Stolen Picture

[QueenScoopalot]

It astounds me that a shelter can't use their own cats, and kittens as a banner, or at least go to one of the "free graphics" sites and use those! And then to add insult to injury, try making everyone feel guilty about this outright theft. I guess we'll all be seeing what the outcome is in a day or so. I'm curious as to how long this has been going on?

[ramanth]

The audacity!

[sammy101]

Has anyone heard anymore from them??

[Karen]

Sammy - see my earlier post about what they wrote back.

I have not heard from her since my response to her.

[kimlovescats]

Karen ... it will take longer, but you may have to use the "no right-click code" on all of your Pet of the Day pics! If you need the code, I can send it to you!

Also, I haven't checked the link again to see if Peanut's picture is down ... but if you keep clicking the same link, it will show anyway... you will have to refresh your browsers to see any changes!

[kimlovescats]

My shelter (Cats4Keeps) is listed on Petfinder.com, so I have access to the management. I have sent an e-mail informing them of this illegal use by this other shelter! I hope this will help!

Kim

[leslie]

Just saw this and am very disappointed in the pet shelter/rescue community. Why would they do this to their own? They have no pretty cats? What the h? I will support anyone who wants to pursue any legal action; should that deem a positive move for pettalk in terms of our privacy being guarenteed!

[shais_mom]

It is 1:20 AM on 11-13-04 in Ohio and all the COTD pics are still there.......

people are shameless.

[EssTer]

[Barbara]

Originally posted by Kona & Oreo's mom
I must disagree with this statement. Having worked in publishing for a long time, I know that a photograph is covered by copyright the instant it is "fixed in tangible form" and that includes a digital photo "fixed" in computer memory. Without doing anything (such as publishing it, registering it, or putting a circled C on it), the photographer holds the legal copyright of the photo as the creator.

When you submitted the photo to POTD, you transfered your ownership of copyright to POTD as explained by Karen. The shelter, despite the good work they do, is not legally allowed to alter or reproduce and distribute the images without permission of the new copyright owner, POTD.

Copyright law is very complex and in some places "gray." However, on this matter it is quite clear. Don't let them make you feel guilty for defending your rights.

I wanted to say the same thing. They are not right. Basically the copyright is always with the creator. He can transfer the right to other people (like to Karen when you submit a picture) but if the right hasn't been transferred to you then you don't have it.

Coypright law (especially international copyright law) is very complex but whoever publishes on the internet should have a basic idea about it.

[guster girl]

I definitely agree that the designers of the site should have asked permission before using the photos on their own site. I agree that their reaction to being approached about their mistake was anything but professional. I do think, however, the best way to respond is politely and professionally. I don't necessarily think it should be just left exclusively up to Karen to contact them, but, I do think we could maybe try to avoid resorting to name calling in our communication with the site. It's more than likely one person putting the site together, and, it looks to be a very basic site at that. It's quite possible that they didn't know it was illegal. Folks are always copying and pasting photos to show them to others. Whoever did this could have possibly honestly made a mistake. Again, I'm not saying it's not right and that they shouldn't be aware now of the laws and that they should ask Karen for permission (if it's not too late, from them being less than apologetic to polite requests). I'm just saying that maybe being hateful about it might a bit counterproductive. Just my two cents, I'm not flaming anyone.

[Vio&Juni]

Originally posted by kimlovescats
Karen ... it will take longer, but you may have to use the "no right-click code" on all of your Pet of the Day pics! If you need the code, I can send it to you!

Kim, I understand that the "no right-click code" would help protect the pictures from illegal use, but how about those that want to save the picture of their own kitty with the CatoftheDay sign? I have my Juni's picture and I also have some of my favorite kitties on PT, he-he, of course, I am not using them for any other site or callendar

[moosmom]

quote:
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By no means are we leading anyone to believe these kittens are available for adoption or that they were kittens previously adopted through or organization.
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Bull!!!

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NEVER before, prior to you has anyone ever thought the pictures were anything more than decoration.

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Translation: Never before, prior to you has anyone ever CAUGHT us using the pictures for decoration.

Debbie,

Great catch!!!

I'd be furious if any one of MY cats were on there. Oh and, btw, their grammar sucks!!! The proper word is "stolen" not "stole". They sound like some backyard rescue organization to me. When they say they're kittens are "hand picked", they probably drive around the streets picking up other people's pets. I hope petfinder.com bans them. They certainly make the legitimate rescue orgs look bad.

[Samantha Puppy]

11/13/04, 7:40am, COTD pics still up...

Great job, Karen and T&P's mom.

[moosmom]

Sorry for the double post, but I just took a look at the "death row" babies they claim are up for adoption. SOME of the pictures look awfully suspicious to me. Especially the Maine Coons, of which they seem to have an abundance of. They look as though they've been taken by a professional photographer, which alot of breeders have done to advertise kittens for sale.

Another thing...these people claim to rescue these babies from "kill shelters". If they have already been rescued out of the shelters then WHY do they have THIS on each and every one of the kitten's links:

This baby is on DEATH ROW and doesn't deserve to die. This sweet baby may die never knowing love or safety. Can you open your heart and home and give this sweetie a second chance at love? PLEASE HURRY!
THIS BABY CAN BE EUTHANIZED ANY DAY!!
SAVE THIS LIFE!
PLEASE DON'T LET THIS SWEET BABY DIE.

I smell a rat here. I hope petfinder.com looks into this further.

I have also emailed them and told them I'm interested in adopting a kitten. I want to find out what (I think) their scam is. I'll let you know what I find out and how they respond.