Thank You All For A Great Ride!

[tina_la]

thanks rumbly tumbly I was about to post the same.

There's really no reason to go into all that since she has now complied with disney's request. It would just take this thread in the wrong direction I think.

 

[noahdove]

I agree with rumblytumbly I think she was just bringing a little extra magic to our Disney vacations she will truly be missed...

 

[the Fidge]

Yes AMy stole but it wsa our hearts! She was able to make some wonderful magic here in my home. My Grumpy husband actually wears his shirt loud and proud when its not his birthday! There is not alot I can give him but his shirt he adored!

I would not have been able to have his birthday and the design by Disney itself. Amy did and asked for no compensation.

To see my grown up Grumpy with a big huge grin and joy in his heart over a tee shirt well then tell me where to post Amy's bail!

My DH suffered a heart attack right after Christmas and he said in his recovery how glad he got to go on all the rides with his son last year and would I bring his Grumpy shirt to the hospital.

I think that says more than any words I can say!

Thank you Amy, I would skip to make your bail!

 

[Faith&Hope]

When clipart is offered online, especially on Disney owned websites, what are we supposed to do with it? It's there for us to use!! We don't steal it. Music is online and illegally downloaded, clipart is not. Music is downloadable for money, clipart is not. Sorry to sound upset but the above comment really ticked me off! To take away someone's ability to put smiles on faces, and not to mention, further enhance their hobby, just breaks me heart. Thank you to Amy and Kari as well as all the other designers for devoting yourselves to making others happy!! I know we are entitled to our own opinions, but sometimes I wish some opinions were kept quiet!

 

[rumblytumbly]

Yes AMy stole but it wsa our hearts! She was able to make some wonderful magic here in my home. My Grumpy husband actually wears his shirt loud and proud when its not his birthday! There is not alot I can give him but his shirt he adored!

I would not have been able to have his birthday and the design by Disney itself. Amy did and asked for no compensation.

To see my grown up Grumpy with a big huge grin and joy in his heart over a tee shirt well then tell me where to post Amy's bail!

My DH suffered a heart attack right after Christmas and he said in his recovery how glad he got to go on all the rides with his son last year and would I bring his Grumpy shirt to the hospital.

I think that says more than any words I can say!

Thank you Amy, I would skip to make your bail!

When clipart is offered online, especially on Disney owned websites, what are we supposed to do with it? It's there for us to use!! We don't steal it. Music is online and illegally downloaded, clipart is not. Music is downloadable for money, clipart is not. Sorry to sound upset but the above comment really ticked me off! To take away someone's ability to put smiles on faces, and not to mention, further enhance their hobby, just breaks me heart. Thank you to Amy and Kari as well as all the other designers for devoting yourselves to making others happy!! I know we are entitled to our own opinions, but sometimes I wish some opinions were kept quiet!

Oh you guys said it so much better than me!!!

 

[Shriva]

I'm not sure disney CAN make you stop designing as long as your not selling the items..

If so then most of this board wouldn't be here.. i guess disney hasn't contacted the dis boards about it..

I would be VERY interested in exactly what you were sent or HOW you were told this Amy..
Please email me what happened... are you SURE it was disney?

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I'm not sure disney CAN make you stop designing as long as your not selling the items..

If so then most of this board wouldn't be here.. i guess disney hasn't contacted the dis boards about it..

I would be VERY interested in exactly what you were sent or HOW you were told this Amy..
Please email me what happened... are you SURE it was disney?

I will post here since it seems that everyone is interested...

I received an email with an attachment that was a letter from a law firm. I researched the man's name online and he indeed works on behalf of Disney. I think that he must have found my website (didn't help that I had the word Mickey in the web address). Only my website was mentioned in the letter but this was some of the wording in the letter.

"Because of these rights, no one is authorized to manufacture, copy, advertise, offer for sale or sell any products utilizing the Disney Properties without Disney’s express written permission."

