A Reflection on "Original Content" - What if this Photo ... is Yours?

[ErmesT]

A note before you start to read: This post is very long, so i decided to split it in three part:

Chapter 1: A Reflection on “Original Content” - What if this Photo … is Yours? (this post)

Chapter 2: A reflection on Original Content - Rules and more

Chapter 3 - A reflection on Original Content - FAQ

make sure to scroll down to read the complete post

Hi Local Guides.

After reading several posts and questions about “Original Content”, I would like to start a conversation on this topic because it is sometimes misunderstood.

Before talking about rules, which obviously we have, I would like to ask you to change your perspective, entering for a few minutes “in other’s shoes”.

I want to invite you to read this story, which is a true story and, at the end, to tell me “what would you have done in this situation?”

Introduction: The real story of a real friend

A friend of mine is a craftsman. He works with the paper, to build notebooks and games, which he sells in the craft street markets.

He is very good, and proud of his work. He is often invited to fairs set in the Middle Ages, where he shows up with his period costume.

He likes to take photos of his activity, that are usually uploaded on his FaceBook page.

Times ago, walking in the city where the next fair would take place, he saw the posters announcing the event and, with great surprise, he discovered that the photo used was … his photo, which he had uploaded on his profile in FaceBook.

Nobody asked him the permission for using the photo, nor they informed him about that.

They simply “took the photo” as it was “public in Internet”.

If you had been in my friend’s shoes, what would you have done?

The question is open, for you to respond, and to give some tip to him, and to the community.

Back on our shoes

Now is the time to go back on our shoes and think about it, every time we don’t have a good photo and … “maybe on the Internet we find a more beautiful one” or … “an already written text that explains very well what we would like to write”.

My Cover Photo - An example of Good Practices

My cover photo have a different story, and it is perfectly following all the rules of Copyright and Intellectual Property:

• The Newspaper asked me for permission to use the photo
• They mentioned me on the caption

If you are curious about the story behind the photo, you can read: When I was a kid I was Down - Don’t call me disable

Unfortunately, it is not always like this

What if that photo … is mine?

In my opinion this should be the first thought, if someone thinks of taking an image online to use it.Ethical behavior would make many of the points mentioned below not necessary.

We have rules and also laws, to protect Copyright and intellectual property, but if we don’t start to think about us as “the Author”, we may not be able to understand the rules, why the rules are there and what the rules are for.

This post may end now, I believe this may already explain why not use other people’s content.

But if you want to know more, on the next pages you can find more details about:

• Values of the community; Rules of Maps and Connect; A small introduction about Copyright law
• FAQ about Original Content

Oh, here are the hands of my friend

[ErmesT]

Original Content - Rules and more

As we said, we have rules and laws in places to protect the Copyright and intellectual property, but the first rule, for me, is always “What if this Photo …. is Yours ?”

Local Guides Connect

As usual, on Local Guides Connect and in Google Maps there are clear answer and explanation about the rules, but again (as I did it already on other posts) I would like to start from the values, not from the rules.

Values

Values are the reason why, on the first position of the list I am putting again our five core values: “We’re original. We post our own words, photos, and videos that we’ve created just for Connect. We don’t share content that we don’t have the rights to.” Simply this, no more. Rights and Create, are the keywords: the rights of the Author, the rights of the ones who used his time to “Create” a content, a photo, a novel, a paint, a music. His creativity can be public, for us to enjoy, but still be his own creativity, and must be acknowledged.

On our Help Desk there is an extremely clear post about the subject: How do I follow the original content guidelines on Connect?. I don’t need to write the content here. I only want to paste the last sentence:

Posts with images or content used without the copyright holder’s permission will be removed from Connect.

A bit strong, isn’t it? Oh nooo, don’t worry, it’s absolutely appropriate. Are you wondering why?

Rules

Since we are Local Guides, we contribute to Google Maps and in Google Maps we will never publish content that is not originally ours, isn’t it?

We have rules in place for this, about photos and reviews, rules that we can reach with a few tap on our Google Maps App.

