Some of you may recall that my entire blog was stolen a few years ago.
There's another thief on the loose.
A kind reader alerted me to the fact that a local contracting company
is claiming to have renovated my house in 2.5 weeks and
is using photographs from the blog.
He even moved the location of my house to aid in the deception.
A friend of mine was so appalled he called the company and
told them to remove the photographs.
The thief asserted he worked on every project posted
on his Facebook page. I believe many are stolen.
I've posted to their Facebook page with a request to remove
my photographs.
This is a good lesson in watermarking.
*****************
UPDATE:
As of 10:00 p.m., thanks to comments from many of you on FB,
the photos of my house have been removed.
I filed a copyright infringement complaint against the company
on Facebook but I'd prefer to believe
it's a result of your generosity and support.
Thank you so much!
I'm so sorry to hear this, but glad you found out. Shame on them. They are just jealous of your wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteAll of the photos on that facebook page are stolen. What a slimeball
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to search them out and contact the owners of the images.
DeleteTheir address says Boston Design Center - wonder if even that's true. I feel like I've seen their logo somewhere. Sorry you have to deal with this!
ReplyDeleteDid you notice that Ynohtna Nosrahcir is Anthony Richardson spelled backward????
ReplyDeleteYou are Fabulous...........they are slime!!!!!
All the best!!!!!
Rob
That was a really keen observation. I didn't catch that at all!
DeleteWhat a disgrace. Do you have any legal redress? Your blog time line proves that they are liars. Two and a half weeks, Indeed, what jokers - if only!
ReplyDeleteI hope you reported them to Facebook. I have a feeling your readers have your back. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHave they no shame! All your hard work and thoughtfulness being casually stolen and used to further their lies. You know and your fans know that it’s all your work and ideas. Best Wishes and Peace to you.
ReplyDeleteThat is totally disgraceful. I wish there was a way to prevent the ability to copy photos from the net. I noticed some sites make it very difficult. For example Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture...it you try to copy a photo it says it is protected and won't let you.
ReplyDeleteI bet this is a very common thing in the internet world. Your house is a good advertisement though for the actual builder.
Ridiculously deceitful . . . shame on them! I would think you could bring some kind of legal action.
ReplyDeleteSo sad that people can even think they're justified in 'stealing' someone else's creativity ... stick to your guns on this one ... and consider contacting better business bureau ... if it actually exists and does any good in policing local businesses. Angie's List might be a good place to review these guys too ... just a thought.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about this. I started watermarking all my photos just in case. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteSupporting you!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I noticed the same thing as Rob. If they can't even use their own name there is definitely something very shady going on. They are probably the type of contractors that 20/20 had a show about where they get some "upfront" money and then take off. Maybe you could call the TV News station in that area and have them investigate them. (My local TV station has a segment each week where they track down scammers etc.)
ReplyDeleteanyway, I left a comment but I think you need to get the big guns out for this guy.
(now I need to research watermarking my Art!)
sorry you had to go through this again. :(
Call me naive, but I never knew this type of theft even existed.
ReplyDeleteThe perpetrators are, of course, despicable.
So sorry you are having to deal with this. It is such a violation -- as bad as or perhaps worse than an actual thief coming into your home.
Please don't be deterred from continuing to inform and delight us with YOUR blog.
Miranda,
DeleteI know, right? I guess thieves adapt as technology does.
Thank you all for your support and for those that left comments on his Facebook page. It took some doing but I filed a copyright violation complaint with Facebook which I hope will take my photos of his page.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you posted.
OK, I've posted some choice comments on his Facebook page. I can't believe people do things like this. My only consolation is it's harder and harder to get away with - Google Images...
ReplyDeleteI never saw those early images before. Inspiring!
Thank you so much Glad you got to see the house before I started work on it. It was a big accomplishment and so it's disappointing to see someone claim it as their own work.
DeleteHow bloody awful!
ReplyDeleteWow that is the ultimate BS Steve....bummer :(
ReplyDeleteThat's crapola... post a hundred requests on their facebook page. What a loser. I recently had a reader inform me that someone was using my photos on ebay to see a product. I asked the ebay seller remove them and they did, thank goodness. Eagle-eye readers are the best! Good luck.
ReplyDeletej.
I posted a comment on their FB page, too. What a bunch of slimeballs! Glad you were able to catch them so quickly.
ReplyDeleteTried to leave a comment on Facebook, but couldn't. Will try again. Thugs!
ReplyDeleteWow! What nerve! I'm off to FB to leave a comment on their fraud!
ReplyDeleteThis is unbelievable. They obviously have no talent and no shame.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Don't let this stop you posting.
Now I have to go check out that FB page.
Unbelievable.
xo Jane
That sucks. So glad everyone got together on this.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is wrong with people?!? Who has no problem embellishing their portfolio in this way...ridiculous! In some backhanded way is this a compliment to your genius? And how does Sam feel about having someone take credit for his hard work and talent...yep, stolen...do these people have an actual brick and mortar shop...shame on them...I think they just might have shot themselves in the foot... too bad they don't have any talent of their own to be proud of...ok, my 2 cents worth...
ReplyDeleteI would call your local news and REALLY expose Mr. Richardson.
ReplyDeleteImagine some poor soul hiring this fraud based on your images. If he is dishonest in his advertising, just imagine how dishonest he would be as a contractor with his foot in the door.