Given this information and of course being a little freaked out, my best decision was to quit altogether. To my knowledge the Disboards has not been contacted and has not been affected.

 

[E-orLover]

Hi Amy,

Just a quick thought. How does that lawyer/guy (whatever he is) know you DON'T have a letter? Did your website give your first and last name where he could look it up in a database?

I agree with the o/p, you are not selling your designs it is purly for fun and enjoyment. Maybe you could contact Disney and ask for permission. Then send a copy of the letter back to the mean guy who sent you the e-mail.

I understand why you stopped, I probably would have too. Disney is a huge company with lots of power and anything legal is just not worth it.
I am sorry this happened to you. Your disigns are awesome and you are very talented. I wish you the best.

 

[chaoscent]

Amy - You are missed and will continue to be missed. Your ability to visualize and then design was greatly appreciated by many. Penny

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I've been MIA for a bit and just found this!! So sorry, Amy!!

Do you think it could be just a matter of not doing the PayPal donations anymore? I know you can't make a profit from copyrighted material, but under the fair use doctrine, you can use copyrighted (or portions of) material for commentary, scholarly use, criticism, parody and a couple other things, I think. I'm not a lawyer, but I am a purblic relations/photojournalist, and they cram copyright law down our throats constantly.

Check it out, you may be able to keep designing if you just nix the PayPal option.

 

[ms.yt]

I will post here since it seems that everyone is interested...

I received an email with an attachment that was a letter from a law firm. I researched the man's name online and he indeed works on behalf of Disney. I think that he must have found my website (didn't help that I had the word Mickey in the web address). Only my website was mentioned in the letter but this was some of the wording in the letter.

"Because of these rights, no one is authorized to manufacture, copy, advertise, offer for sale or sell any products utilizing the Disney Properties without Disney’s express written permission."

Given this information and of course being a little freaked out, my best decision was to quit altogether. To my knowledge the Disboards has not been contacted and has not been affected.

This sounds extremely questionable. First of all, a lawyer representing Disney would most likely not send a cease and desist notice via email. It would be very easy for a legal professional to obtain your name and address from your web host, and they would then most likely send you a registered letter.
Second, it seems absurd that you were the only designer contacted, considering how many people are doing basically the same level of copyright infrigement on this site.

I don't doubt for a second that you were contacted by someone claiming to be the attorney you researched, but it sounds an awful lot like someone was posing as that person to scare you off of designing. Unless I haven't read this thread correctly, it seems as though your only correspondence with this firm has been via email. Have you tried calling the firm directly to see if they are indeed the ones who sent the letter?

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

This sounds extremely questionable. First of all, a lawyer representing Disney would most likely not send a cease and desist notice via email. It would be very easy for a legal professional to obtain your name and address from your web host, and they would then most likely send you a registered letter.
Second, it seems absurd that you were the only designer contacted, considering how many people are doing basically the same level of copyright infrigement on this site.

I don't doubt for a second that you were contacted by someone claiming to be the attorney you researched, but it sounds an awful lot like someone was posing as that person to scare you off of designing. Unless I haven't read this thread correctly, it seems as though your only correspondence with this firm has been via email. Have you tried calling the firm directly to see if they are indeed the ones who sent the letter?

I received the letter attachment in an email because my name and address were marked private.

Since then, the attorney has contacted the web hosting provider and I have received correspondence from the web hosting company that since they "Disney lawyer" has provided enough information to justify copyright infringement - they have now disclosed my name and address to the lawyer (so that they are now not the middle man).

He is surely the man he says he is or else my web hosting provider would not have disclosed any personal information to them.

Again, I believe that he works primarily on online infringement and that my website red flagged them. Only my website was cited in the letter - not the DisBoards. (my guess is because I had Mickey in my website name)

I am convinced that it is real and am more than a little freaked out about it. Which is why, even though the DisBoards were not mentioned, I decided it was best for me to cease and desist all Disney designing. I am not willing to take any chances, I couldn't claim ignorance since I have already received one letter.

