack #3 Inform one designer who I know is also being used by them (still looking for Veon Schunzel. ANYONE know her whereabouts? MANY MANY of the designs they use are hers). I informed her. She has 6 designs that they were using. With a little persuasion, I enlisted her in my plan of attack 1 and 2. Status DONE
Plan of attack #4 Email my copyright attorney for advice. Have him send me paperwork for a retainer in the event I need it. Status: DONE Got good advice, feeling well armed.
Awaiting further developments. And trying to maintain a sense of humor
Signing out from the Copyright Battlefield
your battered reporter/soldier
virtural moral support going your way. Festering and frustrations ain't good for the creative beading soul... but I totally understand.
ReplyDeleteThank you Judith,
ReplyDeleteI could use a lot of (virtual) support. This is not an easy thing to deal with, emotionally, financially, time and a host of other ways. But I cant give up. Not for myself and not for the bead-designing family I am part of. We cannot afford to lose on a violation this big. If we/I do then all of us designers should just give it up and either let everyone have free reign to do with our hard work as they like, or give up designing entirely. This sort of thing makes me question if I want to share my patterns with anyone and just keep it all for myself and a few very trusted beading friends.
Sig
I love this! Plan of attack for sure. You're on the offensive now! Good going!
ReplyDeleteGood luck this is so painful to deal with. We had a range of bead knitting patterns here in Australia and found a creature who was just black and white photocopying them and selling them in her shop. Tried to chase this up and it took ages and was so hard. She had to stop selling them in her shop, which she did. A year later, shop closed, she was doing markets and the same again. Fool, this time it went a little further, but the pain, the angst, the "why do I bother". I hate the fact that people think they can borrow a book from a library, copy a pattern and share it with the friends. Little do they know the blood, sweat, tears and sleepless nights that go into writing a pattern, coming up with new ides.
ReplyDeleteI am standing right behind you, even from a long way away, and wish you every success in this effort. Shame that personal designers have so much problem protecting their copywright. Shame it doesn't happen to someone like Coke or Pepsi.
Go girl and does not lose hope - we are marching with you.
Mary Farrugia
Maria's Beads & Trims
Melbourne Australia
More virtual support here as well. Have never been in your situation but as one who struggles to come up with some patterns and is currently searching for her own style, I heartily agree. Copyright exists for a purpose and those who trample on it should be squelched and punished. Your plan sounds like the absolute right approach. The right muscle behind you means everything. I hope you find the other designer to get her on your side as well. I empathize with the frustration and the festering. Don't lose hope. The only way this will stop is if the artistic community as a whole continues to fight it. The beading community is getting stronger by the day and letting all of us know about this kind of abuse will garner support and help others who face the same trial. You go, girl. Keep us informed and we will keep you in our prayers and root like hell for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteGo Get 'em Girl! I'm behind you 100% too. Your plan of attack sounds like a good plan to me and I know thing will work out in your favor. Hang in there and looks like you've got lots of moral support!
ReplyDeleteLori
Sig I am so sorry! I have a situation in which a website used a picture of one of my bangle bracelets to promote thier bracelet section. I never received a response after 2 emails. I do not have a book of designs, or any patents. No lawyer either. It's very frustrating. I hope you can get those people to remove your designs or pay you LOTS of money for using them. I hope it is resolved soon for you.
ReplyDelete