Guidelines regarding commercial links

[WebmasterKathy]

A few guidelines to remember when posting on the DISboards:

1. FOR SALE: For sale ads are strictly prohibited on any of the DISboards. Anyone posting such ads will have their post deleted. This same policy applies to links to your ebay/auction listings . "For sale" posts includes requests for donations (see below). In addition, "Vote for me" posts are not permitted on the DIS. This includes requests for support in an online contest, sweepstakes, lottery or other event designed to yield personal gain.

7. ADVERTISING: The advertisers/sponsors who you see on the DIS are carefully chosen. While we welcome discussion of them as well as other businesses that you have information or questions about, if its determined that you are using the DIS to promote a commercial venture, you will lose your posting privileges. This includes choosing a username/signature that refers to your business. In addition, links to the company's website will be blocked. Also note that we do not want the boards to be used for solicitations or for requesting referrals. Requests for advertising can be directed to Corey@wdwinfo.com for consideration.

10. LINKS TO OTHER SITES: You are welcome to link to your web site on our boards provided that a) you are not promoting a commercial service or for-profit venture, b) you don't post primarily to promote your site and c) that you place one of these images on the home page of your web site. Before posting a link to another site, we ask that you please first check to see if the same information is available on www.wdwinfo.com.

Please remember that you agreed to these guidelines when you joined. For those in the scrapbooking forum this means:

- you can not include a link to a blog (or otherwise show) that has a link to your for profit store (digital, etsy, ebay, or any others)- in your signature or post

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits

- you can provide information about places to find good deals/sales and such as people ask for information and you find it as long as you are not a member of a design team or designer for that store

- you may provide links to places that have freebies and no items for sale - if they have items for sale then the freebies are for advertising and links to them will not be allowed (this includes links to digital sites and ebay/etsy sites for traditional scrappers)

- if you are posting a link to your personal site then it must have a disboards link back to here as seen in item number 10 above

- due to the nature that prizes in and of themselves are commercial in nature we will have to ask everyone to stop providing prizes for challenges and instead just encourage people to do a challenge for the sake of doing the challenge (allowing the winner to host the next challenge is not a prize with commercial ties and so that is still allowed)

Violations of the above rules can result in consequences including loss of signatures, loss of ability to send or receive private messages, or even temporary or permanent revocation of your membership here.

These guidelines will be enforced by the moderators will the full support and agreement of the webmasters. Any questions or complaints about our site guidelines should be addressed to the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com.

 

[janette]

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits

Are the webmasters aware that virtually all digital designers TOU require credit given when their products are used and displayed. Sounds like we have to find a new place to hang out with other Disney fans that enjoy digital scrap booking. One of the best aspects of a group is being able to share work and see others for ideas.

 

[tngirl1979]

Are the webmasters aware that virtually all digital designers TOU require credit given when their products are used and displayed. Sounds like we have to find a new place to hang out with other Disney fans that enjoy digital scrap booking. One of the best aspects of a group is being able to share work and see others for ideas.

I agree with janette. You are asking for us to violate a legal requirement if we post and do not give credit. I guess we will not be able to post here.

One other question would be if we can not document where we received our products, then traditional scrapbookers can not reference Michael's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc. Is this correct? That would be promoting the Brick and Morter stores just like we would be promoting digital stores.

 

[RRBB]

I guess the days of the DIS being a great place to share both our enthusiasm for all things Disney as well as our passion for scrapping are over. What had been a fun outlet to pass information about the what's and where's and how's is no more. And is a darn shame, because if it weren't for the fun challenges posted here I would have never started much less completed my DD's first trip to Disney World album. I would have never found out where to get cool products to use in that digital album. I would never have felt the desire to learn more about the neat things that can be done digitally --- BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN WHERE TO GO TO LEARN!!!

With all these restrictions about sharing information - which I thought was one of the best features of the DIS - you might as well just shut down the Scrapbooking forum. Because if we scrappers cannot share what and where we find cool products or share our layouts with proper credits, then there's just no point because there's nothing to post about.

And while you're at it, get rid of the Budget Board, DVC-Rent/Trade forum, Creative DISigns forum, etc. because they're in violation of these rules, too!!!

 

[WebmasterKathy]

Guys,

The problem here is that we've had an influx of people who post here to promote their own commercial ventures. The DIS has always had rules that prohibit advertising or posting for personal gain, and that's what has seemingly run rampant here recently.

