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Generalmassive copyright infringement
6th Dec 2016 08:28 UTCWolfgang Hampel 🌟 Expert
I have just come accross this site Rockstone where - much to my surprise - I have not only found one of my pictures featured here on Mindat but also hundreds of other copyright protected pictures from Mindat. No credit is given, neither to Mindat, nor the respective authors of the photographs.
The site is run by German mining analyst Stephan Bogner, based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Personally, I have nothing against the idea that any of my images are used elsewhere as long as I get asked beforehand and a copyright notice is given in the text. Quite a few journals (printed and online), as well as exhibitions and others have done so in the past and I have always been happy to grant permission free of charge.
What really annoys me the most in this case is the fact, that in the German Disclaimer he writes that:
“All contents (texts as well as tables, graphs, images & charts) are copyright protected“
(Original: “Sämtliche Inhalte (sowohl Texte als auch Tabellen, Grafiken, Bilder & Charts) sind urheberrechtlich geschützt)
I would call this a „hostile copyright takeover“. What are your thoughts about this?
6th Dec 2016 09:16 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager
I just took a quick look at the site and noticed several of Rob Lavinsky's photos had been used (I simply recognised them). What I also noticed was that there were at least 3 photos of my own specimens - photos that I had taken.
I certainly had not been asked permission.
I also note that there are several articles with such photos.
I will try and investigate further.
Cheers
Keith
6th Dec 2016 09:23 UTCPeter Trebilcock Expert
A quick browse of the site shows several of my pictures which are copyright, am I sure? , absolutely as they still have my catalog number on a couple of them, I will show them to a mineral collecting friend who is also a top lawyer who specializes in this type of breach and get his opinion.
On one hand I am quite proud that he thought my pics were good enough to include but a little disappointed with his lack of common courtesy.
Regards Peter.
6th Dec 2016 09:26 UTCPaul De Bondt Manager
I found a photo of a specimen in my collection and I didn't receive any demand of use.
Thanks Wolfgang.
6th Dec 2016 10:05 UTCWolfgang Hampel 🌟 Expert
I don't know too much about copyright laws in your respective countries, but in Germany there are quite a few lawyers ("Abmahnanwälte" / "cease-and-desist lawyers") specialised in this type of copyright infringement. As far as I know, it does not take much effort and a violator of copyrights has to pay in the range of € 600 - € 1000 per image. I am seriously considering contacting one of these lawyers, and, if I win the case I would be happy to donate the compensation to Mindat.
6th Dec 2016 10:21 UTCRui Nunes 🌟 Expert
Rui
Edit: in a second visit I found fifteen!
6th Dec 2016 10:53 UTCFrank Craig
6th Dec 2016 11:03 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager
They have copied the photos to their website.
6th Dec 2016 12:24 UTCBruce Cairncross Expert
6th Dec 2016 12:31 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager
6th Dec 2016 12:35 UTCWolfgang Hampel 🌟 Expert
The photos with captions are only available in the German version, his "research" is mainly meant for the German speaking investor community. I think he did not see the need to translate all (back) into English.
Wolfgang
6th Dec 2016 13:26 UTCBruce Cairncross Expert
6th Dec 2016 13:55 UTCJohn R. Montgomery 🌟 Expert
A quick run through and I saw A David K.Joyce photo of a forsterite specimen off Mindat.
John
6th Dec 2016 14:47 UTCHenry Minot 🌟 Expert
Henry
6th Dec 2016 14:56 UTCJeff Weissman Expert
I spotted at least 12 of my images, including several POTD, and many more that I recognized from Mindat. When asked, I usually give permission for non-commercial or academic use (I will sometimes ask for a small fee for for-profit endeavors). Certainly, this was not the case here, and I doubt I would have given permission for commercial use such as this without further discussion.
6th Dec 2016 15:11 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert
6th Dec 2016 15:20 UTCDouglas Merson 🌟 Expert
6th Dec 2016 15:27 UTCBob Harman
Firstly, let me emphatically state that I fully agree with the posters stating that it appears to be copyright infringement.
But, the real problem, to me, is any discussions going along with the pictures.
For example, if a picture of a mineral specimen were shown and the accompanying comments were something like: "This is a great example of mineral ZZZ from XXX mine well worth looking for blah, blah, blah", I would not be too upset. The picture AND THE DISCUSSION would potentially enhance both my collection and value of the piece.
On the other hand, if THE DISCUSSION of the pictured specimen said something like: "This is a low end example not worthy of display etc, blah, blah, blah. I would be most seriously upset as it disparages my collection and potentially lowers any monetary value.
So, for me, the copyright infringement might be in any disparaging discussion of the pictured piece rather that than just the usurped picture per se. CHEERS.....BOB
6th Dec 2016 15:49 UTCDebbie Woolf Manager
6th Dec 2016 15:58 UTCPaul De Bondt Manager
It would be less annoying if, when clicking on the pic, it opens in Mindat. But this does not.
6th Dec 2016 16:51 UTCMark Heintzelman 🌟 Expert
I will also join the complaint list . .no permission was ever requested with me either, and I'm not sure I would have for this particular project (plenty of good field books out there).
But despite any otherwise good intentions, he has stolen a lot of hard work and years worth of effort, all of which had been contributed to the efforts HERE for this purpose.
None of us made this effort for this "rockstone" site, and likely many of us would not have, so yes I am pretty unhappy about this. The level of arrogance and/or ignorance is jarring.
MRH
6th Dec 2016 16:58 UTCJohn Betts
Search "Whois" for the domain, find the host company, and send them an email with evidence of where the original content was first posted. It is not uncommon for the site to disappear within a day.
Facebook also has a simple process for infringement claims at: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/634636770043106
That being said, it appears this site is for educational purposes, which is a good thing. He does not appear to be making money from it.
6th Dec 2016 17:00 UTCSteve Stuart Expert
6th Dec 2016 17:02 UTCSteve Stuart Expert
6th Dec 2016 17:18 UTCScott Rider
6th Dec 2016 17:19 UTCMark Heintzelman 🌟 Expert
A mindat field guide is NOT such a bad idea, for quick reference or general educational purposes on the subject, especially for the kids. This is a fairly daunting site for those with beginning interest on the subject, and frankly, if I had the time to initiate an effort, I would have booked this subject myself.
MRH
6th Dec 2016 17:30 UTCPhil M. Belley Expert
https://web.archive.org/web/20160913211714/http://rockstone-research.com/index.php/de/geologie-exploration/284-Kapitel-4:-Gesteinsbildende-Minerale