Real Estate Blog - ALERT! HOW TO AVOID BECOMING INFECTED WITH "THE RIGHT CLICK SYNDROME".

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ALERT! HOW TO AVOID BECOMING INFECTED WITH "THE RIGHT CLICK SYNDROME".

WHAT' IS "THE RIGHT CLICK SYNDROME"?

Is it contagious?
How do I know if I have been infected?
How do others know if I'm infected?
How long does it last?
What can I do to recover?
Are there any lasting effects?
Will others know I'm infected?

WHAT IS "THE RIGHT CLICK SYNDROME"? The right click syndrome is a chronic condition that compels ActiveRain members so infected to engage in serial copyright infringement.

Is it contagious? No! Members with common sense and a respect for the property rights of others have a natural resistance to the compulsion to right click on images and text content originated by another person.

How do I know if I have been infected? You know.

How do others know if I'm infected? Many members have taken precautions and engage only in "safe blogging" using only text content written by themselves, images created by themselves or images purchased from copyright owners or authorized vendors with careful practices of only using property attributed or licensed images or articles. Searching on Computer

Are there any visible symptoms of the infection? Google knows and Google tells anyone who takes the time to research the symptoms of your condition by image and content searches by titles, keywords, descriptions or copyright owners' signatures. Most members infected with "the right click syndrome" have no knowledge of how easy their condition can be observed.

How long does it last? Sadly, "the right click syndrome" will linger in the infected member's mind until they have either been caught, identified, exposed and developed either a respect for the property rights of others or developed the fear of exposure. Like many conditions, indulgence in these risky behaviors may lead to habitual manifestations of the symptom of "serial plagiarizer".

What can I do to recover? Avoid direct contact with sources of copyright protected material and resist inserting any text content or image in your blog post that you did not originate or purchase for republishing on a commercial web site.

Are there any lasting effects? Unknown. Most who have recovered have been identified and paid damages to the originator of the content used. Many formerly infected posters suffer from repeated "twinges" when writing posts that they believe would benefit from a "little image", but have none of their own, are not willing to pay for a license or "don't believe that their condition will be recognized" by other members.

Will others know I'm infected? Quite likely. The condition is visible and identifiable by persons with experience in Google search for the manifestation of the condition.

BE CAREFUL. BE SAFE. DON'T INDULGE IN RISKY BLOGGING.

From the U.S. Copyright Office

Is it legal to download works from peer-to-peer networks and if not, what is the penalty for doing so?
* * * * Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven by the copyright owner, that amount may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. In addition, an infringer of a work may also be liable for the attorney's fees incurred by the copyright owner to enforce his or her rights. More. . . .

What is copyright infringement?
As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner. More. . .

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988, E-mai.

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Maryland & Virginia on 04/12/2009 09:28 AM

Comments (89)

Post is included in group: The Ninety-ninth Percentile
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89 Comments on ALERT! HOW TO AVOID BECOMING INFECTED WITH "THE RIGHT CLICK SYNDROME".

APR

I do use others work sometimes as its usually good work. But never without permission. I keep a hard copy and email folder with granted permission.

Last week I turned someone in for copy-wrights to my MLS. They just shrugged there shoulders and said "oh well" we don't want to deal with it. Then why watermark the photos?

Lenn--Love your new take on a very old problem! :)

Happy Easter Lenn. Any of us who also know how to use the "view" and "source" link at the toolbar will find out about abuse. I assume the folks that do this are not aware of that....

Hello Lenn, since I constantly have a severe cramping in my right hand, due to overmousing, I have been exorated and freed from the rightclick syndrome. (I once was guilty then I found you) and now I'm careful, plus Katerina told about iclipart, it's cheap and commercial use is okeydokey! oh yeah, I also learned to take badquality digital photos. now when I seek some colorful postings I start with the NVU editior (that Paddy told us about) and soon, I have accomplished color and content. :)

Lennn, I like the way you have presented this topic.

Laura. You are doing the right thing by getting permission to republish, which is different from "reprint".

MLSs rely on volunteer compliance. They often don't have the resource to police. Folks just have to protect their own copyrights.

