Technology Use Scenario #12

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2: USING BLOGS AS DISCUSSION FORUMS

One of this week’s course learning activities had us exploring several of Ribble’s (2011) Technology Use Scenarios. The main intent of this activity was to explore one specific scenario and answer questions that address the appropriateness of the technology use acknowledged in the chosen scenario. The following includes an insert of the scenario that I choose as well as answers to the learning activity questions.

“Matt enjoys taking pictures with his digital camera. His pictures are quite unusual and can be easily identified as his work. He wants to let other people see his pictures so he posts them on his website. A couple of months later he is surfing the Internet and sees some of his pictures on someone else’s website. At first he is flattered that someone enjoyed his pictures, but on closer inspection he sees that he is not credited anywhere on the site as the person who took the photos. The way the images are posted make it seem as if the site owner has taken the pictures” 

(Ribble, 2011, p. 93).

National Geographic Kids. (2013).   

“A man photographing the beautiful hot-air balloons in the sun-setting background” [Online Photograph]. 

Photographer: Jovial.  

Link

Is the individual in the scenario using technology inappropriately?

What actions make the scenario appropriate or inappropriate?

What could or should the individual have done differently? 

In this scenario, Matt is using technology appropriately since he is posting his own pictures on his website. He is within his digital right since he is expressing his own thoughts through his creative works. 

With the introduction of Creative Commons and existing copyright laws, it is well known that digital users must not copy or modify works of other users without proper credit or consent of the owner(s). However, for some reason some individuals still believe copyright laws do not apply to the Internet. If it is found in cyberspace than it is ‘free’ for all to reproduce, share and take credit – THIS IS A MYTH! Any information on the Internet such as pictures, music, videos and written material, has ownership. Somebody ‘out there’ took the time to make the information available. Digital suppliers of the Internet have exclusive rights to their creative work and to control the copying/sharing of that creation – even without copyright notations (Templeton,2008). 

Unfortunately, the individual who has re-posted the pictures is acting inappropriately since he has not requested Matt’s permission or properly acknowledged where the pictures were obtained. Anyone who copies online images without the proper consent or citation may be liable and found guilty of copyright infringement laws (Murtha& Murtha, 2013). 

Digital citizens have the responsibility to adhere to copyright laws by ensuring to cite all, and any, information correctly without committing plagiarism or acts of fraud/forgery. Citizens will respect the property of ownership by not illegally copying or sharing, online material, without proper consent of recognition. To be safe, digital users should just ask permission to ensure everyone’s safety.

For the future, Matt could take some of the following appropriate suggestions to ensure that his online images are safe from being copied inappropriately in the digital world.

SOME SUGGESTIONS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL AND UNETHICAL COPYING OF ONLINE IMAGES:

• The use of Creative Commons enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools. Its free, copyright licenses offers permission for the public to share and use creative works of others.

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  Yong, J. (2013) 
  “Infographic via Imgembed and Visual.ly” [Online Image]. Link

  Imgembed is a website that provides images that every digital user can use fairly and legally. It allows users to embed images that acknowledge the creator(s). It only takes two hassle-free steps: setting the dimensions, and copying the embed code to your blog or website (Yong,2013).

• Using a digital watermark on images may distract from the creative image; however, it can protect the image from being copied illegally (Murtha & Murtha, 2013).

• In the U.S.A you can registrar your online image with the United States Electronic Copyright Office every three months for a low cost fee.

• Despite the fact that Canada does not have existing copyright laws for online images, owners can still partake in becoming a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Image Creators. This association recognizes the digital rights of photographers, illustrators and artists and are dedicated to safeguarding the illegal copying of electronic images.

• Digital image creators can make a simple notation on their website, or image, which informs other users that their image can not be reproduced without consent.

• Creative owners can track if their images are being duplicated unethically or illegally by using features in Google Images. Once they upload their  “image search query”, Google will provide a list of websites using visually similar photos – if not the exact photo! (Raj, 2012).

Matt may not be able to stop others from ‘stealing’ his pictures but he may find some comfort in knowing that he has the right to proceed with legal actions.  Who knows he may benefit like Andrew Paul Leonard, a photographer, who was awarded 1.6 million dollars in a copyright infringement lawsuit when a jury found a company guilty for purposely using his online photos without his consent. An expensive lesson to learn – especially since all it takes is to ensure that you obtain consent and cite any online material appropriately – only then are you practising your digital rights and responsibilities in becoming a model digital citizen.

References:

Murtha, J.D., & Murtha, M.  (2013, January 1). Two simple steps to protect your photos from being stolen on the internet. Retrieved November 15, 2013 from http://www.murthalawfirm.com/simple-steps-protect-photos-stolen-internet/

Raj, A. (2012, November 28). Image plagiarism: Track duplicate images using Google. Budding geek [Blog]. Retrieved November 15, 2013 at http://www.buddinggeek.com/2012/11/check-duplicate-image-plagiarism-google.html

Ribble, M. (2011). Digital citizenship in schools (2^nd Ed.).Washington, D.C:  International Society for Technology in Education

Templeton, B. (2008, October). 10 big myths about copyright explained. Retrieved from http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

Yong, J. (2013, August 27). Infographic: Stealing images online vs using images fairly. Retrieved November 15, 2013 from http://designtaxi.com/news/360233/Infographic-Stealing-Images-Online-VS-Using-Images-Fairly/%29/