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03-23-2007, 07:45 AM
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#1
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,060
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Using SU! images in watermark?
I've noticed what appear to be SU! images in some stamper's watermarks. Now I found this a little ironic. It looks to me like in an attempt to keep people from stealing their work, they are stealing SU!'s work. Do I understand the issues here? Is it okay to use copyrighted images in a personal watermark? Are you all sick of the whole watermark discussion? Are you annoyed that I brought it up again? 
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03-23-2007, 08:07 AM
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#2
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Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni VSN Go to Girl Pretty, Pretty Princess
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Suffolk, VA
Posts: 23,958
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Quote: Originally Posted by stargirl I've noticed what appear to be SU! images in some stamper's watermarks. Now I found this a little ironic. It looks to me like in an attempt to keep people from stealing their work, they are stealing SU!'s work. Do I understand the issues here? Is it okay to use copyrighted images in a personal watermark? Are you all sick of the whole watermark discussion? Are you annoyed that I brought it up again? |
I don't have an answer but you made me laugh, thanks!

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03-23-2007, 09:20 AM
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#3
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Die Cut Diva
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,802
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Quote: Originally Posted by stargirl I've noticed what appear to be SU! images in some stamper's watermarks. Now I found this a little ironic. It looks to me like in an attempt to keep people from stealing their work, they are stealing SU!'s work. Do I understand the issues here? Is it okay to use copyrighted images in a personal watermark? Are you all sick of the whole watermark discussion? Are you annoyed that I brought it up again?  |
I haven't seen it, but I think it's both ironic and comical! 
__________________
my PunchPal Too | my SU! Inventory File | my Tickets Too: shown on my website
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03-23-2007, 03:03 PM
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#4
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
Posts: 1,309
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Oooh....now I wanna see an "example"! PM me! PM me! 
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03-23-2007, 03:18 PM
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#5
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Dirty Dozen Alumni
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,465
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Are they exact or a variation, I guess is where the fine line is. If they are exact, then that would be a problem. If they are similar, then it's probably problem free. After all there are similar images in most of the other stamping catalogs, too.
It all comes down to the reason for the watermarks to begin with, I think. If there wasn't a lifting problem, it wouldn't be prime for such discussion, ykwim?
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03-23-2007, 04:01 PM
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#6
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,060
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Valerie, I can't be 100% certain, and I did not write down who it was because I specifically did not want to remember! Now when someone asks me who, I can honestly say, "I don't know!" However, I've been a SU! demo for seven years, and I'm fairly certain it's an exact image.
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03-23-2007, 05:28 PM
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#7
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Stampin' Fool
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 2,850
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I think I know which watermark stargirl is referencing - and it's exact. It's lovely, but an exact copy. I TOTALLY understand the reason for having watermarks (isn't it unfortunate that folks have to use them in the first place?), but we all do need to make sure we don't copy SU images or each other's designs for our watermarks. Some of our more creative counterparts have made their watermarks as lovely as their cards!
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03-23-2007, 05:30 PM
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#8
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Kookie Creator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Gurnee, Il
Posts: 1,050
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I noticed a watermark that looked like a Mike's stamp but have not seen any SU images. But I agree....doesn't seem right either way.
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03-23-2007, 05:56 PM
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#9
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Dirty Dozen Alumni
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,465
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Very interesting, and why one would subject themselves to a violation like that and want to go up against SU! compliance is beyond me.
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03-23-2007, 06:00 PM
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#10
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,060
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I'm pretty much assuming that they simply didn't think it through, or just don't know it's a violation. I mean really, if they knew, would they have it out there for God and everyone to see?
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03-23-2007, 08:30 PM
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#11
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Dirty Dozen Alumni Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Creative Crew Alumni
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Poofville
Posts: 53,536
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Probably a matter of not thinking it through. I think if I saw it a polite PM may be a good thing.....
__________________ Jeanne S - Inky Paws
SCS Moderator
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03-23-2007, 08:48 PM
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#12
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 683
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I think I know which card you're talking about, and if it is the same one, then while it looks identical, it is still *slightly* different. Which of course is not to say that she didn't just copy the image anyway and just alter it a little. But it's almost a dead-on copy. You have yo look reeeeeally carefully to see the differences! Maybe since she altered it a little, she felt like it was OK? I don't know. But I do think that it's wrong, regardless. A *gorgeous* watermark! But still wrong. 