Teri. Thanks. It is an old, continuing problem.

Frank and Jodi. HA! Not a day goes by that I don't identify many copyright violations on AR.

Gail. I have the same right hand affliction. However, it's primarily used for the left-click mouse button.

I have a number of some of the ugliest web sites on the Internet with some of the worse photos ever published, but they are all mine, mine, mine.

Maria. Thanks. I figured that if folks know that we know, they may be deterred from continuing their thievin' ways.

Lenn, Happens all the time. What really surprises me is when I see a Featured Post with copyrighted material. With all the discussion about this subject, and the potential liability, I don't understand how they get past the supposed Active Rain filters. Rich

I have gotten so sick of people copying and pasting my work. At some point I am going to stop being Mr. Nice guy and just send a demand letter like you do. The latest copyright infringement was done by one of the most well know Real Estate blogs online. I am still amazed.

Richard. Indeed. Members using illegal content, images or text, apparently don't know that their content can be tracked.

I track images all the time, a skill I learned to police my own images. When I trace an image to the content source and see that their images are not available for commercial use, we know. Whan I see that their images are available for license, but the blogger has no license, we know.

The infringers apparently just don't know that we know.

Bill. It gets pretty disgusting, doesn't it?

Lenn..a good reminder for all active rainers. Congrats on the feature. Easter blessings to you and your family.

LOL @ Gail Tassey. Gail you are so cute!

Lenn, This was a very creative and inoffensive way to remind us all about this serious problem. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.

Rebecca. Thanks. Sadly, we must keep reminding.

Shirley. Indeed, Gail has a wonderful sense of humor. I love that.

Lenn,

So True. Excellent way to address this problem

Janeen

Awwww shucks, to quote you, and thanks Shirley and Lenn both for keeping me laughing.

Thanks for the chuckle AND the reminder to all those stricken with the "syndrome." :-)

Janeen. I've tried about 25 different ways. Even collected damages from 3 members who stole and used my maps. There just doesn't appear to be any stopping it. So, I just collect damages from folks who use my content.

Gail. Keep laughing.

It doesn't seem like a hard concept. If you want to use someone else's work, just ask and get their permission to do so first. Then make sure you give them credit for it. The end.

David. Right you are. It's a simple concept which is why I don't buy the presumption by many that the content thieves don't understand.

Persons asking permission need to also make sure that they have the right to republish and not just reprint.

I give permission to reprint my images regularly, but not to republish.

Kerry. I've tried everything else. Perhaps the thought of being "infected" will get the message across.

Lenn, great post. I always enjoy reading your blog. I confess, I right clicked this morning, but, it was my own material I was copying and pasting or shall I say recycling as new.

Lenn - my right clicking is now limited to quoting articles, which I attribute source on. Perhaps someday you can do as good a post on the differences between replishing and reprinting.

Love your style, Lenn. :o) I actually found a fellow AR member that went to my website and copied quite a bit of my copy into their profile page. Amazes me. They are in a different market, so all they really had to do was ask me and I would have said yes.

Happy Easter Lenn! I like the new spin on this old topic! It amazes and saddens me that you have to write about this subject, yet again! Unfortunately it is necessary! Thanks for the reminder that "right clicking" is just plain wrong!

What a great new take on an old, old, very old problem! Regarding the agents engaged in this "syndrome" it makes you wonder about their ethics when working with clients/customers and fellow agents or anyone else!

You would think some hefty law suits with heavy damages would cure a lot of these folks -- especially in today's economy. In this day and age it's hard to believe that anyone who uses a computer isn't aware of "copyright" -- especially business folks.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Happy Easter

Hi Lenn,

Great sense of humor, although this topic is far from being funny. Presenting it in a light way hopefully will get to some of the offenders.

Happy Easter.

What a clever way to remind people not to "borrow" (steal).

Nancy. Worth a try. Nothing else has worked.

Marzene. We'll see. Perhaps if they know that some of us know, they'll . . . . . .

Sue. I've publicized the damages I've collected to date from copyright violators, about $200K. It's hasn't stopped them yet.

