As the end of the year is getting closer and closer, many AG fans are wondering why we haven't seen photos of 18" Grace Thomas.
For weeks now, I have received countless emails inquiring whether I have seen any images and if/when I will post them. Today was a feeding frenzy over leaked mini doll images from Taobao. By the afternoon I saw doll bloggers and doll websites had removed the images.
I personally asked a member of American Girl's legal team to explain what is considered unauthorized reproduction, display, and distribution of American Girl's copyright-protected works, (specifically as it pertains to "public domain"). I was told that it is a common misconception that images found on the internet are in the public domain and can be freely copied. Pictures, written text, and other content can NEVER be copied from American Girl’s website or marketing materials (i.e. catalogs, promotional flyer, newsletters, product sheets and brochures, special events, posters, etc). And it is a violation of copyright infringement to post anything that has not been officially released by American Girl.
In conclusion let me say that the integrity of this blog is of the utmost importance to me. I am a doll collector first then a blogger. LADL will continue to post doll crafts, tutorials, special announcements and interesting topics on 18" dolls, but will not post unauthorized AG copyrighted material. I intend to continue to enjoy this hobby and strive to blog with honesty and integrity. I appreciate American Girl's legal representatives for taking time today in clarifying specifically what infringes intellectual property/proprietary rights.
Lol. This is the very reason why I came on tonight,To see word of Grace. I'm excited to see her collection.
ReplyDeleteThank You for posting this!!
So, what happened last year with Isabelle? Was that like special or something, because it was on Doll diaries too. (That's not an excuse though, I know that.)
ReplyDeleteLast year's Isabelle debacle was similar. This is why I asked AG's legal team for clarification. Even when images are linked to another blog or website, if the original post was of AG stock or copyright images - it's a violation.
DeleteFinally someone who gets it! I've seen so many people who think it's okay to post leaked photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I appreciate that. It wasn't an easy post to write for me, but necessary.
DeleteDoes what you are saying mean that it is not okay to put stock photos of AG products on blogs and websites?
ReplyDeleteYes that is correct.
DeleteAll I have are the answers AG's legal team gave me when I asked them. I'm sure if one googled about copyrights there would be a lot more info available.
DeleteI'd be curious to know just how that website got the original photo in the first place? It's still out there as of this morning.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Chinese website, so I'm assuming someone in the Mattel factory got their hands on the mini doll.
DeleteI understand them but in all honesty it creates more hype for the doll...if I were them I would purposely "leak" pictures
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't really understand why it matters when the pictures are there are AG's website, and if someone wants to show something on their blog, it's obviously an AG stock photo, so, why is it not allowed? It's not like people pretend it is their own picture, or anything.
ReplyDeleteThe images and website are property of AG. They're copyrighted designs produced by their creative dept and marketing team. My husband worked in the music biz for 12 years and owns encoded CDs and a Platinum record with his name on it, given to him as a gift for the work he did with a band. It prevents re-distribution from what the original product (or image) was intended for. In AGs case - the stock photos are for marketing purposes. If you own a released AG item that your purchased, you are free to post the personal images.
DeleteI respect your integrity on this issue, Rhonda. As someone who blogs and runs a Facebook page, I am always struck by how free and easy folks are with the sharing of pics without permission from/ credit to original sources. Just because something is on the internet doesn't mean it's free to use, in any form of media. There are creators who get paid for designing and making things and photographing them, and they have rights to compensation for reproduction.
ReplyDeleteI know that sounds nit picky to some folks, but it is actually the law.
That said, I did see the leaked photo of the mini before it was taken down, and it whetted my appetite for the debut of the real doll. So yes, it can be argued that there's a benefit to AG, but honestly, I am with you in not liking the mini dolls, and if I were to go based JUST on a mini, I wouldn't be nearly as interested in the full size doll.
However, based on what the mini *suggests* about the details of GOTY 2015, I am more eager to see her. I just don't want the mini!