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03-24-2007, 01:12 AM
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#13
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: incirlik, turkey
Posts: 856
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okay, i'm a little dense; what's a watermark? and how does it infringe on the copyright? sorry if i'm a little slow here...
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
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03-24-2007, 06:39 AM
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#14
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
Posts: 1,309
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Okay....so this got me to thinking since I use an image in my watermark. I use a flower image that looks like a flower from SU!'s hostess set, Island Blossoms. SU!'s is a 5 point flower, mine is a 6 point. Mine is actually a flower from a font set called, "saru's Flower Ding". So maybe someone got a dingbat font that has an image in it similar to a SU! one and doesn't know that's what it is.
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03-24-2007, 07:06 AM
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#15
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Midlothian, TX
Posts: 15,987
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Yep, mine's a dingbat too. I didn't even think about if it looks like SU, but I'm confident that it doesn't...I think...
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03-24-2007, 08:15 AM
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#16
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Gallery Gazer
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: officially single again and BACK in PA!!!
Posts: 7,741
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The watermark they are talking about (I think  ) is a very large image from the SU Spring mini. It's definitely NOT a dingbat 
__________________ ~@~Laura~@~
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03-24-2007, 08:19 AM
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#17
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Stampin' Fool
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,425
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Maybe I am dense (and I make watermarks!), but how would they even get the SU image into a watermark? I would definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they're using an image that's very similar. I've had customers ask for a watermark with an image that is "similar" to such and such stamp from SU or wherever... but all I do is search for a free dingbat font that is sorta, kinda like the SU stamp. There's nothing wrong with that! 
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03-24-2007, 08:46 AM
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#18
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
Posts: 1,309
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You could scan an image out of a catalog if you really wanted to. I'm pretty decent with my photo software and could do some really damaging things should I let my evil side out!
It's KILLING me, because now I really want to see the image. ANOTHER thing that can be done, when you're looking @ an image on your computer screen and you know how you can "right click" and save the image? Well....most places are using the "right click disable" javascript, so they "think" it protects their images. But there is a feature on every computer that has been there FOREVER that most people think actually MEANS "print screen", but it really doesn't. It actually just copies the entire screen you're currently looking @ to the clipboard to be pasted into any other document that you want. So say the person that's using the image from the Spring Mini....they may have just hit "print screen" when they were looking @ the catty online and then they manipulated it into their watermark. KWIM?
Now I'm wondering if this post is gonna get yanked because I've turned it into a "tutorial" on "how to do the naughty things". I'm not trying to "teach" how to mishandle copyrighted images, I'm just reinforcing the idea that you really DO need to use a watermark on your images because just disabling that right-click feature isn't really protecting them like you think it is!
I used the "print screen" feature when my parents were on a cruise through the Panama Canal. There is a camera there that captures every 8 seconds or something all day long, and so when they were going through the Canal I was taking "screen shots" (that's a term you'll see all the time, and now you'll know how to make your own!) of them waving to me from the deck of the ship and then I had them all printed out in order for my Mom's scrapbook so they could see themselves looking @ me, looking @ them going through the Canal! Cool, 'eh?
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03-24-2007, 09:07 AM
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#19
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bristol, VA
Posts: 3,081
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This seems to be turning into a "WatermarkGate" scenario. There is so much clip art out there that looks like so many other images. Even if these images look identical, it is quite possible they are from another source than SU, and most likely are IMO.
Any letter in a font, dingbat, wingding, etc. can be resized and manipulated into many alternate variations. Innocent until proven guilty in my book, and the evidence isn't really compelling. Line drawings of flowers especially are everywhere.
I just got some new Paper Salon stamps today (in a very cool tin) that look so much like some of my SU whimsical flowers. I say "coincidents happen!"
__________________ ~Catherine~
My Learning Curve
“Any time we can’t solve it, we have to manage it, until we can start to solve it again.” ~Tony Blair
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03-24-2007, 09:11 AM
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#20
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Die Cut Diva
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,451
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Not to be snarky, but there are so many things in this world that are really serious that need our energy. I just cannot imagine having time to police people over such things. I doubt SU has the inclination to make an issue of something that only serves to make their images more popular.
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03-24-2007, 09:22 AM
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#21
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 683
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Quote: Originally Posted by laurakj The watermark they are talking about (I think  ) is a very large image from the SU Spring mini. It's definitely NOT a dingbat  |
We are thinking of the same one then.
