Selected for inclusion in eBook?
I just got an email saying that one of my instructables (which one?) was selected for inclusion in an eBook. Is this legit? Can someone take our instructables, resell them, and make money off of our ideas? Or are the eBooks for free? If they are not free, then where is my cut?
It appears to be an automatic opt-in deal, because is says, "If you don't want to be included for any reason, please write back and let us know by Dec. 9. "
Am I being overly cautious? Has anyone seen this offer before? Or am I the last one to know?
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If they are not distributing the eBook for free, then they are breaking the terms of the licence under which you published your project.
Can you post a link or email address for others to see? (Not your email, theirs).
Can you post a link or email address for others to see? (Not your email, theirs).
There's an Instructables eBook happening?
Details, man, give us details!
Details, man, give us details!
mmm, I'm not sure I'm supposed to talk about it. And I just got the same email he did.
Dec 5, 2010. 9:24 AMhammer9876 (author)
says:
What is so secret about it that "I'm not sure I'm supposed to talk about it. And I just got the same email he did." ?
I never said it was secret, I said I didn't know if I could talk about it.
Dec 5, 2010. 8:09 PMhammer9876 (author)
says:
No one told me not to talk about it. No one told me it was secret. Did some one tell you it was super secret, hush, hush, don't tell a soul, or mention it in the forums on pain of banishment?
If all my Instructables are now "None (All Rights Reserved)" and then someone tries to sell them, do I get to sue? For damages, pain, and suffering? How about for breech of contract?
If all my Instructables are now "None (All Rights Reserved)" and then someone tries to sell them, do I get to sue? For damages, pain, and suffering? How about for breech of contract?
Dec 7, 2010. 4:25 AMscraptopower
says:
Instructables makes money from all of our work every single day, from advertising on the sites, sponsorship and the like. This is no different. It doesn't matter :)
. You really need to read the TOS. You gave him the right to use your material in any way he wishes, when you posted your material.
7d - "With respect to Content you submit or make available for inclusion on publicly accessible areas of Instructables, you grant Instructables the world-wide, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sublicensable license to use, distribute, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, publicly perform and publicly display such Content solely for the purposes of providing and promoting Instructables."
.
.
. But let's assume that 7d doesn't apply:
.
> do I get to sue?
. If you want to (you can sue anybody for just about anything), but what what kind of judgment are you expecting to get? What value do you think the courts would place on your property?
.
.
> For damages, pain, and suffering?
. Exactly how have you been damaged? Have/will you lose money? Has your reputation been smeared?
. ROFLMAO. What pain and suffering?
.
.
> How about for breech of contract?
. Once again, what what kind of judgment are you expecting to get? Since nothing of value has been promised or has changed hands, what do you predict the value of a breech of contract judgment will be?
7d - "With respect to Content you submit or make available for inclusion on publicly accessible areas of Instructables, you grant Instructables the world-wide, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sublicensable license to use, distribute, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, publicly perform and publicly display such Content solely for the purposes of providing and promoting Instructables."
.
.
. But let's assume that 7d doesn't apply:
.
> do I get to sue?
. If you want to (you can sue anybody for just about anything), but what what kind of judgment are you expecting to get? What value do you think the courts would place on your property?
.
.
> For damages, pain, and suffering?
. Exactly how have you been damaged? Have/will you lose money? Has your reputation been smeared?
. ROFLMAO. What pain and suffering?
.
.
> How about for breech of contract?
. Once again, what what kind of judgment are you expecting to get? Since nothing of value has been promised or has changed hands, what do you predict the value of a breech of contract judgment will be?
Also, I think the word he's looking for is "breach". "Breech" refers to a type of birth, or also to pants.
Both usages rooted, of course, in the word's original meaning of the buttocks or rear lower body.
Ain't this site great? I love the pro bono advice from outhouse lawyers.
You've become unpleasant, interaction terminated.
Dec 6, 2010. 8:37 AMhammer9876 (author)
says:
Oh, yes. I really like the helpful replies. Glad you are gone, tool. And, I am with you caitlinsdad.
One point, since some people missed it: Doesn't it concern ANYONE out there that this is an opt-out only deal?
Also, no where in the email I got does it say that the person is from Instructables. I clicked on her name and no where on that page does she say that she works for Instructables. There is a line that says she is the "Editor of the Food and Living channels." (For whom? GoodHousekeeping?) So, how am I to know who this person is? Is it someone who is trying to make money off of my ideas? (Don't laugh. Someone was selling stuff on ebay using my photos. Just call me leery of offers to sell my ideas.)
So I finally click on her blog which is OUTSIDE of Instructable and she says that she works "for instructables.com under the alias scoochmaroo." That would have been good to know in the first message.
One point, since some people missed it: Doesn't it concern ANYONE out there that this is an opt-out only deal?
