Why I'm Deleting my Pinterest Boards (gasp!!)
Did the title grab you?
Well. Let me explain.
You know how much I love Pinterest. Love, love, love, love, love. I think it's an amazing idea. I love being able to see pictures of things I'd like to save for later- so much more lovely and organized than a pile of bookmarks lost in a folder somewhere on my computer. I love finding projects for inspiration and tutorials and recipes and all the other random stuff that makes Pinterest so much fun.
But there is so much controversy over artists' rights and copying and hurt feelings. Some people are just not happy having their stuff pinned as inspiration. And here's the thing: there are some serious possible legal ramifications over pinning someone's work, especially if you pin the wrong person's.
My friend Patti from Easton Place Designs tweeted the link to this article yesterday, written by a lawyer who decided to look into those terms of use and privacy policies we all click saying we've read them even when we haven't. You should go read the article because I won't explain it nearly as well, but she basically found that Pinterest has a clause in there saying that you acknowledge that you own anything you pinned, and that if anyone sues you, you have to hire a lawyer for yourself and for Pinterest and pay for all ensuing costs.
Um, I don't know about you, but I don't have the time or money to go through a lawsuit for a pretty picture. So as of yesterday I started deleting my boards. I want to bookmark some of the stuff (yes, those lost and jumbled bookmarks) into organized categories- sewing tutorials for later, projects for Gus and Greta, recipes.
I'm not immediately getting rid of everything because there is a lot left to go through, and I think I'd like to keep my account in case I find something else I'd like to bookmark. I have found so many amazing and inspiring blogs and sites on Pinterest that I never would have otherwise. I know there are lots of people out there happy to share and want their work pinned and passed on, but I just don't want to stumble upon the one who doesn't.
So it's a sad day but I think for me it's the right thing to do. Hop on over to my page if you want to pin anything you see before it disappears. And for the record, you are welcome to pin anything you see here or in my Etsy shop. I think it's a great way to share, so feel free. My jar shelf amazingly got about 125 pins and repins, for which I am thrilled and humbled. It makes me happy that someone might like to try and make their own.
I'd love to hear what you think about all this. Will you keep your boards? Do you have copyright infringement issues? What do you think is the right thing to do?
Well. Let me explain.
You know how much I love Pinterest. Love, love, love, love, love. I think it's an amazing idea. I love being able to see pictures of things I'd like to save for later- so much more lovely and organized than a pile of bookmarks lost in a folder somewhere on my computer. I love finding projects for inspiration and tutorials and recipes and all the other random stuff that makes Pinterest so much fun.
But there is so much controversy over artists' rights and copying and hurt feelings. Some people are just not happy having their stuff pinned as inspiration. And here's the thing: there are some serious possible legal ramifications over pinning someone's work, especially if you pin the wrong person's.
My friend Patti from Easton Place Designs tweeted the link to this article yesterday, written by a lawyer who decided to look into those terms of use and privacy policies we all click saying we've read them even when we haven't. You should go read the article because I won't explain it nearly as well, but she basically found that Pinterest has a clause in there saying that you acknowledge that you own anything you pinned, and that if anyone sues you, you have to hire a lawyer for yourself and for Pinterest and pay for all ensuing costs.
Um, I don't know about you, but I don't have the time or money to go through a lawsuit for a pretty picture. So as of yesterday I started deleting my boards. I want to bookmark some of the stuff (yes, those lost and jumbled bookmarks) into organized categories- sewing tutorials for later, projects for Gus and Greta, recipes.
I'm not immediately getting rid of everything because there is a lot left to go through, and I think I'd like to keep my account in case I find something else I'd like to bookmark. I have found so many amazing and inspiring blogs and sites on Pinterest that I never would have otherwise. I know there are lots of people out there happy to share and want their work pinned and passed on, but I just don't want to stumble upon the one who doesn't.
So it's a sad day but I think for me it's the right thing to do. Hop on over to my page if you want to pin anything you see before it disappears. And for the record, you are welcome to pin anything you see here or in my Etsy shop. I think it's a great way to share, so feel free. My jar shelf amazingly got about 125 pins and repins, for which I am thrilled and humbled. It makes me happy that someone might like to try and make their own.
I'd love to hear what you think about all this. Will you keep your boards? Do you have copyright infringement issues? What do you think is the right thing to do?
This is all so crazy...tsk tsk to Pinterest not making that more clear. They know good and well people don't sit and read through the T&C's even though...maybe we should. Oh well...it was fun while it lasted. I'll still keep my pinterest. I don't really use it that much except for now I'm pinning wedding ideas!
ReplyDeleteI read that article, too, and I can't believe Pinterest would pull something like that. Part of me wants to delete my boards, but then the other part of me thinks about the hours and hours I've spent looking for ideas... Ugh. Maybe I'll do what you're doing and eventually turn them all into bookmarks somewhere.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, people can pin anything of mine!
I wonder if there is a way to not allow items to be pinned from a site. For example - an Etsy seller could choose that their images are not pinable, I believe facebook does not allow pinning.
ReplyDeleteI am going to continue to put, but only items people want pinned. Such as a blog tutorial for build something - they are sharing how they did things on purpose. I think if it's pinned correctly - with the correct links and comments it's appropriate.
I may purge some of the Etsy items I've pinned though - realizing now those people don't have a choice if things are pinned or not.
Very interesting topic -
Very controversial and I am not sure what to do.
ReplyDeletePart of me wants to get rid of the whole thing immediately and another part just loves pinning way too much and to think of all the people I met using Pinterest...oh, what to do?! xxx
Ugh...you know, I know I have to do something about my pins too, but I'm just dreading it. I LOVE having a visual list of bookmarks etc, but I just hate that it's come to this. I have a friend who's going through every single one of her pins and asking permission to have them up. That seems like so much work, but what choice are we left with? Now pinterest has that code you can put on your website to opt out of pins. But it's way too late. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'll do exactly as you are at some point. And it's gotta be soon.
At some point the legalities will catch up with the site and they will have to take action. For now, I'm not going anywhere. I stuck with Napster to the bitter end and will stick with Pinterest. It's the place to be these days, as evidenced by the fact that it's one of my top traffic sources for Etsy and HubPages. I don't feel that it's my place to take a big stand about their legal issues and will let them work it out in time (which will come, I'm sure).
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Interesting. So what about Wanelo and StumbleUpon? Same issues apply?
ReplyDeleteAND.... my stuff is all pinable:)
ReplyDeleteI read the article fully... I'm now purging anything that could have been taken by a professional. Personal blogs that don't have copyright info... that I'm not sure about.
ReplyDeleteOh this makes me sad... very very sad. I am not sure what to do! P.S. I am totally fine with anything of mine being pinned as well.
ReplyDeleteWhile I definitely understand there is a liability issue . . . what are they going to do? Sue the world? I wouldn't go deleting your Pin Boards or your Pinterest accounts. Think of it this way. A Pin Board is just like printing a picture off of the internet (which we can all do) and putting on a bulletin board. Same thing. Besides it is free advertisement for just about everyone. :-)
ReplyDeleteI saw an article last week about whether or not Pinterest is legal. Now, reading this makes me think otherwise. It's sad but I may have to delete my account. :-(
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. My husband is a lawyer and shakes his head in shame at me whenever I don't fully read something before agreeing to it or signing my name. Oops.
ReplyDelete