I think that most of the individuals who take things from others' sites
are just caught up in some kind of "Netfever". On the Internet, because
of the annonymity I'm sure, people do things that in reality they would
not do.
Just remember that the sites you visit are owned by people
These people are real, just like you.
There are multitudes of pages devoted to explaining copyright.
That is the legal reason why individuals have the right to expect credit
for their work. But how about the moral one? Would you walk into my home,
admire my Lladro statue and then decide to take it when you leave? Absolutely
not. I am certain that for most of you who are reading this, that action
is abhorable not merely because you could go to prison, but mainly because
you are morally sound and would never even think of taking something of
another. So why take something from someones website?
What you should know as well, is that these artists spend
long hours working on their art. Some they make to adorn their sites alone.
That is only fair. Some they make to adorn your site, and ask only for credit
and a link. That is fair too. The reasons they choose to share them are
insignificant compared to the fact that they choose to do so and perhaps
make your site a much more lovely and interesting place to visit. I know
that you are not so insecure as to need to receive praise by taking credit
for someone elses work.
How do you feel about your own site? No matter what degree
of development your site has reached, isn't it just a wonderful place to
go? Your creation; don't you just love being there? Aren't you proud? Imagine
then, how you would feel if, posted at your site (that you deeply love)
you placed something you felt was wonderful. Something you had made. Your
creation or something you are using that just fits your site perfectly.
One day while wandering around the net you came across a site that had your
stuff. Not only had they used something of yours, but nowhere was there
a mention that you were actually the person who had created, designed or
thought of it. How do you suppose you'd feel?
I can only ask
you to think, and to feel what it would be like if someone took something
precious of yours.
Caveat to remember: What goes around will come back at ya
with a vengeance.