Terrie. Thanks. The message I wanted to get out today is that "we know who you are". ActiveRain is very tolerant and apparently doesn't want to confront high ranking members. Sooner or later. . . . .

Kristina. I get mail or phone calls from members every week about someone using their content without permission to republish. Sometimes the perps have copied massive amounts of copyright protected content.

When I read the title of your blog, it immediately made me think of ZUMA, where I am extremely guilty of right-click-syndrome and constantly switch back and forth between the colored balls before shooting.

June. HA! That's called syndicating.

Mike. I have published one. See: http://activerain.com/blogsview/126067/YOU-CANNOT-REPRINT-ON

Took me a second to figure out what the right click thing was. It is so easy - if you didn't create it, don't use unless you have documented permission.

Elizabeth. Shooting what?? Or, whom??? I am immediately in the mind of shooting a bird or clay pigeon, for which I just yesterday purchased a lovely new Baretta shot gun.

Gary. Simple?? Indeed, which is why I want folks who have this infection to know that we know who they are.

Great post. Thanks for the wonderful writeup.

It blows my mind that this is a problem, is it really that hard to write some original content. I guess to some people it is!

Lenn- it's simply amazing how much copyright infringement goes on... sign of the times, I guess... trying to get something, without paying the price... thank you for being so relentless on this issue!

Lenn, I know it 's not a laughing matter but I couldn't help but chuckle at your delivery. I'm too chicken to steal anyone else's material LOL

It doesn't take alot to write your own material.. I'm not fluent or great at writing but I write

Barb. HA! Whatever it takes. I'm sure you wouldn't anyway.

JB. Thanks. Many do not appreciate my efforts, but one of these days, the perps will be surprised when they are outed. AR doesn't do that yet and I don't either because of the guidelines.

Walter. No, it is not. It is not.

Alice and Jim. My pleasure.

I love how you wrote this post...

Lenn -

Happy Easter!

As usual, you are right as rain.

Why do some folks copy and paste their posts, without thought - many simple to accumulate AR points?

This makes us Hard Writing, original-thinking bloggers feel very bad, and even violated!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Lenn - thanks for the link, I have bookmarked it to read later.

Dean. Violated is just what happens when a member posts content that doesn't belong to them. It violates the owner of the content and all members who work hard to have a successful blog.

Tina. Thanks and thanks for commenting.

Russ. You describe all of us. None of this is easy. But, we work. We don't steal.

One could certainly tell I am not infected with that malady, LOL. Just read my content! I am just starting to use my voice, new to blogging, perhaps later I will have blogs that are great, I will build up to it. Don't want to start out the best then have nothing to reach for! I sometimes am frustrated with the lack of clip art I have at my disposal, I used to make clip art for myself, but now don't have the time. So, anyone that comes to my blog suffers through screen beans, cows, barns, sunrises and sunsets.

Ah well, I would rather be me than be sued!

Great post Lenn, as usual.

Lenn-I was up for sunrise this morning and then did a little peek through AR. Found a stolen map (not yours or mine) a few copied MLS photos and some other odds and ends. Those who violate copyright are not likely to care when called to task and only a significant dollar penality is ever going to deter them from the right click infection.

Lenn, I know you claim not to be an expert. But I have learned a lot about copyright from reading your posts. I think it's great you are willing to educate.

Andrea. Funny. I have some of the ugliest web sites on the Internet with some of the oldest photos and poor images. But, they are mine and I wrote every word and created every image.

Cindy. Ah, but, that is precisely what I have done, do now and will do in the future. BTW, if it was a local map, it could be one of my old ones before I developed the format. Send me the URL and I'll take a look. Or not.

Mark. Now, some, perhaps many would take my copyright posts as a warning. Although, I keep checking and the same members that were stealing content 3 month ago still are. So, I guess they just don't know they've been discovered. I'm waiting for the day when one of the cartoonist/artist lays a $30,000 damage claim on them.

Cool...and some say there's no money in blogging. Hope I find a plagerizer soon! :)

Sky. Of course, I pay my attorney on an hourly basis, every single month. That's what stops more folks who have been victims from going after the content thieves. Attorney fees are a lot of money and mine doesn't work on contengency.

