Last night I received a private message on the website Cake Central. Its been awhile since I've participated in the gallery or forums on that site, so I was a bit intrigued. Another user messaged me to let me know that one of my photos had been stolen from the site. As it turns out a bakery in North Carolina had stolen one of my photos and is using it as part of their gallery. They are claiming it as their own work!! It is not linked back to me, or credited to me in any way.
I took the photo below for my 365 Day Photo Challenge (see here.) This photo is of my computer screen showing the bakery's website and my photo on it!
You can see the original post of my photo here.
I was able to obtain her user name on Cake Central and sent a message to her. I am still waiting for a response.
I am quite flattered that she was inspired by my cupcakes. However, if you're inspired give credit where credit is due. Or, use my photo as inspiration to create your own version. I find inspiration online all of the time. While I typically only post my own work (as in my own creation or my own version of someone else's ideas), occasionally I may post something that is not mine. I always give credit! I often give credit when I recreate a design in my own vision.
My promise, as a blogger, is to give credit where it is due. If I post a photo, and my source is "unknown" please message me if it is yours so I can link it properly.
Should you be inspired to use my work, please link it back to me.
In the blogosphere and Internet in general we all need to be respectful of each other! Feed on each other's creativity, get inspired and make amazing things, but do it with dignity and respect!
OK...stepping down off of my soapbox now. Thanks for reading.
Who would ever do such a thing? Disgusting! Sorry to hear about the rip off.
ReplyDeleteCandace
oh no! How terrible! Go after them!
ReplyDeletehugs!
Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
Sorry to hear that...hang in there, not fun at all!
ReplyDelete