Images being stolen from DeviantART, Violating copyright laws Options

[WindSorcerous]

I left a while ago because I wasn't into doing layouts anymore. I went onto deviantART for my photography. When I came back to createblog, I noticed a lot of images were taken from artists on DA to make layouts, or use for photos, etc. So, what added to my reason why I left was that members on createblog were taking images from deviantART.com. If you use an image from deviantART for one of your layouts, it is stealing and violating copyright laws.

What I'm annoyed about is that to make all my old layouts I went to a graphic site that gave permission to use images. What I didn't realize was that those images did not belong to that user but were from all over the web...probably some from deviantART and others from individual artists. Be careful in selecting images. Either make your own or have direct permission from the user because you can't trust sites that say the images are free to use. They might not be their own...

In light of all of this, I'm going to have my layouts removed because I do not feel it is right to still have them up. Though I gave credit to the owner of the site...those images were not belonging to that user in the first place. Eh, I younger at the time, but now since I know it is not an excuse. Also, giving credit to the artist does not cut it. You need to have expressed written permission. Even if the piece does not have a signature; it is still copyrighted by the owner.


So please, do not steal images from deviantART or anywhere else for that matter. Take your own photos or make your own from scratch. Manipulations of photos and removing the siguature from an artist's piece is stealing. Be unique, be original!


Sorry for all of you who really liked my layouts, but I removed them.

<3


Oh, and the reason why I put "retired" was because I still have people contacting me asking me to help them with layouts LoL I forgot all about them until just recently

[*Zatanna*]

It's unfortunate that these things happen and I do respect your decision to actually do something about what you believe is wrong.

I know that some artists make the disclaimer that you "can use, but please credit." I wouldn't think those would require written permission.

Also, I think that most artists realize (or should at least realize) that once you post something on the internet, your work is vulnurable to being used or stolen. It's unfortunate, but that's just the way it is. You would hope that people would respect the artists enough to get permission. *sighs*

As far as photography, graphics, etc that are both submitted as a graphic here and/or used in layouts, I think that the moderators for those areas are really doing the best they can to ensure art isn't being stolen. I don't envy them at all in that task.

So if you see something you think is stolen, help cB out and inform someone (design staff, My Space Staff, Xanga Staff, admins) that you have spotted a copyright infringement.