Maps User Contributed Content Policy says: “Contributions must be based on real experiences and information. Deliberately fake content, copied or stolen photos, off-topic reviews … are all in violation of our policy. If you see this behavior, please report it.

… We also reserve the right to remove content that violates our policies or terms of service, and to suspend or delete abusive accounts”

The same principle is obviously extended to Connect

Laws

In most countries of the world, “intellectual property” is protected by law and, more importantly, it is protected by default. What does it mean? Basically, it means that everything you post is automatically protected and you can claim your rights if someone uses your content by asking:

• The removal of the stolen content
• The payment for the use of your material

Furthermore, in some countries, the responsibility for the use of stolen material (yes, stolen is the word for uploading and publishing content not created by us without the author’s permission) also involves the owner of the platform. It means that the owner of the platform (Google in this case) can be held responsible for the stolen content.

Conclusion:

What would you do if you were the owner of the platform?

Personally, I would immediately remove the plagiarized content and inform whoever uploaded it of the rules. If the same action were repeated, I would remove access to the platform from those who added the inappropriate content.

The post is part of the series: A Reflection on “Original Content” - What if this Photo … is Yours?

[ErmesT]

FAQ about Original Content

Here below you can find a list of the most common questions about Original Content In Google Maps and Local Guides Connect

Are all the contents published online free to use?

No, they are not. All published content is protected by copyright and by definition must be considered “not usable”, unless otherwise specified.

There are websites that give Photos for free, without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist. Can I use them in Google Maps?

No. “Contributions must be based on real experiences and information. Deliberately fake content, copied or stolen photos, off-topic reviews … are all in violation of our policy. If you see this behavior, please report it.” Source: Maps User Contributed Content Policy

May I use “Royalty Free” photos in Google Maps?

No, see the answer above: “Contributions must be based on real experiences and information”

There are websites that give Photos for free, without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist. Can I use them in Connect?

No. “Only share photos you have taken yourself or received permission to use directly from the copyright owner. Do not download and post photos from Google Search, Google Maps, social media, stock photo websites, or elsewhere on the internet without receiving permission from the owner of that photo”. Source: How do I follow the original content guidelines on Connect?

May I use contents taken from articles on Wikipedia, or other websites?

“Do not pass off someone else’s words as your own. If you are sharing words someone else has written, use quotation marks around the statement and link to the source where you found that information.

It should be clear which words are yours and which are someone else’s.” Source: How do I follow the original content guidelines on Connect?

What can happen to me if I upload “not original content” in Google Maps?

Google Maps “reserve the right to remove content that violates our policies or terms of service, and to suspend or delete abusive accounts” Source: Maps User Contributed Content Policy

What can I do if I uploaded “not original content” in Google Maps?

“Do you think you may have shared photos on Google Maps that go against our guidelines, rules, and policies? Go through your photo contributions, remove any photos and videos that may be considered irrelevant or spam, and help others easily find useful information. Remember if you delete your photos and videos or if they are removed by our team, your Local Guides points for those contributions will also be removed.” Source: What photos should I share on Google Maps?

What can happen to me if I upload “not original content” in Connect?

“Posts with images or content used without the copyright holder’s permission will be removed from Connect”. Source: How do I follow the original content guidelines on Connect?

A Google Moderator will always tag you in the thread, to inform you when this happen.

The post is part of the series: A Reflection on “Original Content” - What if this Photo … is Yours?

[FaridTDF]

Es un gran post @ErmesT , donde explica copy simples palabras las actityudes correctas con el uso de material de otra persona, sea texto, fotos o cualquier cosa.

No siempre se valora el esfuerzo que consumió al dueño del material que usamos sin el debido permiso del que realizo el material que usamos sin su consentimiento.

El caso que ilustrarás el de tu amigo es muy representativo de como toman una foto que parece que no tiene dueño y la usan para cualquier cosa

Saludos Farid.

[davidhyno]

What about dear @ErmesT , clearer than that!

You have exposed all the highlights about the copyright and, if someone doesn’t follow them, it simply means that he stole something that belongs to others.