I know that it is hard for all of you and most especially me but I have to do what I think is right. Thank you all for your kindness and concern - it has definitely made this all a little easier on me.

 

[packerbeth]

So sorry this has happened to you. You have spread a lot of joy to many people with your designs, including my family. I will definitely send you pictures from our April trip. We can't wait to wear the shirts you designed for us! Best wishes to you!

 

[ms.yt]

Since then, the attorney has contacted the web hosting provider and I have received correspondence from the web hosting company that since they "Disney lawyer" has provided enough information to justify copyright infringement - they have now disclosed my name and address to the lawyer (so that they are now not the middle man).

He is surely the man he says he is or else my web hosting provider would not have disclosed any personal information to them.

Okay, this makes more sense that they have contacted you more than just by email. It still sucks, though, and is crazy that they are singling you out considering there is copyright infrigement all over these boards. I guess you were just unlucky enough to be the "example" person.

You did several designs for my recent trip, and I was thrilled with all of them. You are a great designer and it's terrible that you are being put through this. As I said earlier, copyright infrigement is all over this site and many, many others. I don't understand why they picked you. Best wishes to you & try not to be too freaked out! (another example of copyright infrigement)

 

[taekwondo mom]

Amy

I just saw this post .. I just wanted to say Thank You for all the designs you did for our family trip .. The shirts were a hit for our family (Many cast members commented on the shirts)

God Blesses those who Bless others.. You have Blessed and PixieDusted several disers ....
Sending alittle . to you..

THANK YOU AGAIN..

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

So sorry this has happened to you. You have spread a lot of joy to many people with your designs, including my family. I will definitely send you pictures from our April trip. We can't wait to wear the shirts you designed for us! Best wishes to you!

I would love to see pictures!!! Have a great trip and wear your shirts loud and proud!

Okay, this makes more sense that they have contacted you more than just by email. It still sucks, though, and is crazy that they are singling you out considering there is copyright infrigement all over these boards. I guess you were just unlucky enough to be the "example" person.

You did several designs for my recent trip, and I was thrilled with all of them. You are a great designer and it's terrible that you are being put through this. As I said earlier, copyright infrigement is all over this site and many, many others. I don't understand why they picked you. Best wishes to you & try not to be too freaked out! (another example of copyright infrigement)

I am just focusing on making a "not great" situation the best it can be. You'll still be seeing me around but just in a different capacity.

I am so glad I was able to help make your trip more magical. Enjoy your designs!

Amy

I just saw this post .. I just wanted to say Thank You for all the designs you did for our family trip .. The shirts were a hit for our family (Many cast members commented on the shirts)

God Blesses those who Bless others.. You have Blessed and PixieDusted several disers ....
Sending alittle . to you..

THANK YOU AGAIN..

I believe this as well! This is a change but I have to trust that something better is in store for me and always focus on the positive.

Thanks for your kind words. I am so happy that I was able to make your trip more special!

 

[tnmom25]

Amy, regardless of what anyone thinks about right or wrong, you are a very considerate person and never intended to break any rules. I love your designs and so do my girls. I really hope that you can continue your creativity in another outlet!

 

[ksloane]

If we had your work, we could come back and post it here right? I'm afraid until this recent time, I have never kept up with who did what, but if someone could help me identify it, I'd be glad to post anything I had...

Does this make sense? Would anyone else be interested in posting some of Amy's work (if we have any that doesn't have our names?). I do have a post with some of our shirts from this last vacation and if someone identifies any of it as Amy's, I'd be glad to come back and post the originals.....

 

[ksloane]

Just wanted to come back and add that I did find a few designs Amy emailed me so I'd be glad to post them......if that's ok and you guys want to help rebuild a thread....

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Just wanted to come back and add that I did find a few designs Amy emailed me so I'd be glad to post them......if that's ok and you guys want to help rebuild a thread....

Good Idea - I'll start a new thread and everyone can build onto it.