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Pinterest Copyright Issues: The Wall Street Journal

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Industry Observer with Retired

Pinterest Copyright Issues:  The Wall Street Journal

Many us us that use Pinterest are concerned with the potential copyright issues that are involved when we pin images to the website.  Pinterest, which was founded in 2009, is experiencing very rapid growth with over 17 million unique users during February.
 
An article by Therese Poletti, in the Technology section of The Wall Street Journal discusses the issue.  Is Pinterest the Next Napster?  Included is an article by Steve Eder:  Avoiding Pinning Pitfalls:  Lawyers Suggest These Guidelines for Users
 
Some of us recall that a court shut down Napster, the music sharing website, due to copyright issues. With Pinterest, professional photographers are among the leaders of those that are expressing copyright concerns.  Some photographers rely on the income generated from the reproduction of their images.
 
Copyright lawyers are advising Pinterest users to pin content that they own and avoid pinning content owned by others. Pinterest users should carefully read the terms and conditions because they indemnify the company for damages that might arise from the users pins.
 
Please share the steps that you are taking to avoid copyright issues on Pinterest. 
 
As we enjoy the spring weather, it is a good time to take photographs that we can share on Pinterest.
 
Crocuses, Kentlands Spring Flowers IMG_4745
Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 
Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments (12)
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Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Roy, thanks for the news of pinterest copyright and the beautiful flower - lavender color of the season. 

Mar 14, 2012 01:21 AM
Emily Medvec
eXp Realty LLC - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM
Roy, copyright is an issue not only for pinterest but here on activerain as well. Thanks for the update. There is no excuse for stealing content. iMO it is all about use or lose your imagination!
Mar 14, 2012 01:24 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL
Good info, Roy. I haven't gotten into Pininterest. I i usually wait till the bugs are worked out. ;)
Mar 14, 2012 01:38 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Great information Roy and I've been following your posts on Pinterest to keep updated and not get myself into trouble as I suspect some people will. When I first joined I was addicted. Then I grew kind of bored. I'm going to stick to my own pins going forward like you do! You've got some gorgeous photos that I've repinned!

Mar 14, 2012 01:40 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good afternoon to all. I appreciate your comments and your thoughts on Pinterest.

I would advise all real estate professionals to create a presence on Pinterest, complete with your profile information.  It is easy to create a community boards and to post your own photographs.

It is a great time to post pictures of the spring flowers in your neighborhood.  I just posted this photograph on my Kentlands board on Pinterest.  When I use photographs in my blogs, I usually post them on Pinterest as well.

Daffodils, Kentlands Spring Flowers IMG_4752

Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Mar 14, 2012 02:34 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Roy,

Good advice for Pinterest users. I do not have the time right now to investigate another social media avenue. Maybe in 2-3 months I can spend some time. I doubt if anyone whould steal my pictures. 

Mar 14, 2012 03:04 AM
Jennifer Chiongbian
Specializing in all types of Manhattan apts & townhouses - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Broker - NYC

It will be intersting to see how Pinterest grows into it own and all this copyright infringement warnings...I try as much as possible to use my own photographs, but it's not always possible when you see something that expresses your thoughts in a photo you see.

Mar 14, 2012 03:49 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Roy - I haven't been down the Pininterest road and guess I'll stay clear.  I sure don't need any unnecessary problems

Mar 14, 2012 07:25 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for your comments.  You should have a presence on Pinterest, with your profile information.  Use you own photographs for the boards you create for each community in your market.

Crocuses, Kentlands Spring Flowers IMG_4755

Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Mar 14, 2012 07:35 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Roy, This is a very interesting topic and I have a read some about this on the Flipbook app on the iPad. I have never added anything to my account and not sure I will be anytime soon. Still trying to see the benefit and I am not there as yet.
Mar 14, 2012 01:23 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Hi Roy,

It's so confusing.  It's hard to understand the difference between sharing on FB and pinning on Pinterest.  Thanks so much for sharing - it's good to be informed!

Mar 14, 2012 05:19 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good morning.  Thanks so much for your comments.  All of us need to be aware of copyright guidelines and should avoid using material that belong to others unless we have obtained permission.

 

Daffodil, Kentlands Spring Flowers IMG_4766

Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Mar 15, 2012 01:55 AM
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