Friday (15-July-2011) — New Jersey

Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright Abuse on the Net.

I was reading Jeff Revell’s Blog yesterday “Google Image Search Helps Me Track Down Abuse” and decided to try it out on one of my images. Surfer Girl is one of the most viewed images I have on my sister’s ShepArt Studio SmugMug site. I found four instances of the image in locations that I didn’t know about or authorize. Two were in a Maui Surf Report blog where someone was trying to help me identify the surfer so I could send her a print. Unfortunately, there is no copyright notice or identification of me as the photographer on the image that they posted.  The image then showed up in a “Quit-Your_DayJob-16-pics” blog at UberGnome.com. I reported this to the webmaster at the site, and he removed the image within 10 minutes. The fourth location was on the home page for Home Management Services in Maui. I have not received response yet to have the image removed. Alternatively, I will be sending them an invoice or a free rental in Maui.

Surfer Girl at Hookipa Beach Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Surfer Girl at Hookipa Beach Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec)

Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

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