About The Group...
This group is here to spread the word about a huge ongoing problem on the Internet and web pages everywhere.
There is sites out there that are knowingly stealing images and graphics and taking the credit for them and/or giving them away illegally.
The original creators of these images/graphics spend TONS of time on them and take time out of their lives to offer them for people for free only to have that all taken from them by lazy people who have no respect for the hard work of others.
Just because it is the Internet it does NOT make it okay! Graphic theft is illegal and is a crime that is punishable BY LAW! (and yes the web may seem like you are anonymous but you can be tracked down with very simple programs or your hosting provider could by law be forced to give out your info) Most sites get by with it because filing a lawsuit is a very lengthily process but the real creators of the stolen images legally have the right to sue and sometimes eventually do.
Don't risk it, give credit where credit is due or read the terms on the creators site. It may seem like its a pain and takes longer but its a lot better than getting sued, right?
We know this problem will always be present but that doesn't mean we can't get the word out to tell people NOT to use images from sites that steal graphics. If no one uses the graphics from these sites that steal, they will no longer have a reason for existing.
Using graphics from a site that steals IS supporting them, you may not be the one that stole the graphic in the first place but you are giving the thief a reason to keep on stealing and it is the same as encouraging it. If someone gave you a car to drive that they stole, would you take it?
