Friday, January 13, 2012
3 Almost Foolproof Ways to Spot a Knockoff Site
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Unbelievable, really...
Brit designers make Swedish site pull unlicensed pictures
Thursday, 12 January 2012
British latex designers have persuaded a newly launched online retailer in Sweden to take down scores of pirated images it was using to promote its business.
As the name Ms-Celebrity.com suggests, the Swedish site focuses on offering latex outfits as worn by the numerous celebrities that, until yesterday, were featured on the site. The USP evidently being that, if you’re an admirer of, say Katy Perry, here’s your chance to own a custom-made latex outfit just like she wears.
Robin Archer, owner/designer at House of Harlot, e-mailed the Gothenburg-based company on Tuesday complaining about its unlicensed use of numerous copyright images and copyright designs belonging to House of Harlot, and threatening legal action if they were not removed.
Yesterday Robin received an initial response from the website owner, Matthias Nyberg, explaining that the images in question were found by browsing Google Images and did not carry any information about the original manufacturers of the garments depicted.
Nyberg immediately offered to take down any images Archer owned the rights to, along with those of any other copyright owner who contacted him. He claimed that the images on the site were “only meant to give our customers a better idea of what is possible to create”. He also asserted that the garments he sold were not “perfect” copies and that they were, in fact “perfectly legal replicas”. He went on to state that he believed it was “practically impossible to copyright a piece of clothing”.
In a reply circulated to a number of other well-known designers and members of the fetish media, Archer went to some lengths to explain to Mr Nyberg why he was “completely mistaken” about the intellectual property rights of garment design, and outlined the changes in European law that now make it much easier for designers to legally pursue those who copy their work.
He added that he could identify the origin of nearly all the designs offered on Ms-Celebrity.com and was in the process of informing all the original designers and manufacturers, as well as various celebrities he knew whose images were also being used without licence.
Yesterday (Wednesday) other designers took up Archer’s suggestion to look at the Swedish site, and as a result, among those also soon demanding removal of images was Atsuko Kudo — who found half a dozen images of her designs there. The net result of all this British effort was that by Wednesday evening, every single latex garment image had vanished from inside the site, leaving a string of “not found” URLs between the home page and the ordering info section.
In an e-mail the same evening to everyone originally copied in by Robin, Matthias Nyberg confirmed he had removed all unlicensed images, while reiterating that any breach of copyright was unintended. He explained that he had been in the fetish scene for 20 years, knew who most of the designers were and was a big fan of their work.
He added: “It was never our intention to hurt your business in any way. Nor was it our intention to pass off any of your designs as ours. I hope that you will not try to slander us because of this incident.” If by this he means “please don’t tell anyone what we did”, we at The Fetishistas think it’s rather important that people know when and where copyright breaches are occurring, and that anyone tempted to follow a similar path understands the potential consequences under European law.
Having started out doing the wrong thing, Mr Nyberg has now done the right thing, and we commend him for that, and indeed for the speed with which he acted when he received the designers’ complaints. But we can’t help wondering: what will he do now for product pictures?
I find it hard to believe that someone that 'had been in the fetish scene for 20 years' wouldn't have some idea how copyright or the Internet works. A 'kinda looks like this' depiction of their creations doesn't scream professionalism or business savvy either. At least he took them down when he was fingered. One only hopes he isn't just shilling Chinese knockoffs because that would just make this situation twice as sad. It's must be frustrating for the fetish design houses like House of Harlot and designers like Kudo to have to spend inordinate amounts of their time protecting their artistic property from thieves that claim it as their own on the Internet, when they could be actually producing the newest, greatest latex design. And of course, this isn't just limited to latex fashion, but to the entire fashion industry...
Thursday, 12 January 2012
British latex designers have persuaded a newly launched online retailer in Sweden to take down scores of pirated images it was using to promote its business.
As the name Ms-Celebrity.com suggests, the Swedish site focuses on offering latex outfits as worn by the numerous celebrities that, until yesterday, were featured on the site. The USP evidently being that, if you’re an admirer of, say Katy Perry, here’s your chance to own a custom-made latex outfit just like she wears.
Robin Archer, owner/designer at House of Harlot, e-mailed the Gothenburg-based company on Tuesday complaining about its unlicensed use of numerous copyright images and copyright designs belonging to House of Harlot, and threatening legal action if they were not removed.
Yesterday Robin received an initial response from the website owner, Matthias Nyberg, explaining that the images in question were found by browsing Google Images and did not carry any information about the original manufacturers of the garments depicted.
Nyberg immediately offered to take down any images Archer owned the rights to, along with those of any other copyright owner who contacted him. He claimed that the images on the site were “only meant to give our customers a better idea of what is possible to create”. He also asserted that the garments he sold were not “perfect” copies and that they were, in fact “perfectly legal replicas”. He went on to state that he believed it was “practically impossible to copyright a piece of clothing”.
In a reply circulated to a number of other well-known designers and members of the fetish media, Archer went to some lengths to explain to Mr Nyberg why he was “completely mistaken” about the intellectual property rights of garment design, and outlined the changes in European law that now make it much easier for designers to legally pursue those who copy their work.
He added that he could identify the origin of nearly all the designs offered on Ms-Celebrity.com and was in the process of informing all the original designers and manufacturers, as well as various celebrities he knew whose images were also being used without licence.
Yesterday (Wednesday) other designers took up Archer’s suggestion to look at the Swedish site, and as a result, among those also soon demanding removal of images was Atsuko Kudo — who found half a dozen images of her designs there. The net result of all this British effort was that by Wednesday evening, every single latex garment image had vanished from inside the site, leaving a string of “not found” URLs between the home page and the ordering info section.
In an e-mail the same evening to everyone originally copied in by Robin, Matthias Nyberg confirmed he had removed all unlicensed images, while reiterating that any breach of copyright was unintended. He explained that he had been in the fetish scene for 20 years, knew who most of the designers were and was a big fan of their work.
He added: “It was never our intention to hurt your business in any way. Nor was it our intention to pass off any of your designs as ours. I hope that you will not try to slander us because of this incident.” If by this he means “please don’t tell anyone what we did”, we at The Fetishistas think it’s rather important that people know when and where copyright breaches are occurring, and that anyone tempted to follow a similar path understands the potential consequences under European law.
Having started out doing the wrong thing, Mr Nyberg has now done the right thing, and we commend him for that, and indeed for the speed with which he acted when he received the designers’ complaints. But we can’t help wondering: what will he do now for product pictures?
I find it hard to believe that someone that 'had been in the fetish scene for 20 years' wouldn't have some idea how copyright or the Internet works. A 'kinda looks like this' depiction of their creations doesn't scream professionalism or business savvy either. At least he took them down when he was fingered. One only hopes he isn't just shilling Chinese knockoffs because that would just make this situation twice as sad. It's must be frustrating for the fetish design houses like House of Harlot and designers like Kudo to have to spend inordinate amounts of their time protecting their artistic property from thieves that claim it as their own on the Internet, when they could be actually producing the newest, greatest latex design. And of course, this isn't just limited to latex fashion, but to the entire fashion industry...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
If the first two weeks are any indication...
...I'm going to have one hell of a sexy 2012!
It all started after the madness that was New Year's and my birthday. I organized a play party at my place on the 3rd with Tuchus, Cumpigcub and Pup Growlie with the vac-coffin, sleepsack and sling. I wanted to take the advantage of the fact Cumpigcub was visiting Tuchus for the holidays and was heading back to the States on Thursday. We haven't played as a group since Portland last spring!
Tuchus brought over his electro gear and we had a great night subverting the subs and exchanging fists in asses. Bondage, electro, breath control, fucking and fisting; it was great fun!
This weekend was the big 'official' birthday party ("Capricornucopia"). Four of us were turning 40 or 50, so we had a open party in the hospitality room of one of the guys' condo, then at 11 the entire party moved upstairs to the townhouse. It was one of the best parties I've ever been to (maybe because it was important to me?!?!). Around 2pm things got a little crazy and cocks started flying.
The guys were getting a bit randy on the main floor and there were already naked men in the hot tub, so all that was needed was a spark to ignite things. My friend D was snapping off my codpiece/asspiece cover on my pants, so I was getting exposed at regular intervals. Another friend of ours, M is 6'10" and proportionate down below. Mr. P loves nothing more than the challenge of sucking huge cock, so once that thing was unfurled, he was on it like a fat kid on a Smartie, as were about six other guys. I wanted to hit the hot tub so off I went.
I ended up in the hot tub for a great ass-eating session with four other guys while Mr. P and the rest of our crew was busy downstairs chomping on some big members. We had lots of stories to share, refresh our memories about and laugh about on Sunday, for sure! :)
I love being 40; it's getting to the point that I don't give a crap what people think of me. I'm kind of known as the rubber guy in these parts anyways, there was nothing I wanted more than to wear rubber at my birthday party, so I did!
This weekend is the official Vancouver poster unveiling of the Rubbout 21 poster. We are planning an entire entertaining performance. If you're in town this weekend, come and check it out!
The following weekend, I have been invited down to Seattle again to do an education session on rubber and the rubber community. This ended up being a lot of fun last year, plus it's a great opportunity to promote Rubbout and Mr. West Coast Rubber, so I'm going!
It all started after the madness that was New Year's and my birthday. I organized a play party at my place on the 3rd with Tuchus, Cumpigcub and Pup Growlie with the vac-coffin, sleepsack and sling. I wanted to take the advantage of the fact Cumpigcub was visiting Tuchus for the holidays and was heading back to the States on Thursday. We haven't played as a group since Portland last spring!
Tuchus brought over his electro gear and we had a great night subverting the subs and exchanging fists in asses. Bondage, electro, breath control, fucking and fisting; it was great fun!
I ended up in the hot tub for a great ass-eating session with four other guys while Mr. P and the rest of our crew was busy downstairs chomping on some big members. We had lots of stories to share, refresh our memories about and laugh about on Sunday, for sure! :)
I love being 40; it's getting to the point that I don't give a crap what people think of me. I'm kind of known as the rubber guy in these parts anyways, there was nothing I wanted more than to wear rubber at my birthday party, so I did!
The following weekend, I have been invited down to Seattle again to do an education session on rubber and the rubber community. This ended up being a lot of fun last year, plus it's a great opportunity to promote Rubbout and Mr. West Coast Rubber, so I'm going!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Must...have...this...
If there's any inspiration to commission another custom-designed catsuit, this is it. Anyone know who the designer or owner of this suit is? I gotta thank Ruff for pointing this one out. The black and black transparent put together in this suit in this style is to die for.
...the owner ain't too shabby either ;)
Jeff, are you paying attention? LOL ;)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Do Not Adjust Your Refresh Rate
Another from spleensticker. Warning: this one triggers convulsions! The latex designs are nice though. The bronze suit looks like face-entry.
Sly Hands
I want to give a shout out to Sly Hands, who was sashed Mr. International Rubber 2012 in Chicago in November. He is an amazing guy, very sexy, very affable, and very funny! If you get a chance, check out his site at SlyHands.com.
Monday, January 2, 2012
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