Even if it is a simple amateur photo, you must always bring respect and the right acknowledgments to the author.

Bravo Ermes, who knows if it will help many LocalGuides to choose wisely the materials to share here on Connect!

Thanks for sharing this with us,
David

[KashifMisidia]

That is a complete guideline for all users & Contributors of Google Maps & Local Guides Connect about original content. And this was really need of time. Can we use your all tutorial posts as reference in our posts when it’s need?

Thank you for another great post.

Shukriya @ErmesT

[ShafiulB]

@ErmesT Very useful guidelines with some practical story. Following you still learning a lot. Thanks again for writing about another post about Original Content. I hope this post will reach everyone and it will work for our reference also.

Keep writing brother!

Happy Guiding!

[ErmesT]

Thank you @FaridTDF

The post also explain, if you scroll down, the rules of the Original Content, but I believe that, if we are honest and respectful, we will follow the rules also without knowing them.

I wanted to create a paradox, inviting the Local Guides to think about “What if the photo is mine?”

Entering on the shoes of the Author, can help to change the point of view

[FaridTDF]

Es una interesante paradoja @ErmesT que nos lleva a reflexionar, sobre esta realidad tan común en el uso de las redes sociales como Instagram, Facebook o Twiter, pero LocalGuidesConnet es un gran oasis, para todos aquellos donde nos gusta admirar y ponderar el contenido de calidad, pero por sobre todas las cosas el contenido original, tanto en texto como en imagen.

Son pocos los lugares donde tantas personas se dediquen a cuidar el jardín (www.localguidesconnect.com) con tanto esmero y dedicación por eso creo que tu post es tan importante, ayuda a los noveles Local Guides que se incorporan a Connect o a Google Maps, conocer que es lo que nos gusta leer y publicar, de una manera precisa en los términos y las formas.

[SaifIS]

@ErmesT This is a good guide. I have seen that people who are new in publishing online often do not know this. They are not aware of the content policy and copyright. This is also a matter of ethics. Because if I steal contents the author may never be able to find. But still, this is a bad practice as you said if we put ourselves in their shoes.

I always try to make it clear what is my content and what is not mine but I have permission to use by giving appropriate credit everywhere like social media, my blogs, and connect.

On Maps I never shared anything that is not mine. Because I know we can only share our own original contents. On Connect I always use the same free image from pixabay with correct attribution for all my question posts.

I again thank you for putting together this long guide.

[Eng_Motiur]

@ErmesT Great post. But till now maximum people search photo on internet, choose good ones, download and start using as own property.

[KishorMali]

Big Thanks… @ErmesT

My all queries are Solved.

You applied more clarification in

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-do-I-follow-the-original-content-guidelines-on-Connect/ba-p/1213174

And Lastly, the 4 combined photos you add it’s have Very great Values &Suggesting What actual Original content.

[Silvi]

Siempre tan claro y preciso @ErmesT muchas veces cuando uno es nuevo no tiene conocimiento de muchas de éstas cosas, las va aprendiendo a veces a fuerza de prueba y error. Gracias por poner una vez más las cosas bien claras sobre la mesa. Me gustó lo de “ponerse en los zapatos del otro” lleva a la reflexión.

Saludos.

Silvi

My contributions

[NyaiNurjanah]

@ErmesT original content on Connect and maps , your post make it clear ,very detailed, , in my past time I do much mistakes in this rules .thank you so much

@KashifMisidia thanks for let me know this post

[Anil6969]

@ErmesT

Thanks for such a nice and details guide line which will be really helpful for LG to know in details about the copy right exhaustively upgrade the guidelines very well articulated with the detail link provided, why don’t you take one meet up session for LG which will give you an additional advantage to explain further the query or FAQ of others LG as so far reading and explaining by you will certainly have live and hands on experience atleast I can assure you as in India we used to have such grooming session in India where lot of participants from others country also joined if you are arranging such hygiene and compliance meet up do let me know or share your link will attend just suggestion

Regards

Anil

@KashifMisidia

[ErmesT]

Thanks for your words @davidhyno .

