Web Piracy of IBS gallery and Wiki pictures

Paul Tyerman ptyerman@ozemail.com.au
Mon, 08 Dec 2003 16:55:04 PST
Howdy All,

Dave Fenwick brought to my attention today that the website
http://www.worldbulbs.co.uk/ appears to be using pictures from the PBS wiki
without permission from the copyright holders (i.e those of us who took the
pics <grin>).  Not only are they using the pics but they are also carefully
doctoring them to remove copyright information (I put a watermark on all of
my pics as many of your would know) and I have also heard they are rotating
or reversing images to also hide the fact that they have stolen them from
elsewhere.

There has been a discussion of this happening on the IBSMEMBERS list but I
figure that many PBS members are no longer on that list.  Pictures have
been stolen and modified from the PBS Wiki, the IBS gallery plus numerous
commercial sites.  To say that what they're doing is illegal is an
understatement.

Just to reiterate the site is....

http://www.worldbulbs.co.uk/

If you find pictures that you own that have been illegally used there and
would like to complain directly then please email via their link within the
site or to...

mailto:enquiries@worldbulbs.co.uk

I for one am pretty peeved at this as I don't feel that my pictures should
be used for others commercial gain.  While I freely allow their use for the
WIKI etc I am not giving free usage of the pics for others to use as they
see fit.  There may be circumstances where I would allow my pictures to be
used privately with my permission (I have been contacted by people in the
past and have allowed usage of some pics), but not for others commercial gain.

Some of you may not be bothered by usage of your photos on this site, but I
would rather let you all know it is happening.  If you are affected and
would like to be added to the list of people who are affected then please
let me know privately so I can forward your info onto Dave who is pursuing
things from within the UK (which is SO much easier than from over here in
Australia <big grin>).  It is still worthwhile contacting the site
privately if you are unhappy about the usage of your photos.

Thanks all.  I hope no-one minds me posting this here but I think it is
important enough to let everyone know as there are a number of us who could
be affected.  I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Cheers.

Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia.  USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9
mailto:ptyerman@ozemail.com.au

Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Cyclamen, Crocus,
Cyrtanthus, Oxalis, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just about
anything else that doesn't move!!!!!


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