Skip to main content

Pinterest


Pinterest has been a topic of great contention the last couple months, and the roar is getting louder.

For those who've been in a cave and missed all the hoopla, Pinterest is a free website that allows users to "pin" images found on the internet into folders/categories that they design.

So what's the big deal?

Well, the big deal is that the majority of content on the internet is copyright protected. It's not free for the taking, even if one is only filing it on a website for future inspiration. 

Additionally, many Pinterest users don't pay attention to the source from which they are pinning. This can mis-attribute something (like a fabulous tutorial being credited to - and generating income for - a Chinese knock-off site instead of the independant artist who created it) (here's a link to Pin Etiquette).

Pinterest's Terms of Service Agreementrequires users only pin content they own themselves or have express permission to use. How does one begin to police a policy that relies on the honor system?

Let the record reflect that I love Pinterest and the creativity it nurtures. And while I have concerns about copyright infringement, I don't doubt that Pinterest will act swiftly in setting clearer guidelines for usage and work with creatives in protecting intellectual property. And in this process, more people will get educated about respecting copyright law.

Meanwhile, I pledge to pin only images I have permission to share. This will take a little extra effort but it's an act of kindness towards the individual who's talent brought me the inspiration in the first place.

And I grant permission to pin any of my images on my blog. There's a reason for that - these photos carry a copyright protected watermark (so that the next bozo who gets the idea to use my painting as advertising for his own pet portraiture will be forewarned).

Follow me on Pinterest, too, if you want (I'm Kimberly Santini). Be cautious, though - it's a black hole - make sure you pack some snacks!!

Thanks for listening to my rant!!
Kim




Every image I share is copyright protected, 
even if the watermark is missing.

Copyright


I harp often about copyright. It's an issue that impacts my earning potential.

I've spent my whole life honing my craft and building a body of work, work that will help me secure future projects.

You are welcome to pin my artwork that appears on my blog - this sort of enthusiasm will also bring future projects my way. Thanks in advance for your endorsement!

But please don't take my images and post them on your blog/website, use them to illustrate articles, modify them for logo designs, repurpose as advertisement, or copy them and market your own derivative art.

That would be copyright infringement. In which case I will happily introduce my lawyer and present a bill for usage.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Suzie12:15 PM

    Oh, well said! Thank you for educating your audience. Brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kimberly Kelly Santini12:25 PM

    thanks, Suzie! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sally Martin5:50 AM

    Thanks for the info, very well explained. I am a Pinterest newbie so will be taking my first look because of your post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kimberly Kelly Santini9:10 AM

    You are welcome, Sally - have fun pinning away! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Picture Book "A Dog Named Blue" - now available!!

The cover of "A Dog Named Blue," now available from Blurb publishers. When I first painted Amelia I never imagined that she would be re-christened "Blue" and inspire a book. In her defense, Amelia had a number of other partners in crime - animals who's portraits seemed to fall into a specific color category and prompt color-centric names. In typical ADD fashion, my brain started spinning 100mph. What if I turned those muses' paintings into a picture book for animal loving kids? I shared my idea with three friends in the industry, and they eagerly offered their expertise. I am truly indebted to them. Illustrator and author Matt Faulkner and children's book author and literacy expert Kristen Remenar edited an early version of the draft. They suggested key plot/conceptual changes that made it oodles better. Designer Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson worked her magic, pairing the images with perfectly color
1 comment
Read more

Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po
Post a Comment
Read more

Dear Copyright Thieves

Dear Copyright Thieves,   Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's free for the taking. So let's just stop pretending the internet is a free-for-all.   Don't play the card that you didn't know - that's insulting. And don't also tell me that you meant to follow up and get permission but never got a chance to. That's insulting too. And by the way, don't you have a copyright protection notice on your own site?   And don't even try and point the finger at a third party who commissioned you to make a copy of my painting - again, an insult - you and I both know the difference between a reference photo and a painting.   And don't tell me that I asked for it because I share my artwork on the internet. I share my paintings and ideas and the stories behind them so as to encourage others to pursue  their own passions . I do not share so that those lacking integrity and morals can copy and market the images as their own
33 comments
Read more