Help, someone posted my short, what do I do?

Tim Joy

Tim Joy

Veteran
I'm baffled. Some of you might have seen my Lossfest short 'Again to Return' here a few months ago....well. I have the movie on my website, and as I was googling myself yesterday, oops, what a loser thing to admit- I found someones blog where they posted the film, downloadable, with their own poster they made from some stills I used in the thread here, and their own logline. All of this was done without ever asking me.

What's up with that?
I haven't figured out how to contact them yet, but I see that they are even using the mov file off my server so they're using my bandwidth!!!

They give full credits and links to my site, so it's not like they're stealing it or trying to pass off as their own, but this has been going on since June 2. In a way, I'm flattered, but in another, I'm angry that they didn't bother to ask me before posting such an extensive post.

Here's the link. I hesitate to post this because it will give them more traffic, but in the effort to help me figure this out-

http://dekku.nofatclips.com/2009/06/tim-joy-again-to-return.html

It's also through a sister blog where they have either re-encoded the movie as an mp4 or renamed the file and it is hosted and downloadable on their server.

What do I do?

Is this connected to dvxuser? Part of the agreement you sign when you allow them to use the film?

Any experience, help, or advice with this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Might be worth asking around your crew in case someone there posted it to help with publicity.

Also, talking with a lawyer might not be inappropriate if they have actually taken your materials and used them without your permission.


Or simply replace the files on your server that they are hotlinking to - effectively calling themselves out on their own website.
Hotlinking = editorial control given to the original host.

- Mikko
 
Nearest I can figure, they're getting paid every time someone downloads your film. Mikko's right -- best thing to do in the short term is to change your link, and then you can decide if you want to explore other options.
 
OK, Thanks guys. Maybe I should just stick to vimeo embedded clips from now on- with downloading disabled. I will change the links for now, or replace it with a very RUDE video, ha ha.

They have a LOT of other films on there too so check your stuff. A new one every day or two.
 
if they are getting paid for it OR taking credit for it, is the only time you can do something for it. but it look like they don't and also they have other work there too... other wise its free publicity.
 
Replace the files with a new movie. Hard core bestiality porn, or perhaps a message from you.
 
Here's one I did for someone a while back who felt it was OK to hotlink a photo from my website into his blog.
KATHshooter.jpg


He's reshuffled his blog, and it appears removed the image from the article which can now be found here: http://www.briansolis.com/2007/05/video-killed-video-news-release-star/

He does have the gaul to thank me for what he stole though.
Also, thank you to videographer Mikko Wilson for the artwork used in the original post.
Click to expand...
:huh: :angry:

- Mikko
 
Tim, I think it depends on what your goal is with this film. If you just want to use the film for exposure and show people what you do, I would contact that site and offer conditions for them keeping it up there, like no downloads.

Yeah, it's a bummer they did not ask first and they should have, but they clearly just thought it was work worth sharing. You might be getting a lot of new audience out of it that you wouldn't have had before. And that's not worth nothing.

So I would determine what you want out of the film before making any moves.
 
I agree with Mark. If he were trying to profit from or claim credit for your work, it would be one thing... but it seems like he is genuinely trying to promote your work and give you credit for it. Plus, the site doesn't appear to be questionable or objectionable in any way. I wouldn't get too bent out of shape over it.

The hotlinking does suck. I would contact him explaining the situation, then post it to Vimeo and provide a link or something along those lines so your bandwidth isn't killed.
 
I once had someone use one of my pictures on their website without permission. I did a Who Is search to find out who their hosting company was, as they wouldn't answer my e-mails, and e-mailed the hosting company direct, giving them everything they needed, including the link. They then contacted their client and told them to take it down and disabled their website until they did - it is usually against the TOS to host content without permission, and once the hosting company has been informed of the infringement, are obligated to rectify the situation. Worked for me, so why not try.
 
Good points.

I guess I have to figure out what to do with this thing. That's where I venture into the unknown. It seems like a lot of work and $$ to pimp it out. I'd rather be spending time on the next project. :thumbup:

But what situation should you keep it off the net? Could it potentially hurt you if your short has been downloadable/ spread over the net, like for entering festivals/ contests/ sales outlets/ and their rules? I've noticed that some people don't have their shorts up even for viewing, let alone download. Is that why?

If there aren't some guidelines on here dvxuser about, "..so I made my short. Now what?" There should be. :dankk2:
 
Many fests are bitchy about it but most fests aren't even worth your time anyway. You might getorw notice on the web. But again just have to figure out what you want from it.
 
Hahahaha No this isn't a bad thing, i can't beleive non of you know about no fat clips.com

this guy runs his own blog and finds really good shorts and films to put on there. He is like the biggest video blog out there. You should be honored you're on it! I was on there once. It is nothing but good publicity and that's all it is! see the one he did of a video i did forever ago.

http://dekku.nofatclips.com/2008/09/killers-sweet-talk.html

But what makes you think he's taking up your badwidth, loads the quicktime files onto is own server..

Also here's his official nofatclips vimeo account!
http://vimeo.com/nofatclips


But yeah, all it is is publicity... :) congratulations
 
Dillon, it depends on the goal of the OP. Just because someone posts it, doesn't mean it's "Good Publicity". If he is shopping it around, and the potential buyer sees it elsewhere, he might just pass just because of that "Ive already seen something like it"

This is intellectual property. It belongs to the OP. He has a say in where it is shown. Period. Taking something that is not yours and trying to gain from it is wrong. Does Nofat whatever have advertising on their site? Does he have income coming in because of the site? If so, he is not playing by the rules.
 
Hey Tim, You could always just do movies that suck, that way you won't have that problem.:grin:


.....and leave a slot open on the dvxfest top tier for the rest of us.:Drogar-Dum(DBG):
 
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