You are such a woman of integrity, Rhonda! I never understood the legalities when it came to leaked photos but when I mentioned them to AG associates they never had anything negative to say so I figured it wasn't a big deal. I've wanted to share pics of things on my blog but I will make sure it's my own photos from now on. One time I asked my local store what the strangest GOTY related thing they'd seen in regards to leaks was. I was told that someone came in with Saige before she was released. Isn't that crazy!? Apparently her parents knew someone that were able to get her early. At the time, many of the associates were shocked. I'm very excited about going to the events surrounding this year's GOTY because she seems really cool and interesting. I look forward to seeing what else you blog about!
ReplyDeleteWow. Bless the parent's hearts.
DeleteI know of a doll blog that had Isabelle early and they were very hedgy about how they came about getting her. They never did say how, but it does make you wonder. I bet it was a similar kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteDear Flo, Just to be clear; our obtaining Isabelle was not "a similar kind of thing" at all. We did not know anyone associated with AG and we most certainly did not steal Isabelle or obtain her illegally. Just because we were private about where and how we came by the doll doesn't mean it was not above board. If we were "hedgy" it was simply because sharing the how or where she came from only served to satisfy peoples' curiosity but it certainly wouldn't have added to Isabelle's story and what she looked like - which is all we wanted to share about on our blog. :) I am sure you didn't mean for your comment to sound negative but it sort of felt that way so I wanted to address it. We love having you and others stop by our blog and comment and would never want anyone to think we obtained Izzy in any fashion other than legitimately. :)
DeleteRegarding copyright; many, many people (especially young people) don't understand copyright and the posting/using of other peoples photos on their websites or blogs. My son is in a film analysis class and his teacher often tells him to "go to the internet and find a clip to use" - what?? I tell him if he does, he has to send an email and ask permission, regardless of what his teacher says. Even when you give credit, it is still an infringement on the original creator's rights to copy and paste their photos/videos/etc onto your website without getting express written permission. We see it done all the time...in fact, Etsy is FULL of people actually using AG logos, dolls' likenesses, fonts and Registered trademarks to make and sell all kinds of things; birthday invites, stickers, water bottle wraps...you name it, they make it and sell it and profit off AG designs. It amazes us every time we see it!
Thank you for commenting. Unfortunately I read a lot of negative comments on social media about last years Isabelle feature on your blog. A lot of people were confused as to how/why the images were posted prior to her release. If you had written permission from AG to post Isabelle that's your business. I simply recall it being a feeding frenzy. There seems to be a lot of doll blog bashing and doll blog competition lately and this makes me sad. I enjoy reading other doll blogs and seeing the creativity of other individuals. Doll collecting makes me happy so it's a treat to read so many great blogs.
DeleteI'm a bit embarrassed to admit that it wasn't until recent leaked images of GOTY 2015 that I realized how ignorant I was re: "copyrights" and I should have been more informed (being a blogger). Which is why I specifically asked AG representatives to elaborate so I could have a better understanding about their product and copyrights.
What you said about copyright (your son's teacher, etsy, etc) is absolutely true. After my research, personal images taken with a personal camera of a personal doll collection (or whatever the subject) belongs to the owner/producer. Sharing watermarked images EVEN with the link without permission violates copyright. I have been guilty of this in the past due to lack of knowledge as stated above. Last year I asked permission from a YouTuber to post video and was granted permission, however the content was of un-released images of Isabelle. I may have gotten permission, but I was still posting copyrighted images without permission from the original producer (in this case AG).
I hope this starts the ball rolling by pointing out this issue to others for the future. Each one has their own free will choice, but I have decided to tread with caution from here on out.
I have been checking daily for images of GOTY 2015 ever since the start of November, because that's how I thought things were done, based on the last two years of experience with GOTY's. I thought it was either part of promoting interest or that AG didn't mind towards the end of the year if 'sneak' images appeared. Wish a representative from AG had made the position clear this year and saved me wasting my time and getting frustrated trying to plan Christmas presents. So thanks Rhonda, for taking the initiative and saving me looking for the remaining weeks!
ReplyDeleteIt won't be long now, she is only days away!! (Can't wait)
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