Not a dingbat... definitely a copy of an SU image. Most likely scanned and then tweaked with a photo editing program. Though it's not quite exact... it's been ever so slightly altered (dimensions are slightly skewed, some details removed). So again,... I wonder if because the person did that, that they think it's now OK? 
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03-24-2007, 09:30 AM
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#22
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Kookie Creator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Gurnee, Il
Posts: 1,050
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Quote: Originally Posted by housefan Not to be snarky, but there are so many things in this world that are really serious that need our energy. I just cannot imagine having time to police people over such things. I doubt SU has the inclination to make an issue of something that only serves to make their images more popular. |
Actually, SU does have the time and resources to police watermarks. Have you seen the lawsuit about the copyright infringement on the paper napkins using their images illegally? Yes, they are pursuing it even though it does give them publicity for their stamps...it's still illegal.
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03-24-2007, 09:33 AM
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#23
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Kookie Creator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Gurnee, Il
Posts: 1,050
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Quote: Originally Posted by housefan Not to be snarky, but there are so many things in this world that are really serious that need our energy. |
Yes, I agree that there are other important things in this world to spend our energy on but this is a stamping discussion board and I think it was an observation with a legit question about copyrighting. So that's what we get to expend our energy on here at SCS...atmping stuff. Now off to do more important things in my other life...laundry!
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03-24-2007, 10:24 AM
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#24
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CBC Lady Violet
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Waiting for the mojo fairy.....
Posts: 57,135
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I'm curious - You can order those personalized SU! angel policy stamps from the catalogue. If you used that as a watermark, is that a violation?
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03-24-2007, 03:06 PM
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#25
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bristol, VA
Posts: 3,081
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Quote: Originally Posted by imchatty "I joined the Navy to see the world and right now I'd give the world to see you!" |
How romantic is that!!! Such a beautiful sentiment--I see why you have it in your siggy. Lucky girl!
__________________ ~Catherine~
My Learning Curve
“Any time we can’t solve it, we have to manage it, until we can start to solve it again.” ~Tony Blair
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03-24-2007, 03:58 PM
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#26
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denver 'burbs
Posts: 13,648
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Quote: Originally Posted by Anemone I'm curious - You can order those personalized SU! angel policy stamps from the catalogue. If you used that as a watermark, is that a violation? |
Yes it is. You cannot, per their Angle policy, mechanically or electronically reproduce their images. Period. HTH!
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03-24-2007, 05:10 PM
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#27
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Dirty Dozen Alumni
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,465
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Quote: Originally Posted by StampinMelis Yes it is. You cannot, per their Angle policy, mechanically or electronically reproduce their images. Period. HTH! |
I'll bet you're wishing for that edit button again, right?
I think you meant Angel Policy, but your quick and nimble fingers got carried away! I seem to always type angle and then have to correct it!
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03-24-2007, 05:13 PM
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#28
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Berkley, Michigan
Posts: 670
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I am not a demo, how could I find information about the Angel policy?
~sorry to get off topic.
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03-24-2007, 05:16 PM
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#29
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
Posts: 1,309
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Quote: Originally Posted by JenAndrews I am not a demo, how could I find information about the Angel policy?
~sorry to get off topic. |
http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/5293.asp
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03-24-2007, 05:17 PM
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#30
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Berkley, Michigan
Posts: 670
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Quote: Originally Posted by DisneyDoll |
Thank you. 
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03-24-2007, 05:19 PM
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#31
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denver 'burbs
Posts: 13,648
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Quote: Originally Posted by 11Valerie11 I'll bet you're wishing for that edit button again, right?
I think you meant Angel Policy, but your quick and nimble fingers got carried away! I seem to always type angle and then have to correct it! |
Bahahahahaa... I always mistype. And I never look at what I type, at least not usually. And here I am, a writing teacher.
What would an angle policy be, do you suppose?
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03-24-2007, 05:31 PM
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#32
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Rubber Obsessor
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 549
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Only right angles allowed, never wrong ones. he he
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03-24-2007, 06:34 PM
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#33
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bristol, VA
Posts: 3,081
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Quote: Originally Posted by kingmontmom Only right angles allowed, never wrong ones. he he |
LOL. A good one!