But, he's goooooooood!!

Until someone cracks down this will continue. Well I don't think anyone will steal my blogs, but stealing listings as if it were there own is beyond out of control. Why? There is no one policing it. Everyone of my listings are being stolen. Everyone. I Google my listings from time to time and they are everywhere. It is so bad that I don't have the time to fight it anymore. AR needs to put their foot down on this if this is going to be controlled. I still don't understand why they want points over transactions. I guess AR pays a commission to the person with the most points.

Cheers........

I use www.picapp.com which is a free blogging photo service and www.123rf.com for cheap copyright pics. I never mind attributing words to authors especially if it is someone of weight like Thomas Friedman. Reading Rain blogs does give me inspiration, but only as it relates to me or my market. I do need help on one thing, I drive with two feet. I think I need a 12 step program.

Good informative post. I thought everyone learned in grade school not to plagerize. Evidently, they forgot. I enjoy reading your blog very much. Great information.

Another great post on the dangers of copyright infringement. I love the way you wrote it...

Lenn, if I ever feel the impulse to right click, the image of you with your Baretta shot gun will deter me. :)

Tim. I can tell you that there is no commission for the most points. BTW, how can one "steal a listing". I have an IDX site and it contains all active listings.

Joe. No problem using a short "snippet" and linking to Thomas Friedman. I read him too.

Georgia. I learned it in 7th grade in my first class in government.

Christianne. Thanks. Think it will help?

Virginia. That's the funniest thing I've read today. Shucks, I only shoot clay pigeons.

Hi Lenn--I write totally original stuff and no one EVER comments. I am puring out my heart and soul on matters which I think are relevant and no one cares. I am an Aries, which means I will spend my life butting my head against the wall. In truth, that is the only reason I keep writing posts. I am 66 years old, Harvard educated, and no one seems to care about what I say. You, on the other hand, have more comments than you can address. My hat is off to you: I need to improve

More good information to keep front and center Lenn. I have not yet had a problem with anyone wanting to copy what I write, maybe someday. Thanks for your post.

Elliot. You'll get the hang of it. You just started. A Harvard gentleman should be able to do this.

Craig. I'm not at all concerned about what I write. But, I protect my copyright protected images all the way to the courthouse.

Lenn First Happy Easter, second what a great way to spin this subject!

Jeannette. Thanks. Think I got through to a few serial copyright violators????

Thank you for bringing this disease to our attention. I enjoyed how you eloquently explained this poor afliction that affects too many people. Let's hope some people have discovered the cure for this syndrome.

I too have caught people "borrowing" my copyrighted photos. I learned what to do from your other copyright posts here on AR - thank you for the education! It amazes me that people indulge in this kind of behavior thinking they will not get caught.

Cris. Thinking they won't get caught is the only explanation for such risky behavior.

Thanks for the blog today with the "right click" information.

Portsmouth NH Real Estate

Lenn, I have never had "right click syndrom". I did have Google Image Fever at one time but after cutting a check for $1,000 to the owner of the image I was cured!!!

Bryant. That may have saved you some money. That's a pretty still price to pay for one photo. Hope some of the folks on ActiveRain who are serial offenders read this.

Patricia. My pleasure.

Lenn...

Will they ever learn? Not without paying hefty damages, I'm afraid!

Lenn:

Good for you Lenn - you need to keep it up...

Great way to post a warning about copying someone's work.

Lenn, you wrote a very creative blog. You mention tracking copyrighted photos and contents, etc. I'm just wondering how you can do that. Perhaps another blog topic for you?

Another good reminder.

Nice job Lenn. Funny I have never even been tempted to plagarize . . maybe becasue my own stuff works fine. The only content that is worth taking is yours and wll my dear the idea of getting on your bad side scares the crap out of me. LOL Happy Easter

copyrighting is serious business and hopefully there isn't any of that with our active rain peers. Thanks for the post!

Lenn: Your maps are fabulous, it is easy to see why others would want them. Maybe you can find a way to keep people from stealing them.

