I'm trying to decide if I should be upset over this. My mil has a history of "stealing" my pictures on facebook (always pics of my children). Without ever asking me, she takes pictures I've put on my facebook and puts them on her own page. I don't like the fact that she does it, but I've let it slide. At one point she stole my profile pic and made it her profile pic too. I told her that was too confusing and she needed to change it. But I didn't make a big deal about it because I don't like stirring up stuff. She even went so far as to steal a pic from my dad's facebook page. In the same breath she stole the pic, she "asked" if she could via a comment under the pic. Of course, there's not much my dad could have said unless he wanted to make her angry and I have no idea if he even cares. But, all this is small (in my mind) to what she has now done. I get up this morning a see a message she has sent me on facebook. She tells me that she gave a copy of my dd's sonogram pic to her friend to use in a pro-life (anti-abortion) poster that has been sent out on facebook and who knows where else. Then she asks me what I think... Like I'm suppose to take this as a happy surprise? (All personal info was removed from the pic.) I wouldn't exactly describe myself as pro-life or pro-choice. I haven't drawn any lines in the sand when it comes to what I think about abortion. But, the question is, how upset would you be over this? Am I over reacting? I sent her a message back saying that it would have been nice if she had asked me beforehand and that I would not of given her permission to use the pic if she had asked. If i wasn't dealing with an in-law I wouldn't have any problem telling them what I thought from the very beginning. But, the in-laws already think I don't like them so I try to tread cautiously.
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Sounds like a boundries issue. The issue of boundries is best addressed, in my experience, upfront and with as much love and compassion as you can muster. If possible have a face to face conversation ( if you are geographically distanced, use Skype- so much can be lost in phone conversations) and explain exactly what it is that doesn't feel comfortable for you about the issue(s). Perhaps your mil doesn't have a full grasp on what is acceptable "social etiquette" on navigating Facebook. Once you've explained the situation to her you'll have at the very least freed your mind from the merry-go-round of "is it me?" and released a lot of negative energy that doesn't serve for the good of anyone. Trust that your imput, and possibly information on what is appropriate and what isn't appropriate on Facebook, will shift your relationship onto a new path. Good Luck!
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if your in laws already think you don't like them, and she pulls this move, then asks what you think about it... i'd say that it sure sounds like she is "egging you on."
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why do you just take this??
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there is (or at least used to be) a way for you to remove other people's "tags" of your photos on facebook.
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my aunt "tagged herself" in some of my pictures of my kids. i didn't like it, and "untagged" her, without saying anything about it. she hasn't tagged anymore since.
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you could bypass the MIL entirely by asking her for the name and email address of the person she sent the sonogram to, and then you directly contact that person, tell them that you DO NOT give permission, that the photo was taken without your permission from your facebook page, and that you definitely do not want the photo to be used by their organization. if you want to egg them on a bit, tell them that your lawyer will be in touch with them soon if your wishes are not respected.
UGH! I would contact the person and inform them if the picture was not deleted in it's entirety from her position I would sue over copywrite protection.
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As for your mil stealing pics. If I love someone I steal too but I don't repost... but then again I'm not a grandma with nothing better to do that talk about my grandkids on facebook... yet. I would take down all your pics of your kids and mail out hard copies if you want people to have them. I do not post pics of my kid on facebook. It simply bothers me. I DO have a private area for family where I do post though. I'd be pissed if someone saved them and posted them publicly but unfortunatly for me no one cares if I have kids so I know no one will.
Congratulations, OP, you are the first person who's presented me with a truly heinous and offensive facebook photo snag scenario. The internet is full of ultrasound images, she could easily have taken a different one. I think it might depend on your politics as to how awful this is, but it would certainly anger me.
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Unfortunately it is not stealing. Â Once you put a photo on FB you no longer own the rights to that photo, FB does. Also- deleting a FB photo does not actually delete it. Â It still "lives" in the FB database and they are free to use it anyway they see fit.
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If you do not want any one to use/tag your photo you need to use your privacy settings to limit who can see them. Â You can make it private so that only you can see it, you can choose friends, friends of friends, everyone or you can even choose specific people only. Better yet if you really do not want to give up your rights don't post them at all.