Did you read this part?

- you can provide information about places to find good deals/sales and such as people ask for information and you find it as long as you are not a member of a design team or designer for that store

Again, what we're aiming to eliminate is those who are promoting themselves here for profit.

 

[RRBB]

Guys,

The problem here is that we've had an influx of people who post here to promote their own commercial ventures. The DIS has always had rules that prohibit advertising or posting for personal gain, and that's what has seemingly run rampant here recently.

Again, what we're aiming to eliminate is those who are promoting themselves here for profit.

How about instead punishing everyone that has enjoyed the DIS and the fun on the scrapbooking board, you point out to those in violation what the problem is. It just seem unfair to the masses that all of a sudden the rug is pulled out from under us in such an abrupt way.

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

 

[susan0326]

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

Exactly! I've been around the Dis for awhile and there are always links to things whether it's cricut, AC Moore, or Joann's, etc. What difference is it to link to a site that has digi-stuff for sale? This is just wrong.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

Me, too. I'm heading to where we are welcome and not held to different standards than others.

 

[kathleena]

- when posting a layout it should not be linked back to a gallery that is part of a store or have any stores/designers listed in the credits

As mentioned previously, this is a violation of Terms of Use and copyrights. We MUST post the designer's name if that is required by their TOU. Every finished product being posted in these threads are supposed to list all product used along with the product's designer - including the paper scrapped ones that are displayed. Instead of saying what you have here - if that is your real intent -then you should be saying instead that NO layouts, hybrid products etc are allowed because they are in copyright violation because the DIS won't allow the credits to be listed.

 

[nicurn]

How about instead punishing everyone that has enjoyed the DIS and the fun on the scrapbooking board, you point out to those in violation what the problem is. It just seem unfair to the masses that all of a sudden the rug is pulled out from under us in such an abrupt way.

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

I'm with robin... perhaps y'all should ban all the blinkies promoting design teams or whatever. this used to be a nice friendly welcoming place, not anymore. (and yes I understand what you are trying to do but there has to be a better way to do it.) Hope you will be enforcing your policy over on the dis design board...

off to find a user friendly place now. maggie

 

[kathleena]

Exactly! I've been around the Dis for awhile and there are always links to things whether it's cricut, AC Moore, or Joann's, etc. What difference is it to link to a site that has digi-stuff for sale? This is just wrong.

I agree with this. It's all or nothing. Makes no difference if it's me linking to a digisite or someone else linking to Wal-Mart.

 

[janette]

Guys,

The problem here is that we've had an influx of people who post here to promote their own commercial ventures. The DIS has always had rules that prohibit advertising or posting for personal gain, and that's what has seemingly run rampant here recently.

Did you read this part?



Again, what we're aiming to eliminate is those who are promoting themselves here for profit.

Why was the thread closed then? Many of the links were not by the designers or creative team but by people who found them. I know I've linked a few kits and freebies and I'm certainly not in either of those groups.

I agree with Robin, this was a great place and so glad that it was here for me to learn and get so much help with digital books. This new interpretation of the rules makes it just too hard. I'll find somewhere else; I'm mostly sorry for those that would like to learn and find information. It is hard to jump into the dedicated digital scrapbook sites and this little corner of the DIS provided a nice jumping ground to learn and for many talented people to share their work.

 

[LindaBabe]

YOU at the DIS do not have a scrapbook store or sell scrapbooking products. I Fail to see where these links are causing the DIS any problem at all. If people are posting links to their personal stores then punish THEM, not all of us.

I'm a traditional scrapper, but I will be taking further posting on this board under advisment. I would HOPE that y'all would listen to the voices of reason, some of whom you see above, before instituting an arbitrary and unnecessary blanket policy.

 

[stenogoddess]

Nevermind.

 

[rlovew]

As mentioned previously, this is a violation of Terms of Use and copyrights. We MUST post the designer's name if that is required by their TOU. Every finished product being posted in these threads are supposed to list all product used along with the product's designer - including the paper scrapped ones that are displayed. Instead of saying what you have here - if that is your real intent -then you should be saying instead that NO layouts, hybrid products etc are allowed because they are in copyright violation because the DIS won't allow the credits to be listed.

