Whoa- Someone using my photo!

[Sally]

Unfortunately, a lot of sellers use other people's photos to sell their birds, and to me, it is not only unethical, but it should be illegal. It is misrepresenting the merchandise. If the seller says that this is not their actual bird, then at least they are admitting that, but most imply that it is a photo of the birds being sold. If I wanted to buy something from Hoobly or craigslist or other internet sites, I certainly would want to see a photo of the actual birds. You have to wonder why someone wouldn't post a photo of the birds they are selling--are they in poor condition, etc.?

[Finnie]

That's what I always think if people put up really bad photos where you can't see enough to tell what the bird looks like. It looks like they are trying to hide something.

I think in this case we can give him the benefit of a doubt. Now that I got up the courage to write to him, he has written back and taken the photos down like I asked. He was very nice, too, and even thanked me for being polite. Now I feel bad, because I was on here complaining about him. (Not very polite. ) But that was really just complaining about an anonymous stranger who seemed to have a dishonest ad. There are a lot out there like that, so it was a valid assumption.

[Sally]

And with the sheer amount of information out there on the internet, people forget that there are copyright laws. Just because something is on the internet does not make it free for the taking. Many sites have a copyright notice, but it is on the bottom of the page, in small print, and few bother to look for a copyright. And most hobbyists don't want to put a logo or other identifying information right on their photo, which really takes away from the content of the photo. He's not a bad guy, he just didn't realize he was doing anything wrong.

[mayble]

I might contact him, but I'm a little worried that if he's a scammer, he might be phishing for people's email addresses.

Just wanted to say - you could always use a "disposable" or temporary e-mail address rather than your primary one.

[Finnie]

OHH- This cracks me up so bad, I can't help laughing!! Sani has now put up his own photos, and look how he has carefully made sure no one can steal them! :

http://www.hoobly.com/eLlS/owl-finches- ... nnikin.htm

I think that just made my day!

[debbie276]

That is sooooo funny!!

[dfcauley]

He has a nice assortment, but the birds all look a little "rough" to me.... I am not sure their conditions are so great.

[Finnie]

He has a nice assortment, but the birds all look a little "rough" to me.... I am not sure their conditions are so great.

The birds look OK to me. It looks like mostly babies, and they may be starting their molts. Cage wire could use some cleaning, but I've seen ads with worse. All the perches except for one looked decent. I actually recognized one of those perches as being the stem of a fake flower. I have one just like it.

Did anyone spot the society finch in photo 10 that was outside the wire? Looked like he was trying to squeeze back in!