Teach Soap

Since Hestey got to have a youtube mini rant, I get to have a copyright mini rant.

My 10 yr old daughter was looking on Etsy for something the other day and came across a lot of Hello Kitty soaps and Disney soaps. She looked at me and said, "Wow, violate copyright laws much." Holy cow there are a lot of Etsy sellers who are selling things like this.

I was so impressed with my daughter's knowledge that I mentioned it to someone I know that makes candles and tarts. They did not even know that molds were copyrighted and has been selling Sesame Street tarts. Of course they wanted to argue about it, saying that they bought the mold so they could do whatever they wanted with it. Umm...no. Well after convincing her that she was wrong. She said, "Well they're my best seller, so I'm not taking them down. Besides I think that Sesame Street is too busy to come after a crafter."
I didn't tell her that actually, companies like Sesame Street, Disney, etc. have people that specifically search for businesses violating their copyright, because it was obvious that she just didn't care.

I just don't get it. Why do crafters risk it?

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Genny

I've seen it as well, lots of places. I have also noticed a lot of people using other people's soap photos as their own lately! Someone jacked my whipped neoplolitan soap bar as one of their "new product" her and I got into it,she photoshopped my link out that I post on every photo facebook photos! She ended up taking it down, but we fought about it for a few hours! I know it's competitive but make your own, then post photos instead of hi jacking others!

Ooh, that is so not cool Heather. I honestly don't understand the point of taking someone else's photo at all. That recently happened over at craft cafe. One member was using another member's photo from her Etsy shop or FB page. But Craft Cafe took the pics down right away.

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Genny

I was so ticked off! I'm somewhat new to all this soapmaking and it was a lady who had been doing it for years and years! Flattered she wanted to imitate my item but don't ever use my photos. I work hard to do this! A Friend had the same thing happen to her as well! So frustrating!

I'll admit I ordered some hello kitty molds, but for personal use only. I can't imagine what you'd have to pay the company to be allowed to legally sell them. Yikes!

I had pictures of my dog stolen by a company and used for all kinds of things (watch faces to mugs, t-shirts, towels. Everything!!) I emailed them and they said I had no proof of ownership of the photos so I told them owning the dog with such distinct features was proof, plus the pictures had a watermark, which they had photoshopped out! I was soooo angry!! The changed them to another picture they had stolen from the same border collie website, that owner ended up suing them! If they'd have asked I would have let them use her picture, but they didn't ask. I hate people who steal others' work and try to market it as their own!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Some people on etsy have no clue! I sent a nice polite email to a soapmaker once that was making outrageous medical claims. She sent me a nasty email back and nothing changed. Some people's minds are like a parachute. They fail to open.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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Genny

heheh you guys are funny! Seriously though, not having anything to do with soap, some friends of mine are in this pretty successful local band here in Portland. They USED to call them selves Foghorn Leghorn. Well, (quite due to their increasing popularity, they had that name for a couple of years) Werner Brothers caught wind of it and served them with a cease and desist order. "Change the name of your band or prepare to pay us royalties for the rest of your natural born career for anything you produce in that name because we own the copy-rite to the term." (I say, I say) Pretty scary. Needless to say, they changed their name to Foghorn Stringband. Who would risk not being able to make money off their hard work and creativity all because they "think" they are not being watched.

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

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now know as Gwenann's Sudz...

I myself have tons of other people soap picture... I keep them for idea and inspiration but I would never post them as my own ...unless they are my own. wonders if copywrites only apply to people who want to make money.

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now know as Gwenann's Sudz...

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~*~ Jennifer ~*~

Some craft items come within what is termed I believe the "angel law". This means that if you purchase the item to craft with you may sell, usually stated as how much or unlimited, what you make with it. I believe my sizzix has that in their policy. But it is not just a general rule, you would have to check with each company as to their policy. So some soap mold makers have paid a price to the parent company to be able to sell a mold in that shape/character. If I was going to sell one I would surly check it out first.

Genny, I am amazed at your dtrs awarness. Maybe she has a potential for a career in copyright law!

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

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**ERIN**

**I've taken up photography because it's the only hobby I can shoot people and cut their heads off without going to jail**