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Now since your MIL gave a hard copy of the sonogram to her friend who then chose to share in on FB (via this pro life "poster") you may have a case. Â I would contact FB ASAP.
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However this only helps with FB. If she has used it via other social media sites, photo sites like flicker, etc, and email your only recourse is legal action. Do you know a lawyer who would en a letter for you? Again, if it is already out there on the WWW you are pretty much SOL. You may be able to get her to stop using it but the damage is already done. If this pro life "poster" goes viral there is not much you can do....
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 I get up this morning a see a message she has sent me on facebook. She tells me that she gave a copy of my dd's sonogram pic to her friend to use in a pro-life (anti-abortion) poster that has been sent out on facebook and who knows where else. Then she asks me what I think... Like I'm suppose to take this as a happy surprise?Â
This is the moment to address her serious lack of boundaries. Â She will continue to cross the line (likely in more serious ways) as your kiddos grow older. Â You have every right to confront her about her pathology. Â It is affecting you and your family in a very negative way. Â Furthermore, she won't acknowledge her culpability. Â If it were me, I would address this issue with her ASAP. Â I would stick to facts and avoid discussing 'her feelings'. Â If she needs that outlet, she can find a therapist. Â For me, the would be a big fat 4, on the 1-5 scale of seriousness. Â I am angry for you, that she used your child's image in this manner without your knowledge.
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OP, I see your post was from five days ago. Care to share an update? Did you discuss this with your MIL?Â
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Unfortunately it is not stealing. Â Once you put a photo on FB you no longer own the rights to that photo, FB does. Also- deleting a FB photo does not actually delete it. Â It still "lives" in the FB database and they are free to use it anyway they see fit.
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True, but I don't think this about rights. I think this issue is more about the OP's relationship with her MIL, not whether it was precisely legal or not. Â
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It would be completely legal for the OP to post on FB an angry rant about her MIL and her egregious lack of boundaries. But it wouldn't be considerate or respectful.Â
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Oh, I know its about her relationship with her MIL but I I think it is important to note that if the OP continue to share photos on FB the risk continues. Today its a sonagram, tomorrow it that cute bathtub photo, etc etc. If you don't want them out there on the net, don't post them.
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OP, I see your post was from five days ago. Care to share an update? Did you discuss this with your MIL?Â
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True, but I don't think this about rights. I think this issue is more about the OP's relationship with her MIL, not whether it was precisely legal or not. Â
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It would be completely legal for the OP to post on FB an angry rant about her MIL and her egregious lack of boundaries. But it wouldn't be considerate or respectful.Â
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I know I'm probably wrong as FB is pretty shrewd behind the scenes... but I still don't see how it is legal. I severely doubt there is a database full of 5 billion useless obscene pictures just sittign around for fb to figure out how they can profit off of it especially pictures of children. And IF Fb owns those pictures anyone would still then need to get written permission from the founder to use it anywhere else.
While these things (apparently in my own opinion) are illegal to post by anyone but the owner it's still on the internet. Once it's on the internet it's forever, which is what we need to teach our kids so there isn't nude pics of them out on go ogle pics.
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As for the photo being used that was taken down for the ad. The mother took her child to a modeling agency.. had it professionally taken by someone not herself, then signed a release form stating she knew it would be used as a generic stock photo (ie for sale to anyone for anything). That's a big difference than someone using a picture I took myself and put on my website with no permission given to anyone. She made a mistake and now hopefully people won't sign just any contract when using a professional photographer. Last time I used one I signed over they can use my picture for anything and I think now I will just take my own.
I don't agree with OPs MIL but I have to agree with this. It's the reason I don't post pics of DD or any other family pics on FB.
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Oh, I know its about her relationship with her MIL but I I think it is important to note that if the OP continue to share photos on FB the risk continues. Today its a sonagram, tomorrow it that cute bathtub photo, etc etc. If you don't want them out there on the net, don't post them.
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 Cuz, I tend to burn bridges..... Then I would try to mend the relationship if I thought it important (Is she a good g-ma?)

