Having some fun with copyright theft

So, last night I decided to try something a bit different and have a
little fun.

I found a link in my webstats program that came from
http://www.allempires.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=24898&KW=spokane&PN=2

I'm not sure if that URL will successfully reach your browser header,
but lets give it a try. At any rate, I find an image of mine used by
someone without permission. What to do, since this is the zillionth
time it has happened to me.

I wanted to try something different, so I find that the image is
actually linked directly to my website image file name. I opened up
my photo editor and created a second copy of the image that was taken,
and changed the file name for it. I opened up my html editor and
inserted the new image, so everything is as it was originally. Now I
brought up the taken image and added Image stolen from just above the
copyright details added.

Today I am getting slammed in terms of site visitors, from the people
who found my stolen image. The site traffic has been great, and I
even got some emails from the site visitors, kinda laughing about this
guy taking my image and not knowing it says stolen from on it.

Anyhow, today should be interesting and my site can handle the
additional traffic okay. I'm not sure I will do this technique very
often, but for once I can smile as my stolen image keeps appearing on
this website each day. With or without the knowledge of the image
thief, I had a little bit of fun doing this.


Based on the pure numbers of people who arbitrarily steal images from me, I am almost overjoyed when I speak with people who wish to legally use the images. It is an absolute pleasure to speak with ethical people, whether it is for a commercial sale or a non-profit or 4th grade teacher asking to use an image for a classroom project.

So, for all of you ethical folks, feel free to keep the emails and phone calls coming. For those of you who manage a website with your images, just remember, the unethical folks out there will be taking your work, so stay active in your discovery methods.

John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
photos@spokanenightscenes.com