Saturday, January 30, 2010

Sharing my COPYRIGHT NOTICE with other designers, fixing some gypsy files, and other stuff I thought about when I couldn't sleep last night

I stayed up late last night, waiting for the snow storm that was supposed to begin around midnight.  By 2:00 AM, it still hadn't started, so I finally went to bed.  As you can see, it finally did come, and it's supposed to snow all day!

While I was up, I did a lot of thinking about the situation with my files being "borrowed" by another blogger (she did apologize, and I respect her for that), about some of my gyspy files that people have had problems with (mystery solved by TheBugBytes and Makeupgirl217 - THANK YOU LADIES!), and about some of the new projects running around in my brain. 

I'm going to be working to fix my gypsy files and uploading them again, so if you have one that isn't working properly, give me a few days and try to download it again.  It will note that it's the updated version of the file.

Now, you all know about the events of the last few days, and many of you have been involved in the discussion about protecting your own designs.  I have done a lot of thinking since Wednesday about how I want to handle sharing my files now, and I have come to the conclusion that I won't let this incident stop me from creating and sharing as I always have.  I really never considered that as an option. It's a very positive thing in my life, and it gives me great joy.  You're stuck with me for a loooong time!

That doesn't mean that I'm not going to do more to protect my work.  I have taken several measures to do so in the last couple of days.  I have signed up with two services, thanks to the advice of some other very helpful and generous designers, and I recommend that any of you who share your designs do the same. If you're just getting started, do it now so you won't have to spend the HOURS going back to do it that I'm now going to have to do.  PLEASE, don't let what happened to me stop you from taking part in this amazing community, but do take some precautions.

The two services are:
My Free Copyright 
Copy Gator

I've also written up a Notice of Copyright that I will include with all files that I share from now on.  Over the next week, I'll be working to replace all of my files with zip files that include the cut file, photos, tutorials and my copyright notice, and that notice states that my files are to be given to others only in the format of the original zip file so that the copyright information will be passed along as well.  I have uploaded a copy of my notice, and you are welcome to download it and use it as a model for your own.  This is the one time that you CAN copy it (link is above, in the first sentence of this paragraph) for your own use - changing the personal information to your own, of course.  It's in a pdf, so you won't be able to copy and paste unless you have a full version of Adobe Reader, but you can copy the wording.  Use any program you have to type it up, then go to cutepdf.com for a freeware version of a pdf writer to convert it to a pdf.  If you download my copyright notice, PLEASE leave me a comment here. I would love to know how many people it helps!

Finally for the good news, I have TONS of new projects on the drawing table!  There is one coming tomorrow, so check back for it!  And, I just have to spill the beans...there's BLOG CANDY coming very soon!  Anybody ready for EASTER projects???


Cricut Kisses and Crafty Wishes!

25 comments:

Melissa @ M Miranda Creations said...

Dear Cindy,
I have been following your blog for a very short time, but want you to know that of all the blogs I have found that I am interested in yours is definitely one of my favorites. I like the clean look of your blog and I very much enjoy the projects that you share. I am a proud new owner of an Expression and plan to try out some of your ideas. TFS!!! I also want to thank you for all the info you have given the last few days on CopyRight info. I hope to one day soon have a new blog where I begin to share my ideas and though this has been a hurtful situation for you (and I am sorry that it happened)I appreciate the discussion it has caused to help so many others. Thank You! And I am looking forward to seeing the new projects you have coming soon!

Melissa M.

papillon digital design said...

Thanks both for the mention and the copyright. It's well worded and I am going to use some of your clear and concise words in my blog. If you have time can you please take a look at tuesday treats and think of what to add to as that site is a nightmare now for me regarding copyright :)

Cyndi said...

Cindy,
Thanks for sharing your Copywrite Notice. I have downloaded it. I don't know if I will ever need it, but I will be prepared if I do, Thanks to you.

Thanks for sharing all your research and hard work.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information, It seems to me you have been very upset about what happened. From this others can learn. You put much hard work into your files and projects and of course you want them protected as well as share them with others. And for the most part I being one really appreciate your work.

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Thanks for sharing that little copy gator is kind of cute... I put the big buy on my blog too....

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this Freebie. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in Creative Busy Hands Cricut Freebies Search List, under the Elements post on Jan. 30, 2010. Thanks again.

217 Creations said...

Thanks Cindy for the shout out!!!! Also thank you for the copyright protection service links.

MelodyR aka Ry&MysMom said...

Thanks for the copywright info, Cindy. Not going to download it quite yet as I have no time to even contemplate starting a blog. I would like to comment on your beautiful pictures though.....what an awesome view you've got! TFS!

:) MelodyR aka RyandMysMom

Natalie said...

