The software company Teorex www.theinpaint.com has introduced an inexpensive retouching program called "InPaint". While this in itself is not a bad thing, the website is advertising the software as a way to "remove logos and watermarks" from images.
I have already spoken with PPA's Copyright and Legal Dept, but am encouraging ALL of you to write a letter to this company to ask them to stop advertising their program essentially as a way to violate copyrights.
My letter to Teorex is posted below.
Their email is support@theinpaint.com or teorex@op.pl ; if you are a PPA Member, I would also recommend CCing Maria Matthews of PPA at copyrightdefense@ppa.com .
Thanks for your help, but PLEASE REMEMBER:
The software itself is not the problem, it's the manner in which they are marketing it. If you choose to write a letter, please make sure to keep it polite and professional. This will get us a lot farther than threats and trash-talk.
- David Grupa
---------------------------------------------------
Teorex Software
March 8, 2012
RE: InPaint
Good Morning -
Your website (www.theinpaint.com) was brought to my attention this morning by a concerned colleague. After reviewing the site and your software, I was disappointed to see that you are promoting it as a way to remove logos and copyright markings from images.
"Remove undesirable objects from still images, such as logos, watermarks, power lines, people, text or any other undesired artefacts.”(sic)
Professional photographers rely on watermarking their images with copyright or studio logos to prevent online image theft and illegal use. By advertising your software as a way to remove these markings, this is essentially encouraging the practice of copyright infringement.
The screenshot page (http://www.theinpaint.com/screenshots.html) actually shows an example of how to remove such a watermark from a photograph.
While I understand that your software in and of itself can be a helpful product for manipulation of images, I am asking that you simply remove references to "removing logos and watermarks" from your products description, along with any images or screenshots that depict your product being used in this manner. This will still allow you to demonstrate the qualities of your product without encouraging and profiting from copyright infringement or other illegal activity.
Thank-you for your understanding and cooperation.
Respectfully,
David L. Grupa, CPP, M.Photog.Cr., AFS-MNPPA
CC: Maria Matthews - Professional Photographers of America - Copyright & Legal Affairs
March 8, 2012
RE: InPaint
Good Morning -
Your website (www.theinpaint.com) was brought to my attention this morning by a concerned colleague. After reviewing the site and your software, I was disappointed to see that you are promoting it as a way to remove logos and copyright markings from images.
"Remove undesirable objects from still images, such as logos, watermarks, power lines, people, text or any other undesired artefacts.”(sic)
Professional photographers rely on watermarking their images with copyright or studio logos to prevent online image theft and illegal use. By advertising your software as a way to remove these markings, this is essentially encouraging the practice of copyright infringement.
The screenshot page (http://www.theinpaint.com/screenshots.html) actually shows an example of how to remove such a watermark from a photograph.
While I understand that your software in and of itself can be a helpful product for manipulation of images, I am asking that you simply remove references to "removing logos and watermarks" from your products description, along with any images or screenshots that depict your product being used in this manner. This will still allow you to demonstrate the qualities of your product without encouraging and profiting from copyright infringement or other illegal activity.
Thank-you for your understanding and cooperation.
Respectfully,
David L. Grupa, CPP, M.Photog.Cr., AFS-MNPPA
CC: Maria Matthews - Professional Photographers of America - Copyright & Legal Affairs
---------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment