Frank Caico's Blog

Some dance studio by the name of Viva Dance Studio decided to use one of my best photos from the Rochester Steven & Virginie '05 workshop to promote their upcoming S & V workshop.   They didn't bother to ask me for permission, they didn't even link back to the web page where they found my picture.  And on top of it, they reproduced the image in print to use on their flyers!  (not to mention the fact that they made it look awful to boot).  You can see what their lousy reproduction of my picture turned out like Here.

This is the first time I've found someone blatantly ripping off my stuff and it bothers me a little bit.  Especially since I probably would have granted them permission if they had just asked.  It also makes me mad that this isn't some not-for-profit dance group - its a commercial dance studio.

I sent them this letter:

To Viva Dance Studio:

Its come to my attention that you are using one of my photographs in your advertising for the Steven & Virginie workshop without any permission from me. The image I am speaking of is this one:

This is essentially stealing and I am not happy that you did it without making the slightest overture of asking my permission. I gave Steven & virgine permission to use my pictures on THEIR website, but I gave no such permission to anyone else. I retain all rights to my images and they have not been marked as "creative commons" or any other rights usable without my explicit permission.

I sell my own images, and I'm sure my customers wouldn't appreciate the fact that artwork they have purchased as limited is being reproduced in unlicensed, uncontrolled prints.

I would ask that you add a credit on your website indicating that the picture was taken by me; Frank Caico and point a link back to the original web page you found it at. If you don't comply with that request, then I would ask that you remove the image from your website and discontinue its use altogether.

Thank you for your compliance in this matter.

Frank Caico

I think I'm being more than generous here.  Lets see if these guys honor my wishes.

This arm injury is really getting me down. Not only has it impacted my woodworking and whatever else I can get done around the house, its also prevented me from going dancing.   What with Steven and Virginie coming to town this weekend, I am going to have to miss it!  I've only missed one of their workshops since I started dancing - and that was due to a back injury. 

Turning 39 *and* getting injured in this way really is making me feel my age and its quite depressing. 

Maybe I'll go to some of the workshops and take pictures (if Richard and Esther will let me do that without charging me.