Thanks Cindy, you are a beacon of light in this crazy world! I plan on using the blueprint of your copyright notice when I get a second. I have been playing around with making a watermark brush in Photoshop Elements, which is very easy. I have also started reworking my blog to reflect how I want to be respected as an artist/designer/crafter! Thanks so much! I will be in touch!

Jess (aka Sparksgal) said...

Thanks for sharing your copyright info. After reading your post the other day and reading the posts on the Cricut MBs, I went ahead and signed up for My Free Copyright. After reading today's post, I'm also adding CopyGator and will also be adding some copyright info. I've downloaded your Copyright Notice to use as a model. Thanks for your help!

Natalie said...

Oh wise woman...how do you add your cursive name at the end of your entries?

Doodle Queen said...

Thanks for sharing your info. I just posted on my blog about it two days ago, karensdoodles.blogspot.com. Anne, my DT, pointed me to your site. This info is very useful :-) I think if we all stick together and share ideas we can help to stop people from stealing our work.
Hugs, Karen :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about your problems, and I wish I understood everything about it, but I don't. I started a blog to enter a contest. I don't know anything about blogging. I can't post a project, add a link, grab a blinkie- nothing. After reading about your problem, I'm convinced there's a lot to know . The only file I was able to download-and find-was a file to make a "bow easy" in DS. The download put it on my desktop. I'll probably stick with posting projects on the MB. {I'm not even sure I post in the right forum, someone told me some places were just for design team members}
But I will keep following you as you are among my favorite. TFS

Cindy McVey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cindy McVey said...

Natalie, you are too funny! LOL!
Almost everything I know how to do on blogs, I taught myself, so I guess you can say I'm only the "wise woman" when it comes to knowing how to find it on google! LOL!

Seriously, though, make your signature in Photoshop or another paint program and save it as a transparent gif or png. Upload it to Photobucket. If you don't already have an account, sign up - it's free and I guarantee you'll be using it more as you add more things to your blog.

Now just go here for the code and instructions on adding it to your blog.
http://www.blogspottutorial.com/2009/02/how-to-include-signature-at-end-of-post.html

SAVE THE TEMPLATE before you mess with the code though, just in case you mess it up and need to go back!

Good luck!

Audrey Frelx said...

Cindy, thanks again for all the info. I'm going to have to reread all you wrote to try to digest everything you're saying can done to protect our files. I'm not a blogging pro, but I've been catching on pretty quickly so I hope I can do some of these things too.

Again, I'm so sorry you went through such an ordeal, and hope you get your files in order soon.

I'll be seeing you!

Amy said...

So sorry to hear about what's happened to you. Thanks for posting all this info. I've book marked both pages for future refernce and saved your notice to be revised and used by me Thanks for all your hard work!

flowerdisco said...

Cindy, first of all I love your scenery. How peaceful! Thanks for sharing the copyright notice. I haven't downloaded it yet but I will as soon as I can. I do have a copyright service too. I am glad you guys communicated and this lady apologize. Not all know what's involved when blogging, including myself since I am a new blogger too. I guess we learned as we go.

Pauline said...

Thank you Cindy for sharing all your hard work. I've just downloaded your notice of copyright thank you. Loving your blog thanks again.

Cheryl Boglioli said...

Cindy, thank you so much. The time and energy you have put into this is amazing. Thank you also for continuing to have such a giving spirit. I have also downloaded your copyright notice and greatly appreciate it.

Axa said...

Thank you so much for all of this information. I know many people, (like myself) will find it very helpful and useful.

Bobbi said...

Thank you for all this information. I have downloaded your notice to use as a template. I really do not have much on my blog yet but am trying to upload more pictures and designs when I have time. I have signed up for the myfreecopyright but for some reason copygator will not connect for me. I am going to try again. Thanks for everything.

Sweet Paper Bliss said...

Thank you so much for the info about copyrights and the link to the site. Very valuable info. Love your blog and want to tell you how much I appreciate your generous sharing of ideas.

Dimples said...

Just discovered your blog today and am now a follower. I just started a blog and I am glad you took the time to give info on copyright. I just downloaded your notice and I am going to the suggested websites to register. Thanks for all your help. Looking forward to see more creative files on your blog.

cricaholic said...

Cindy,
I have a blog now and I don't want what happened to you to happen to me. I signed up with the 2 servers you suggested. I'm going to check out your watermark video now.
WHERE ARE YOU!!!! I've MISSED your CREATIVITY!!HOPE ALL IS WELL!!

About Me

My photo
Midlothian, Virginia, United States
Lifetime crafter, beginning with sewing clothes for my troll dolls when I was 5. Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 2000. Wife of almost 30 years to my high school sweetheart and planning on 30 more! Mom to 2 great kids and one awesome new son-in-law. "Mom" to 3 furkids, Pomeranians Roxy and Lulu, and a Calico cat, Sugar aka "Miss Fattypants." Addicted to all things Disney!
Photobucket