Yes, I wanted to detail all the reasons why we should keep in mind the respect of the Author rights, so I wrote a lot.

But the basic principle in my opinion is always very simple, and can be clearly understood if we simply reverse our point of view.

It is the same concept that I tried to express on Local Guides in The Mirror - How useful are our contributions? .

We can answer ourselves most of the questions we have, if we simply reverse our point of view.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to see Giorgio Gaber, live at the Treviso theater. From that day “Sogno in due Tempi” has become a reference in my life.

[LuigiZ]

Very good recap @ErmesT of what’s a proprietary photo and the rules (and rights) around it.

It is very clear and should give enough lights on what can be done and what not … in case wasn’t already clear .

Nice example story also about your friend, that’s a difficult topic. I would normally recall the rights of my photo, you never know how it is used … however if the intention was good perhaps allow that but always after notified the infringement because that’s very very important. Btw how it went?

[ErmesT]

Thank you for asking @KashifMisidia , and for your kind words, of course.

Of course you can address the people to this post, if needed.

BTW, this post, on part 2 and 3, is just putting together information that are coming from different documents / rules in Maps and Connects, so it is up to you to evaluate if it is better to address also to this post or only to the “original documents”. This because the official documents are occasionally updated, so it is importante to check them every time you have a doubt

[TravellerG]

Hello dear @ErmesT ,

Hats off to you… You did something beyond my imagination - ‘Pranam’ to you.

An exhaustive effort of plotting Rules, Guidelines (with examples) and more of practical exposure as the Connect Moderator - all put together, this has become a “Reference Manual”, even for the general public.

It might have taken man-days to create this, I am sure - I think this document will be remembered for centuries.

After going through your posts part-1, 2 & 3 in detail, still, some points are to be cleared in my mind - let me try to digest it again - for doubts, I shall approach you.

But being very frank…,

I fully agree that for LGs like us, who respect human value, this will be absolutely useful, (if we are new here).

However, my fear is that whether our real target LGs (the real culprits) who need this counselling, will they have time to read & digest such a long post? - honestly, I doubt…
Hence, most sincerely request you to kindly add a “Part-4 as the GIST” of these content (Few Bullet points, which are easy to read & digest). As a trainer, my feeling is that if we provide a text longer than 3 to 8 Minutes (to read), (for most of the youngsters), right looking at the post, ‘it gets automatically rejected’ in their mind - sorry, I may be wrong too…
Hope, you will consider my suggestion.
I fully appreciate your post and respect it too.

Thanks, with regards
PS:
My special thanks to @KashifMisidia who directly posted the link to me.

[ErmesT]

Thanks for your valuable feedback @TravellerG , I really appreciate it.

Being a Trainer myself, I clearly understand what you mean, about the difficult of reading a so long post, that’s why I decided to create a documents in three part.

The original idea of the post was the “part 1” only, because, as a trainer, I want to educate the people to use their own head to think about what is better to do. Changing the perspective, inviting them to step into the shoes of the content author and asking them how they can feel about finding their own content used by others, is the purpose of this post. Whoever understands this will not need to read anything else.

Later I decided to add “part 2”, to explain that what I write is also reflected in very specific rules, rules that apply not only to Google Maps and Connect, but also legally in the world in which we live. Rules whose violation can lead to unpleasant consequences.
I consider part 2 a technical study, boring to read, but useful for those who want to understand more

For this reason I built a “part 3”, structured in the form of FAQs, in order to recall the rules as a response to the various situations that we can encounter. I decided to use this form instead of a “does and don’t” list, because I think people should first think, and not be guided by a list whose origin they wouldn’t understand. In fact, only the personal understanding of the principles allows human beings to apply them even in situations that may not be mentioned in a list.

Yes, preparing this document was a job that took many days, but it was something easy to write, because I was talking about things that I know very well, so the longest time was to organize them in an orderly way, and to think about which images to use

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, but only now I decided to write, due to the many posts that are removed every day, and above all from the many Local Guides that are removed from the program.

Happy to reply to more questions, feel free to take your time