Adventures in Micro Manufacturing with Knife and Tool Maker Peter Atwood
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Copyrighted Images on This Blog
All images on this blog are copyrighted 2013 by Peter Atwood and may not be used without my permission. That means don't use them on Ebay or anywhere else. Thanks.
Good job peter. I've never purchased, or sold, anything of yours on eBay, but I do look every now and then and am amazed at what some of your stuff sales for on there!! I can understand someone that's fallen on hard times needing to get rid of their collection to pay the light bill, but really get pissed when I see someone 'flipping' a tool they bought 3 days ago just to make a buck. I've missed every single sale this year, but I keep coming back, several times a day, in search of the elusive Purchase link!! Keep doing what you're doing and I'm sure I'll get in on a sale one of these days!
People who sell on eBay, like many places, frequently post "stock" images from the manufacturer. This is obviously a more accepted practice when you're selling an Xbox, but I have to wonder if it's really inappropriate to post a manufacturer's image to represent a product?
Obviously it's always good to take your own, but if you don't own a good camera, it seems to me that a "stock" image from the manufacturer is the right way to give the buyer a high quality image.
You shouldn't claim it as your own, of course, and if you're selling under sketchy conditions like posting it for sale before receiving the item, that's bad... so I'm not excusing bad selling behavior. I just feel like the comment on the post might be at odds with normal behavior from someone who manufactures items for sale that, sometimes, get sold secondhand.
Peter's images belong to him. It is "inappropriate" to use them on eBay because it clearly says that they may not be used without written permission.
Whether you or anyone else considers this to be at "odds with normal behaviour" is irrelevant, using the images is not allowed without written permission.
Like many who follow this blog, it annoys me to see the Ebay sellers asking multiples of the original selling price for zero added value, but that's the free market. The least they can do is follow the rules.
"At odds w/ normal behavior" is really abnormal for most folks...thats why there are moral & ethical values, and even medication that people use to respect the issues at hand. For those whom seem dazed and confused at the reality of the wonders that a hard working man, husband & wife, brick & morter businesses strive to compete against all odds such as big one stop shopping stores and large manufacturers...a little slap accross the face to remind them who they are messing with really is not out of line. You can find notes like the one below from Peter throughout his sites (Sorry Peter - copied and pasted from AK&T only to be used again here ) "One further note: All images, names, text, descriptions and designs on this website are copyright protected and property of Peter Atwood and may not be used or reproduced without express written permission from Peter Atwood." But unfortunately whether you see it here or on the news or hear it from a friend...it is amazing & sad that people never stop finding stupid and pathetic things that they do.
I understand the claim he puts on his photos. There are actually a lot of legal opinions that using the manufacturer's photos of their product in a for sale listing is considered covered under Fair Use, so he may not be covered legally by simply stating that people aren't allowed to use them.
Regardless of the legal implications, I am not defending the actions of "flippers" who are taking advantage of short product runs. I am stating that use of manufacturer product images is a pretty reasonable, common practice that provides value to the buyer and does not infringe on Peter in any way. I am hoping that he will at least consider that his loyal, paying customers often have reason to sell his products. Stopping the use of the photos isn't going to kill the market for people flipping the products, so it's attacking the wrong issue.
Hope that clarifies my thoughts. I like Peter's products and appreciate that people don't like those that snatch them up to re-sell for a profit.
@bV How about the fact that these pieces are handmade and are/could be considered art. And since the artist is also the photographer it should allow him to put whatever restrictions he wants on his art and advertising of the art.
As far as ebay, I have never read the "Terms" but I would think selling something you do not have in hand would be a violation. Which of course is why he couldnt take his own pics.
Darn thieves!
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patty's, Peter!
hopefully this will stop flippers from posting sales in anticipation of receiving items.
ReplyDeleteWe reported him for you to Peter. We let him have it!
ReplyDeleteno purchase link here.... :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! Take your own pictures!
