Internet Theft

Internet theft can happen in many ways. No matter if someone is using something you wrote in a blog or using your web designs without your permission. One of the most common myths is that you cannot do anything if you put something online and someone uses it without your permission. The fact is that is stealing and a violation of copyright laws.

Anything put on the Internet is considered “published” therefore even if you do not file for copyrights you are still covered under copyright laws. Just cause something is online does not make it what many people would consider “public domain”. Items that are public domain on the Internet are those that the creator has given up all rights to or has lost all rights to. You can read more about it at http://www.legal-database.com/copyright-laws-internet-law.htm

There are ways to handle it when someone uses your material. However the process may take a little work. Here are a few recommendations on handling such a situation.

Make notes on the original material (date uploaded to the net, topic, full copy of the original material that was reused)
Make notes on the person (service) using your material without your permission (web address where your material is displayed, person (company) name, address, contact information (mailing, e-mail, phone, etc.)
Contact the party using your material, and in a nice way let them know that it is your material and you want it removed from their use at once.
Let them know that you have all the original records of the material (upload date, creation date, research information for the creation, etc.). However do not provide the details.
If they do not remove your work, contact them a second time. Notify them that it is your second attempt to correct the situation and if not corrected within 7 days, you will contact a lawyer.
If no results within the 7-day period, contact a copyright lawyer.
Make all your contacts via. E-mail, fax or certified mail and keep all records and copies of your attempts to solve the issue.
Most of all do not get excited. Deal with the whole thing in a calm and rational manner. That is the only way to get results.

Written by A. Wallace

Cheney’s got a gun

Cheney’s “hunting accident” where he shot his friend (a 73 year old lawyer) in the face has become the focus of jokes for comedians throughout our nation, the ridicule of the media and in my view a disgrace to you government. It is a known fact that hunting accidents happen, but there are procedures that should be followed (most of which are required by law).

When any member of our government is involved in something that requires legal procedures, they should (as a role model) be required to follow those procedures and not evade the public or the laws due to their political position.

Chaney not only was hunting without proper licenses he never took responsibility for his actions. Standard procedures for anyone involved in an accident or conflict involving a firearm was not followed. Procedures that would have been followed if it was me or you would have been (but not limited to) confiscation all firearms by the police until an investigation was conducted and complete, legal reproduction for the fact that a person was shot while hunting in an illegal manner (not having proper licenses) and courts involvement in the case due to the nature of the injuries and how the incident took place.

Cheney simply received a fine for not having a proper license. Cheney’s failing to publicly acknowledge the situation for days afterwards (as a political leader) was a disgrace. If he is permitted to hide out for days on an issue like this, what else is he not talking about? If the laws that apply to you and I do not apply to him as Vice President, how is that teaching the public to respect the law?

Between all the issues with Bush and now this with Cheney, where is our government heading? Is our government official’s above the laws that makes this country function? Where does it end? As the people of the United States, these questions can only be answered by us and through our actions. Don’t sit back and allow things to continue in this manner, start writing your senators, council members assembly members, etc. Get your voice heard, take a stand and make a difference.

Written by A. Wallace

Olympic highlights worth noting;

With the Olympics all over the news, you have already heard all there is to say, however there are three things that I would like to comment on.

With the gold metal in sight America’s Lindsey Jacobellis holding a commanding lead in the women's snowboard cross takes a fall. As dramatic as it must have been to have the gold in sight and see her opponent slide by and take it, she still got up and completed the competition to take the silver. With a spirit like that she is a Gold metal winner in the hearts of Americans all over.

In an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today show Lindsey Kildow says what will become the joke line of many comedians “My butt really hurts”. Though said with a smile and a receiving a little jest from Matt Lauer, she continues the interview. After her fall that resulted in being transported to the hospital by helicopter, Kildow went on to compete the following day. Though still nervous about going through the part of the course that had tripped her up on Monday and still in pain from the fall, she went on to say "Even though I'm not 100 percent, I have to take what I have and go with it." Her commitment is something that could only be noted as the heart of the American Spirit. Kildow finished her one run in 1 minute, 57.78 seconds, which tied her for eighth place among 45 skiers. Her eighth place along with her commitment and competing with injuries puts her in First place in my book.

My last comment is that of a personal point of view. To make it to the Olympics and represent our country in front of the world takes a lot of training and commitment. Those who do so and make it are the best of our best, and it is with that thought in mind that all of our Olympic athletes are winners no matter what place they come in.

Written by A. Wallace

What really is News?

In a commentary on Today in New York this morning it was said "News is what someone wants to suppress, everything else is just advertising"

In Webster News is defined as;
1 a : a report of recent events b : previously unknown information
2 a : material reported in a newspaper or news periodical or on a newscast b : matter that is newsworthy

When newspapers and news shows go for what will sell, is that really news?

In my view, it is the job of any service that chooses to distribute the news to report on what people need to know, not what will sell. It is their responsibility to research all facts and present both sides, giving the public all information and allowing the public to decide for their selves which point of view to take. Most of all, news in any form should not take sides on any issue. To do so is not reporting on a bias level and is doing an injustice to its followers.

What is your opinion? Feel free to e-mail us your thoughts.

Written by A. Wallace

We have started a mailing list

On the left is a link to join our mailing list. There will also be contest through the mailing list.

So if you would like to be notified when this site is updated each week, please join.

First contest will be offered once we reach 25 members. I will be giving away a FREE 4 page basic web site package through YourDesign2.com (the basic package offered through YourDesign2.com for $99.00). The winner will be picked at random once the mailing list hits 200 members.

Note:
The mailing list will send out 1 e-mail a week to let its members know of updates to Yourdesign2.com, What to do in New York, Cool Collectables, The Weekly News and Weekly Public Safety Tips. There will be no spaming from the list or advertisements from outside services.

So feel free to join the list and have your friends join too.

Thanks,
A. Wallace