Also, no where in the email I got does it say that the person is from Instructables. I clicked on her name and no where on that page does she say that she works for Instructables. There is a line that says she is the "Editor of the Food and Living channels." (For whom? GoodHousekeeping?) So, how am I to know who this person is? Is it someone who is trying to make money off of my ideas? (Don't laugh. Someone was selling stuff on ebay using my photos. Just call me leery of offers to sell my ideas.)
So I finally click on her blog which is OUTSIDE of Instructable and she says that she works "for instructables.com under the alias scoochmaroo." That would have been good to know in the first message.
As has been pointed out several times, read the ToS.
Technically, they don't have to ask you at all.
Technically, they don't have to ask you at all.
LOL, birds.
Ah, okay, it's crying - I thought it was amazement that *Lira* got asked...
Ah, okay, it's crying - I thought it was amazement that *Lira* got asked...
It was the nearest I could think of to a "blubbering child" emoticon.
Ah well, I suppose I have to publish something noteworthy then?
nah, just jot down some notes on the back of an envelope, maybe when watching the rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air at some harbor or maybe on your way to some field in the middle of PA.
They have me down for my leather ible :D
Personally, I am quite chipper about them using my stuff and making a buck or two off of it. I've gotten a lot from this site and I don't mind them asking me to do my bit to keep 'em going. In fact I am honored.
Personally, I am quite chipper about them using my stuff and making a buck or two off of it. I've gotten a lot from this site and I don't mind them asking me to do my bit to keep 'em going. In fact I am honored.
apparently, there are more than one ebook, because I got an email and hammers project is not in it.
I have been... hearing things. I may have to start a dedicated topic.
Those are just the voices in your head, Kiteman. Don't pay attention to them.
Kill the YECs. Kill the YECs.
Kill the YECs. Kill the YECs.
LOL, Kitewife has a t-shirt that says "The Rice Crispies told me to do it!"
I have one (that I am NOT allowed to wear....) that says I Listen to The voices in my Wife's Head
For pro members they are free:
Hey there,
Instructables is trying something new! We're turning some of our guides into eBooks that will be available for kindle and iBooks readers. They'll also be free to any Instructables pro member through the site. This means we'll be getting your awesome projects out to a new audience and even more people to share.
One of your Instructables was chosen for a collection of awesomely geeky gift projects. If for some reason you would rather not be included just PM me and let me know.
Congratulations again on being a part of the ongoing improvements at Instructables and thank you for sharing your project!
Best,
Jason
Well, it depends on which project of his they selected, 3 are "public domain", one "cc"
Dec 7, 2010. 3:50 AMscraptopower
says:
"Congratulations!
Hey there,
Instructables is trying something new! We're turning some of our guides into eBooks that will be available for kindle and iBooks readers. They'll also be free to any Instructables pro member through the site. This means we'll be getting your awesome projects out to a new audience and even more people to share.
One of your Instructables was chosen for a collection of projects designed to help people get off the grid. If for some reason you would rather not be included just PM me and let me know.
Congratulations again on being a part of the ongoing improvements at Instructables and thank you for sharing your project!
Best,
Jason"
I don't think much of the auto opt in - but it is in the TOS. So technically they don't have to ask.... I'm pleased they think my writing is worthy of being sold though!.
Hey there,
Instructables is trying something new! We're turning some of our guides into eBooks that will be available for kindle and iBooks readers. They'll also be free to any Instructables pro member through the site. This means we'll be getting your awesome projects out to a new audience and even more people to share.
One of your Instructables was chosen for a collection of projects designed to help people get off the grid. If for some reason you would rather not be included just PM me and let me know.
Congratulations again on being a part of the ongoing improvements at Instructables and thank you for sharing your project!
Best,
Jason"
I don't think much of the auto opt in - but it is in the TOS. So technically they don't have to ask.... I'm pleased they think my writing is worthy of being sold though!.
Me too. I'm curious about how this ebook is going to be distributed/marketed. Anybody know?
Dec 5, 2010. 9:21 AMhammer9876 (author)
says:
The thing that bothers me most is the automatic opt-in clause. If I was on vacation or in the hospital and didn't check my email regularly, my instructable would be part of the eBook without my permission. How would anyone feel if this was the way spam worked?
That and if there was any money involved, I want my cut!
Where do I find how to change the license I publish under? If I remember correctly, it was way too complicated so I left it at the default.
That and if there was any money involved, I want my cut!
Where do I find how to change the license I publish under? If I remember correctly, it was way too complicated so I left it at the default.
As has already been pointed out, you gave permission the moment you joined, as described quite clearly in section 7d of the Terms of Service. If you didn't bother to read them, that's your problem.
. If you would read the TOC, you would realize that his comment was not an opinion, but was, instead, fact.
Dec 5, 2010. 8:41 AMhammer9876 (author)
says:
Hey, if it is legit, I want my cut of the profits, if any.
Yeah, it's legit. I'm sure the TOS probably covers their use of your project for other media. if you don't like it, opt out.
Or, be more careful under which license you publish under.
Or, be more careful under which license you publish under.
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