Look out, Look out, there's a thief (thieves) about!!!!

[SylviaF]

I'm totally shocked to read this thread and learn about the thievery and fraud which has taken place so soon after the last event - so sorry Erika and all of you who have had your lovely designs pinched and so sorry that we all lose out because of some unscrupulous scum who thought they could benefit from other people's hard work and talent. They do say "what goes around comes around" and I fervently hope this person gets their comeuppance.

I have only ever posted 2 simple templates but I was so pleased to have created them (it was a long and painful process - a bit like giving birth really!) but I was so happy to share them in case anyone could make use of them. All this nasty business really takes the shine off things doesn't it.

[BleakHouse]

I have just read all the posts and cannot believe it has happened again. I too am hopeless at making my own templates and have loved all the brilliant templates posted on the site. It will be a terrible pity to loose all the talented designers but I can totally understand that they do not want there beautiful work ending up on cd's or auction sites. It is terrible that a few low life people have to spoil it for everyone. I haven't been a member of this site for all that long but when I joined everyone was helpful. I have noticed that a lot of people who used to post on the site and answer questions don't any more, but I can understand why. I only hope that something can be done somehow to protect the files posted on here and hope that the talented people on UKS still carry on helping those of us who are not so talented. We cannot let the low life win.

[moonbeamcottage]

I can't believe this has happened again. I am completely artistically inept so I have used several templates to make stunning cards and have been so grateful that they were available for me to use freely. However I can totally understand the feelings of the artists who want to remove their templates, it must be so galling to have your generosity abused in such a way over and over again. I am cross that you have been treated so shabbily and I am cross that because of these thieves I will lose such a wonderful resource MaryAnne your communication with this person was perfect - I hope they are prosecuted. They are no better than shop lifters or muggers.

[Hysteri-CAL]

Could the template section not be password protected ... and only given to legitimate 'trusted' UKS members ??

I suppose someone would then have to pay sponsorship on the forum then ?

Maybe a couple of people could get together and pay for sponsorship, and then charge a minimal fee for the templates ?

[NikiB]

Could the template section not be password protected ... and only given to legitimate 'trusted' UKS members ??

I suppose someone would then have to pay sponsorship on the forum then ?

Maybe a couple of people could get together and pay for sponsorship, and then charge a minimal fee for the templates ?

This section of the forum is already sponsered by Graphtec, and it is being looked into about people being able to advertise just here in the Robo section for a small sponsership fee so they can advertise their site/ebay name

MaryAnne is great and is really trying to help come up with a solution that will suit all - guess it helps that she is a Robo owner herself

[jackiestuart]

I have just read with disgust what has happened and can't believe we have yet another money orientated vulture who has set out to distroy the camaraderie of the generous and talented people of UKS.
The only answer is to prosecute the perpetrator and to ensure they are named and shamed.
Erika I am truly sorry that this has happened and for the distress it has caused you. I have used some of your designs in family cards as I know you are aware, and feel that not having your designs will be a great loss to everyone on UKS.
I feel very saddened that such a wonderful site like UKS has been abused in this way and hope that we will be able to ensure that this despicable crime never happens again, but am I being too optimistic!!!

[Janecck]

I am appaulled that this has happen again and totally agree with what my sister (bleakhouse) has said. I have put a couple of tenplates on the site but they weren't up to the standards of Etui and others. I like many others on this site rely on the tallented people who put templates on the site, my Robo would be redundant without them. Something must be done to stop this happening again.

[lucylogic]

Once again we have been invaded by another low life who thinks she can take what others have given so freely. I am really sorry that files have been taken after all the hard work has been put into making them. The enjoyment that we get from making and sharing them is a pride in our achievements and that can't be taken away. The enjoyment is soured though when someone takes our work for profit. That is not on at all.

Whoever has done this must be named and shamed and even the auction site must be told and this person banned from there also.

Although I don't contribute much in the way of templates here, I do make card templates to sell but they are all my own work so therefore sell my own stuff, but they are not GSDs. No way would I contemplate coming here and participating in the Chat section and stealing work from the Template section, my conscience would not allow it.

I hope that a solution can be found whereby some templates can still be uploaded but protected, but I'm not sure how this can be done. The people I feel really sorry for are the new Robo owners. Their enthusiasm must be nurtured to get the same pleasure as we do from using our Robo's and we must continue to support them.

You know there is an old saying "What goes around, comes around" and by God that is true!!

[Mr Gentleflower]

I can confirm that indeed the offender has been banned from UKS....and anyone else thinking of doing the same be warned I will track you down... If anyone has a suspect CD or DVD please contact me, or Gentleflower.

Alan

[Carroll]

why do people insist on spoiling it for everyone who uses the files as they were meant to be used. I think they should be named and banned from uk scrappers.

I'm sorry this has happened to great people who are willing to share their hard work with us.

[witchy1066]

So sorry for you talented designers that this has happened again. i have never uploaded any of my files on uks because i have been a victim of file theft in the past and that was to someone i personally sent the file to, a few days later my design was on auction site not the file but the actual cut out. I am always willing to help and advise which is the best way forward help more people to design there own and if they want something special then sorry but you should pay for the template. We will never stop this from happening but we can make it harder, and i cannot stress enough, Robo owners who think they cannot do their own, YES YOU CAN, if i can anyone can, and the feeeling when you succeed is almost as good as sex, almost LOL

xxxxxxxxxxx

[MaryAnne]

For those of you who are interested in protecting your work, this link may prove helpful. It's an interesting read in any case.

This is the link to the UK-specific info

I'm not sure if this translates easily to the CR templates. This bit seems the most appropriate:

Can I apply a Creative Commons license to an offline work?

Yes. For offline works, you should identify which Creative Commons license you wish to apply to your work and then mark your work either: (a) with a statement such as “This work is licensed under the Creative Commons [insert description] License. To view a copy of this license, visit [insert url]; or, (b) send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 2nd Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.” or insert the applicable license buttons with the same statement and URL link.

The only difference between applying a Creative Commons license to an offline work and applying it to an online work is that offline works will not include the metadata and, consequently, will not be identified via Creative Commons-customized search engines.

I am looking to see if it is possible to make the CR template section password protected, requiring people to apply for the password and to return an electronic form acknowledging the permitted uses of any downloads before being given access - which at least offers another layer of explaination and makes it that much harder for them to claim they had no idea what they were doing was wrong.

[Mgt1]

I agree with everyone else - name and shame.
Its such a pity what's happened, I have learned such a lot from all you talented people out there.
Best wishes to you all
Margaret

[sueuk52]

Did I see a thread on here after the first cd was found that contained files from uks people, that said something about a list of safe sellers?? I have been looking on the auction site and there are loads of templates being sold and it is impossible to identify genuine people.

Sue

[Mr Gentleflower]

Did I see a thread on here after the first cd was found that contained files from uks people, that said something about a list of safe sellers?? I have been looking on the auction site and there are loads of templates being sold and it is impossible to identify genuine people.

Sue

The thread was "well well well legal action will be taken"

Usually these low lifes do not display any designs just a picture of the cover of the cd, although of course genuine sellers may not also supply pictures of whats inside the cd.

NikiB has a listing of trusted sellers in ebay

Alan