Lenn,

This is so true, "Google knows and Google tells anyone who takes the time to research the symptoms of your condition by image and content searches by titles, keywords, descriptions or copyright owners' signatures. Most members infected with "the right click syndrome" have no knowledge of how easy their condition can be observed."

The internet can be a very small place if you know what you are doing. :)

Lenn, thanks, we all need this reminder. I use www.CopyScape.com and run my blogs & web sites periodically so I'll know if someone is copying my work un-authorized!

Lenn: You have brought this subject to light for many Active Rainers and I want to thank you... Before AR I never gave this much thought.. these days.... I'm all about my own photos.

I'll admit, I had no idea about copyright laws when I was a new blogger, and did my best to correct the wrongs of my newbie ways... Now I go to a website called 123RF.com and I pay per image that I use, or of course... I take my own! It's super easy and the best part is that they even have a section of free images to use and download. I've been using them for almost 2 years now and I don't have one complaint.

Another good site to use is MorgueFile.com. The images on that site are completely free and donated by Photography students showcasing their talents.

APR

Lenn...

That's why I love the internet and the fact (we are in the age we are) and that we are almost post web 2.0... transparency rules and is such a wonderful thing. When someone riddled with the 'right click' syndrome lifts copy or images created by someone else they are (or soon will be) so apparent and non-authentic. Anyone silly enough not to realize that is incredibly nieve.

As always... nice post.

Rene'

Gracious -- you said you have collected: "Sue. I've publicized the damages I've collected to date from copyright violators, about $200K. It's hasn't stopped them yet."

Knowing how to pursue the offenders as you do and collecting on the lawsuits is at least a little consolation. I assume (should never do that) the damages are treated as income? Do these law suits take into consideration the possible loose to your business going to the "perp"?

Overall by the time you pay the attorney, taxes, etc I suspect the most (rightly so) reward is the cost to the offender. I just don't get why basically intelligent and knowledgeable folks continue to do these things -- must be their upbringing which didn't teach them any better!

Regards,
Sue of Robin and Sue

Sue. Yes, the money I collect in damages is treated as income (with expenses).

The reason I do it is because I'm outraged when someone steals from me. I don't settle for little money either. This is serious business and my attorney and I agree that with the expenses of maintaining the civil actions, we make the thieves pay big money. If they don't settle quickly, the price goes up fast.

Rene. Indeed. They simply do not look outward to the possibility of being caught. It is true that some ActiveRain members have gotten by with posting both text and images that have been plagiarized, but sooner or later. . . . .

Julie. It's a good idea to learn the copyright laws. Just protect yourself.

Roland. Don't you feel good when you use your own photos to enhance your posts??? I do. In fact, my photos are often the inspriration for posts.

Regina. It's a good idea to know when someone is using your material. Don't let them.

Mark. You are so right. You'd think they would have learned by now. They figure that AR won't do anything. Sometimes they're right.

Sandy. The copyright laws of the U.S. does that. Folks steal my maps at their own risks. Locked doors don't keep intruders our of our homes or autos.

Naoma. Would that you were right. Sadly, there are serious serial copyright violators on ActiveRain. Always have been and are now.

Teresa. Come on. You know that I'm the nicest person on the face of the earth.

Your content is fabulous and reflects your personality, curiosity and artist talents. Those are attributes that content thieves never enjoy.

When I see my property on a web site belonging to someone else, I suspect that, if they would deliberately violate the copyright laws, they would also file fraudulent tax returns, use unlawful means in the practice of real estate brokerage, etc.

OK, I admit with a little embaresment, that I had to go to my mouse and see what you meant... I've always used CTRL C to copy and CTRL V to paste, so I was confused by the title, but great information, but I do have to ask... How much does it cost to have your lawyer send each letter and does he work in Oregon?

Lenn,

This is a great post. Thanks for putting a new spin on an old subject. It's great to get an enlightening rendition! happy selling this week.

Hi Lenn: I think I have the terminal version of the disease - LOL

Todd. Next time I'll write about the CTRL C Syndrome.

Dorie. Thanks. Just getting the word out.

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