Unbelievable. What nerve!
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the roundup ( Vacation-woohoo) but in catching up let me say what others have-I cannot believe people do this! But then again, I can- when I started dating again ( two years after Daz died) my first contact was from a scammer-a low form of life is there ever was one. Hell is other people, eh?
ReplyDeleteKeep on FB to file charges/etc. They are as slow as turtles in the mud, BUT they can do things when prodded. I'd also put a disclaimer on YELP and any other ratings service about this "company." Social media can be awesome and then some when it comes to this kind of thing. Hope it all works out in your favor, Steve.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteThat is so hard to believe...so glad you got it worked out!
ReplyDeleteI'm just stunned that someone would do such a thing. Using someone else’s work as if it were their own to promote their company is just completely out of order. They are lower than whale dookies. And even that’s being generous.
ReplyDeleteme again... Steve, I hope you leave this post up, so if someone were to google the company in the future your post/information will come up. People need to know he's a scammer. You'll be paying it forward;) and keeping innocent people from hiring him.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear he took the photos down.
j.
Incredible!
ReplyDeleteSteve, So good to hear you were alerted and it has been taken down. These things frustrate me so much. Thanks, Bonnie
ReplyDeleteWOW! Just WOW! When I read the headline, I thought oh, no, another construction site theft (here copper has been the quick steal), but a whole house? Glad you had a positive outcome and kudos to those who came to your support.
ReplyDeleteHow do people sleep at night?! I'd love to know where they're located so I can write a review about them on Yelp.
ReplyDeleteExcept they'll probably just rename their "business" and start their scams under a new name. If these people would use their ingenuity in honest pursuits they'd probably make something of themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt boggles my mind that people do things like this. I guess I'm naive which in a way I'm kind of glad about. This type of thinking would never enter my mind, stealing someone else's hard work and property. I'm glad it has been resolved and I think your watermarking idea is unfortunately the way to go to prevent this.
ReplyDeletewhat a lot of balls........
ReplyDeletewhat the heck is wrong with these people? I think they are flat dumb
ReplyDeleteWow, how horrible - they are lower than pond scum!
ReplyDeleteI'd put a disclaimer right on your blog that NO PHOTO may be used or reprinted without prior written consent from you! Then explain your fee!!!
Wow that is really crazy! Sorry you had to go through that- glad you got it all taken care of, but what a hassle just cause people can't do their own work. Bright side: imitation is the highest form of flattery. But that really excludes thievery!
ReplyDeleteI am so sad for you and outraged too. It has to feel horrible when you do your blogging and images solely for the enjoyment others get, on your own free time, and then a scumb of the earth takes it for personal profit. Pathetic. The only good coming of this is that you can see how we all love what you do and support you! Xx
ReplyDeletewho does that?!? that is just pure stupidity on their part. If they are such a good company (and they are rated high on Angie's list) then why do they need to resort to such devious tactics?
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. They must have been so impressed with your make over they wanted to claim it for themselves. So well done there! Hope you contacted Angie's List as well...
So glad that things have been straightened out. May nothing but bad karma come to those thieves.
ReplyDeleteAnd, they are illiterate as well as dishonest! Witness the second sentence of their fraudulent post: "They will be sparking up there grill this afternoon."
Dummies!
In contrast, your prose -- and that of your commenters -- is always impeccable!
That is so wrong. I am amazed at what people will stoop to. We recently had a jaw dropper here:
ReplyDeleteOur city had a serious hail storm a while back and a lot of roof replacements are in process. A roofing company actually tore half the roof off the house of an elderly women, realized their mistake and disappeared. Her neighbors paid no attention at the time as they knew she needed a new roof. A couple roofing companies did step up to help her with the roof.
Didn't know the technology could allow such happenings. I'd be so PO'd. Yes, the TV station would be a good start for an investigation at least to expose them.
ReplyDeletePoor dears, too bad they don't have the talent to do what they claim. Maybe they should try another trade they'd be better at: (Creative suggestion for what that might be goes here- let your mind wander!)
The same company stole pictures off my blog as well! I have filed a complaint with Facebook and sent the owner a message. The nerve of some people!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck? These people are despicable! I'm glad that the pictures were taken down. Shameless!
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
Goodness! A reminder to watermark my own photos in future.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting the Boston area from the UK in October on route to Vermont and your posts are a great guide to the area - thanks!
It is absolutley amazing the depths that some will go to. I am glad you caught them in the act. Sometimes I forget to watermark, it is a pain I know!
ReplyDeleteThis is so unbelievable. Shocking! I'm glad they've taken them down.
ReplyDeleteNever ceases to amaze me what some people will do ... no matter how low and dishonest is it. 2 1/2 weeks, they say? That's just compounding the lie.
ReplyDeleteWatermarking is the best way I know to make sure that your photos stay YOUR photos. They'll get passed along on Pinterest and such, but the watermark brands them as YOURS no matter where they are. My watermark is large, and I adjust the opacity of it so it's not TOO distracting ... posted a tutorial on how I do it on my blog last year.
What is wrong with people?
ReplyDeleteIt's hell being so popular and having good work....nobody it stealing my stuff! Hee Haw
ReplyDeleteI did not look at FB but in your image of their posting, they spelled the "THEIR" with a "THERE". Moronic.
ReplyDelete