Can everyone post credits- the name of the designer without linking back to the store in any way, if you list the name of the designer without the store and a link would you be within your TOU- we are trying to come to a middle ground- allowing everyone to post while not being outside of the guidelines.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Wow -- this makes me really sad. This is where I "learned" to digiscrap. So many wonderful people so generously shared their time, tips and resources with me. And I tried to pass on some of what I learned to others... Pay it forward, you know. This has been a wonderful little community to be a part of, and I feel like I have made some great friends over here. Sadly, I will not be hanging out over here anymore... These new guidelines make this board useless to digiscrappers. I won't post a layout without giving the credits as it is illegal, unethical, and simply rude to do so. And this board has been an amazing resource to me as far as products (both freebies and non).... I can't believe the product thread is gone! I didn't even know where or how to go about getting digi products when I first started... There are many other places where we can go be a "community," but it was so fun to share our love of Disney over here on the DIS... This is really, really sad.

 

[RRBB]

Wow -- this makes me really sad. This is where I "learned" to digiscrap. So many wonderful people so generously shared their time, tips and resources with me. And I tried to pass on some of what I learned to others... Pay it forward, you know. This has been a wonderful little community to be a part of, and I feel like I have made some great friends over here. Sadly, I will not be hanging out over here anymore... These new guidelines make this board useless to digiscrappers. I won't post a layout without giving the credits as it is illegal, unethical, and simply rude to do so. And this board has been an amazing resource to me as far as products (both freebies and non).... I can't believe the product thread is gone! I didn't even know where or how to go about getting digi products when I first started... There are many other places where we can go be a "community," but it was so fun to share our love of Disney over here on the DIS... This is really, really sad.

Yes, VERY sad. It seems such a big deal is being made over the sharing of information. It's not like it was being broadcast to the whole board. Digi scrappers make up a small subset of a subset of a subset of a subset of this site. And now we're being driven away. It's really too bad, but it is what it is.

 

[Disney Baby]

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there.

 

[Monny2AE]

Can everyone post credits- the name of the designer without linking back to the store in any way, if you list the name of the designer without the store and a link would you be within your TOU- we are trying to come to a middle ground- allowing everyone to post while not being outside of the guidelines.

I understand about the middle ground and appreciate that the admins are trying to find it. I think most are upset because it came with little warning.

I think posting credits that way would work. But the whole purpose of the Post your Digital Links Thread was for just that- to post LINKS to share Disney related digital scrapbooking items with other digital scrappers, freebies or not. It made it easier to locate Disney digital stuff online.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there.

well I'm sorry you feel that way but it has nothing to do with traditional scrappers versus digi scrappers.

 

[Yzerbear19]

Just because someone posts a link to a site where products can be purchased doesn't mean they get any personal gain from it. More often than not it's just a friendly way of sharing, just as those that post about sales at Target or Michael's or AC Moore or any other site - brick & mortar or internet - for physical products.

It just seems y'all have taken the advertising rule over the top here. Just my humble opinion. Now I'm off to find some place where sharing isn't so restictive...

I agree. It is way over the top. Posting about a sale at a certain site is no different than posting about a Cricut product on sale at AC Moore or Hobby Lobby. Other than one is a physical store and one is a digital store.

Wow -- this makes me really sad. This is where I "learned" to digiscrap. So many wonderful people so generously shared their time, tips and resources with me. And I tried to pass on some of what I learned to others... Pay it forward, you know. This has been a wonderful little community to be a part of, and I feel like I have made some great friends over here. Sadly, I will not be hanging out over here anymore... These new guidelines make this board useless to digiscrappers. I won't post a layout without giving the credits as it is illegal, unethical, and simply rude to do so. And this board has been an amazing resource to me as far as products (both freebies and non).... I can't believe the product thread is gone! I didn't even know where or how to go about getting digi products when I first started... There are many other places where we can go be a "community," but it was so fun to share our love of Disney over here on the DIS... This is really, really sad.

I agree. This was where I first got introduced to digital scrapping and learned so much from those here. I found a lot of great stuff through the threads here when I first started. It so sad that the digiscrappers are being treated this way.

Most of the moderators are mainly traditional scrappers - they have their wish - the Digiscrappers are leaving them alone. I am so sad to leave but I hope that you will all stay in touch. I am going to www.mousescrappers.com to see if we can start to build a new home there.

I also agree with you. This is no longer a place were dgiscrappers are welcome. So sad. I definitely will be going somewhere else since it is clear we are no longer welcome here.