DANGER, WILL ROBINSON * DANGER, WILL ROBINSON * DANGER, WILL ROBINSON
WILL FOLKS, PLEASE, PLEASE, GET THE MESSAGE - JUST BECAUSE YOU SEE SOMETHING ON YAHOO, GOOGLE OR ANY OTHER PLACE ON THE INTERNET, DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU CAN JUST TAKE IT AND USE IT. IF YOU DIDN'T CREATE IT, MAKE IT, WRITE IT, OR BUY IT, YOU CAN'T USE IT. IT ISN'T YOURS TO COPY AND USE.
Now, I'm trying to introduce a bit of humor into this matter. Perhaps if only to get Active Rainer's attention. But, this is a VERY serious matter. You do not have the right to use images that you do not own. ESPECIALLY MY MAPS.
Where do people get these maps??? One likely place is the "IMAGES" feature on Google, Yahoo, Searchmash, etc. However, just because you can FIND an image there doesn't give you the right to USE an image that you find there.
Unless a web page has clear instructions 'YOU MAY USE THESE IMAGES", you may NOT use those images. Permission to use copyrighted images must be granted or conveyed. It may NOT be assumed or taken for granted.
TAKING IMAGES FROM YAHOO OR GOOGLE OR OTHER SITES ON THE INTERNET MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS TO YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH. In the case of my maps, it will be VERY dangerous to your financial health.
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- Name:
- Map Prince George's County-l.gif
- Details:
- 377 x 500 pixels - 38.6kB - GIF
This image may be subject to copyright.
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The map seen above is one of my copyrighted map images. The person who used that map in their article took it, I believe, from Yahoo. The Yahoo page CLEARLY says "This image may be subject to copyright."
HOW CLEAR CAN A WARNING BE??? In fact, the image on the agent's article still links back to my web page, which is how the Google and Yahoo image features work. THE IMAGE HAS MY NAME ON IT.
I have written a nice note to the agent that wrote the article that they should remove the map image quickly. Let's hope they do so, quickly.
In case someone is wondering why I get so exercised over the use of "just one of my maps" (a comment I have read), it is because I created these maps to appeal to consumers of real estate services for my brokerage. By using my maps on their web page, that agent has gained a competitive advantage through the use of real estate promotional material designed and distributed for the benefit of MY brokerage, NOT theirs.
Would they expect me to pay for a magazine ad that they use to promote a listing? Of course not. Would they expect me to pay for the yard signs that they use to advertise their listings?? Of course not. However, they are using my resources to promote their real estate services on the Internet. That is why I pursue these copyright infringement cases and am relentless in collecting damages. I will not permit my competitors to expect me to subsidize their business.
RAINERS - - PLEASE DO NOT USE IMAGES, PHOTOS, MAPS, ANYTHING FROM A WEB SITE THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU. Protect your financial health and become educated about copyright and plagiarism.
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com
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