[this is an international message, so please click the flags in the sidebar to translate]
Hi Everyone,
I want to thank everyone for a wonderful response to Wryn and the recent new images....it makes me happy to connect with so many of you and your lovely creations. :)
While I love seeing all the happy creating and sharing on the blogs, there is one kind of sharing that makes me a little less happy.
I have had a lot of requests lately for using and sharing images (mostly in classes), which makes me wonder how many lovely artists are not asking.
Let me just remind you (in the most friendly way) that when you buy a digital stamp or image you are
only paying for THE RIGHT to use that image yourself.
You are not buying the image, just paying for permission to use it on a personal basis.
Now specifically to address instructors of classes. I understand that many want to use images to teach a coloring
class and so might print out one or two images per person in their class for
everyone to color. This is not allowed or permissible under my
Terms of Use.
The low $3 price does not include a license to use it in classes or as giveaways or any other ways that involve free use.
Let me see if I can explain why without making anyone mad. This is sensitive subject as people jump to the conclusion that I am labeling this as intentional theft. However, for 99% of the classes or ways in which images are shared,
the sharing is done with excitement and joy because you love the image and you want everyone else to know that (not to steal or intentionally break
TOUs). For that, I do thank you, but let's try to reframe this gentle correction in a new way.
Scenario: You just found Wryn and you teach 15 people how to use Copics at the local scrapbooking center and you want each of them to love Wryn and have fun coloring. So you print out 3 different images for all 15 people in your class to color and practice on. That is 45 images ($3 each) for a total of $135 free products you just gave away. Now you say, but I am advertising for you, what is the big deal?? While I do appreciate the advertising, it isn't actually free.
What is the percentage of those 15 people who will come to my shop and purchase something from me? Or pass along the link to the shop? Truly, it will not be high. As I would in their place, most will simply enjoy their free products and some may come shopping, but it is doubtful that their purchases will add up to $135 in the near future. So while you did show 15 new people 3 new images, there is a better way to do that.
Instead of printing or forwarding the file to 15 people, please take a copy and the link so that you can show instead of share.
Now take it one step further, if your small class is sharing images, imagine the global
impact...if there are 20 classes in the United States, 10 in
Holland, and 15 in Australia (except those numbers are probably very low) doing the
same thing, then my actual "advertising" cost is closer to $4,500 [45 classes at $100 free product per class)
If you want to share Wryn with your class, please email me and I will set up a discount coupon for people in the class so that they really will come and share the Tiddly Inks love.
Now the other side is the argument that if they didn't see it, they
wouldn't purchase it anyway, so I get that side of it, but I am asking
you to honor the
terms of use anyway. There are many ways to appropriately share your love of the images without giving away the images. Show, but don't share....create and blog, but don't give away....pretty, pretty please.
So if you truly want to support an artist making her way through the new world of digital images and figuring how to work with people in the new world of digital art, then please follow the
TOUs and allow me to draw and not police infractions. I hate doing it and I hate that I even have to bring it up...the terms are stated very clearly in advance.
I want to support you and your crafting and I ask the same in return. I am not a large company. I handle all my own emails and issues, so each time I have to spend 15 minutes tracking down a problem, it is 15 minutes that destroys creativity and detracts from more Wryns and images.
Thank you for your amazing support and understanding...I hope this clears it up and helps you see what I mean...if you are still unsure what is allowed, here is the long version:
The following is intended as a firm reminder...When you buy a digital stamp or image you are not buying a physical product, but rather THE RIGHT to use that image---just you though, not your family and friends (this does not include younger children who live with you :D). You are not buying the image, just paying for permission to use it on a personal basis. This is how many artists make their money, through royalties and rights.
TIDDLY INKS TERMS OF USE
- Only the single, original purchaser has the right to use the product. Please do not share with friends and family or in classes.
- This is offered only for personal use---it may NOT be used for commercial reproduction.
- You may sell handmade cards, but not the images themselves.
- The image may be colored digitally or traditionally.
- It would be greatly appreciated if you would credit http://tiddlyinks.com (with a clickable link) wherever the design is posted.
- Graphics may NOT be altered, added to, and claimed as your own (i.e., used as your avatar, icon or banner image).
Please retain the copyright signature.
- You may not give or sell this design as digital file or printed sheet--which includes family, RAKs, swaps or anything related. I am happy to offer a gift certificate if you would like to gift an image.
- If I didn't cover any unforeseen circumstances, you must ask prior to acting.
ALL COPYRIGHTS REMAIN WITH CHRISTY CROLL/TIDDLY INKS