ReplyDeleteGood job peter. I've never purchased, or sold, anything of yours on eBay, but I do look every now and then and am amazed at what some of your stuff sales for on there!! I can understand someone that's fallen on hard times needing to get rid of their collection to pay the light bill, but really get pissed when I see someone 'flipping' a tool they bought 3 days ago just to make a buck. I've missed every single sale this year, but I keep coming back, several times a day, in search of the elusive Purchase link!! Keep doing what you're doing and I'm sure I'll get in on a sale one of these days!
ReplyDeleteIn other news, still haven't been able to snatch an Atwood in the last 5 years. Sweet!
ReplyDeletePeople who sell on eBay, like many places, frequently post "stock" images from the manufacturer. This is obviously a more accepted practice when you're selling an Xbox, but I have to wonder if it's really inappropriate to post a manufacturer's image to represent a product?
ReplyDeleteObviously it's always good to take your own, but if you don't own a good camera, it seems to me that a "stock" image from the manufacturer is the right way to give the buyer a high quality image.
You shouldn't claim it as your own, of course, and if you're selling under sketchy conditions like posting it for sale before receiving the item, that's bad... so I'm not excusing bad selling behavior. I just feel like the comment on the post might be at odds with normal behavior from someone who manufactures items for sale that, sometimes, get sold secondhand.
Peter. I am a collector of your stuff. I've never sold anything on ebay. I love your tools. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete@bV
ReplyDeletePeter's images belong to him. It is "inappropriate" to use them on eBay because it clearly says that they may not be used without written permission.
Whether you or anyone else considers this to be at "odds with normal behaviour" is irrelevant, using the images is not allowed without written permission.
Like many who follow this blog, it annoys me to see the Ebay sellers asking multiples of the original selling price for zero added value, but that's the free market. The least they can do is follow the rules.
"At odds w/ normal behavior" is really abnormal for most folks...thats why there are moral & ethical values, and even medication that people use to respect the issues at hand.
ReplyDeleteFor those whom seem dazed and confused at the reality of the wonders that a hard working man, husband & wife, brick & morter businesses strive to compete against all odds such as big one stop shopping stores and large manufacturers...a little slap accross the face to remind them who they are messing with really is not out of line.
You can find notes like the one below from Peter throughout his sites
(Sorry Peter - copied and pasted from AK&T only to be used again here )
"One further note: All images, names, text, descriptions and designs on this website are copyright protected and property of Peter Atwood and may not be used or reproduced without express written permission from Peter Atwood."
But unfortunately whether you see it here or on the news or hear it from a friend...it is amazing & sad that people never stop finding stupid and pathetic things that they do.
Y'all...(ALL of y'all!!!)...WHINE too damn much.
ReplyDeleteI understand the claim he puts on his photos. There are actually a lot of legal opinions that using the manufacturer's photos of their product in a for sale listing is considered covered under Fair Use, so he may not be covered legally by simply stating that people aren't allowed to use them.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the legal implications, I am not defending the actions of "flippers" who are taking advantage of short product runs. I am stating that use of manufacturer product images is a pretty reasonable, common practice that provides value to the buyer and does not infringe on Peter in any way. I am hoping that he will at least consider that his loyal, paying customers often have reason to sell his products. Stopping the use of the photos isn't going to kill the market for people flipping the products, so it's attacking the wrong issue.
Hope that clarifies my thoughts. I like Peter's products and appreciate that people don't like those that snatch them up to re-sell for a profit.
@bV
ReplyDeleteHow about the fact that these pieces are handmade and are/could be considered art. And since the artist is also the photographer it should allow him to put whatever restrictions he wants on his art and advertising of the art.
As far as ebay, I have never read the "Terms" but I would think selling something you do not have in hand would be a violation. Which of course is why he couldnt take his own pics.
just my 2cents
It sucks cause their is one of Peters latest tools on eBay and its not even a week. Sucks I just wanted to have one. What r u going to do.
ReplyDelete