__________________ ~Catherine~
My Learning Curve
“Any time we can’t solve it, we have to manage it, until we can start to solve it again.” ~Tony Blair
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03-24-2007, 07:13 PM
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#34
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,268
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Quote: Originally Posted by housefan Not to be snarky, but there are so many things in this world that are really serious that need our energy. I just cannot imagine having time to police people over such things. I doubt SU has the inclination to make an issue of something that only serves to make their images more popular. |
Actually SU is very deligent about trying to protect it's product and it's name in situations like this. They have an entire department that handles these things.
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03-24-2007, 08:16 PM
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#35
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany
Posts: 763
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Quote: Originally Posted by lisavengesta okay, i'm a little dense; what's a watermark? and how does it infringe on the copyright? sorry if i'm a little slow here... |
Wondering the same thing...what the hey are you girls taliking about??
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03-24-2007, 08:16 PM
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#36
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany
Posts: 763
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ahem...that's talking...
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03-28-2007, 12:33 PM
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#37
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Kookie Creator
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 851
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Watermark Software
Let me say up front that I have NO experience with this software, therefore I can't make any sort of recommendation other than it looks pretty good from the limited trial version that I downloaded for free. It doesn't look like it makes a 'true' watermark to me - meaning one that is transparent. But, I think for someone who has limited computer knowledge and skills it might be worth a look. It is made specifically for watermarking, and it even has a button that lets you insert the copyright symbol.
The full version does cost $49 and from what I can tell, this isn't one of those shareware versions that you can really use for a while. I wasn't able to actually save anything I made so that it was useful because the trial version is disabled. There's just enough there to see what it WILL do. So, I guess it depends on how much it's worth it to you to protect your work.
Having said all that, check it our yourself and see what you think:
Watermark Factory
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03-28-2007, 12:39 PM
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#38
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Dirty Dozen Alumni Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Creative Crew Alumni
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Poofville
Posts: 53,536
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Most photo software lets you add text to your photos.
__________________ Jeanne S - Inky Paws
SCS Moderator
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03-29-2007, 02:42 PM
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#39
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Compulsive Stamper
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Caldwell, New Jersey
Posts: 46
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WOW!!! I had no idea *MY* watermark would be generating this much attention!! First off, I want to let you all know that Beth at http://freckledfundesigns.blogspot.com/ created the design and it is just AWESOME!! For those of you that are "curious" about what it looks like, check out my gallery. Beth does fabulous work at a fabulous price!! Second, I know for sure that it is not the *same* artwork as SU! and it was drawn by hand by Beth. Lastly, my watermark has already been APPROVED by SU! compliance. I contacted my SU! SAM, requesting that SU! compliance please review my watermark artwork, and they are in total agreement that the artwork is different enough and completely within their guidelines.
Thanks to those of you who were polite and gave me the benefit of the doubt. To those of you who were, let's just say, "a little less polite with your words", it's ok...you don't know me and I don't know you, just know that I forgive you...whether or not that matters to you, it matters to me.
Dawn Rapsas
www.inkeruptildawn.typepad.com
__________________ "InkerUpTilDawn" and you'll be amazed at what you will create!!
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03-29-2007, 03:44 PM
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#40
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,060
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Quote: Originally Posted by InkerUpTilDawn WOW!!! I had no idea *MY* watermark would be generating this much attention!! First off, I want to let you all know that Beth at http://freckledfundesigns.blogspot.com/ created the design and it is just AWESOME!! For those of you that are "curious" about what it looks like, check out my gallery. Beth does fabulous work at a fabulous price!! Second, I know for sure that it is not the *same* artwork as SU! and it was drawn by hand by Beth. Lastly, my watermark has already been APPROVED by SU! compliance. I contacted my SU! SAM, requesting that SU! compliance please review my watermark artwork, and they are in total agreement that the artwork is different enough and completely within their guidelines.
Thanks to those of you who were polite and gave me the benefit of the doubt. To those of you who were, let's just say, "a little less polite with your words", it's ok...you don't know me and I don't know you, just know that I forgive you...whether or not that matters to you, it matters to me.
Dawn Rapsas
www.inkeruptildawn.typepad.com |
I'm the OP, and your post kind of cracks me up because your watermark is not the one I was talking about.  I've never seen it or any of your work until I just clicked into your gallery. Why do you think we are discussing your watermark?  Did someone PM you? And were they rude? It certainly was not my intent for anyone to be rude or for anyone to be offended.
Wouldn't it be funny if everyone on this thread except me, the OP, was talking about something I'd never seen? Sorry. More irony......
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