This is a post that I didn’t think I’d have to write.
Because seriously, we’re adults, do we really have to be told that STEALING IS WRONG?
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Here’s the story.
Earlier this week, I posted swatches of Chanel Graphite and Chanel Quartz, from Chanel’s Fall 2011 collection.
I was lucky enough to get the bottles early and I swatched them immediately because one, I was excited about them and two, I know a lot of polish fans have been waiting to see them.
There aren’t many photos of these colors online yet – I’ve only seen a couple (including the one-finger swatches of nail queen Sophy Robson who I love).
Today, I Googled “Chanel Graphite swatch” in hopes of seeing more swatches and comparisons of the color (yes, I am a huge Chanel fan). The first two results led to my blog and the third one was a link to AllGlam.com.
Excited to see new swatches of Graphite, I clicked on the link. I scrolled down and saw a photo of Chanel Quartz and Graphite. I thought, “Hey, wait a minute, this looks familiar.”
And when I checked my blog, I realized I was right. It was familiar. Why? Because it was my photo.
AllGlam.com had stolen my photo, added a black background, adjusted the color levels, slapped on their watermark and uploaded it to their website.
I felt my blood beginning to boil.
And it didn’t end there.
I scrolled down and saw my swatches of Graphite and Quartz.
My swatches of Graphite and Quartz were covered with their watermarks and on their website as if they owned them.
My swatch of Chanel Graphite on my website:
My swatch of Chanel Graphite on their website:
My swatch of Chanel Quartz on my website:
My swatch of Chanel Quartz on their website:
Notice that they say “swatch on nails.” Of course they need to say that. They can’t put “swatch on my nails” because they’re MY freaking nails.
At this point, I was fuming.
I posted a very polite comment on their website.
But after I clicked on “submit,” I got the “comment awaiting moderation” message. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t see the light of day.
I also posted a message on AllGlam.com’s Contact Us page and received a customer service ticket in my e-mail, nothing else. Then I vented on the nail board. And I vented on Twitter. And Facebook. And I filed complaints with Google and AllGlam.com’s web host.
I am furious. I know some people will think, “God, they’re just photos of your nails.” But seriously, I feel robbed.
I have no problems with people reposting my photos – as long as they ask for my permission and provide a link back to my site.
But that’s not what AllGlam.com did. They stole my photos and passed them off as their own.
I think it’s sick that they stole my photos. I think it’s foul that they put their watermark on my pictures. And I think it’s disgusting that they think they can get away with it.
And in the ten months their website has been up, they have been getting away with it. I’ve seen numerous posts from people who say that the people behind AllGlam.com have stolen their content and have not replied to their e-mail.
Unlike AllGlam.com, Polish Police is not ad-driven. I do not have a single advertisement on my website. I run this website because I love nail polish. I have not made a single cent from it – not one. I do this because I am passionate about it, because I love connecting with other polish fans, because I want to share my love for polish with others, because it’s fun.
But being stolen from is not fun.
It’s sickening that the people behind AllGlam.com think they can milk this passion for their benefit. And I refuse to let them get away with it.
To whoever is behind AllGlam.com, take my photos down or trust me, I will find you. In fact, I already know where you are.
This is a wake up call for me (and possibly other bloggers). I never wanted to do this but it looks like it’s time to start watermarking my photos.
Vent over.
Now back to regular programming.
UPDATE:
AllGlam.com has really made a habit of posting stolen content. Most of its posts are either press releases or stolen photos.
Here are some.
Original:
http://haruhii.pixnet.net/blog/post/29258481
http://haruhii.pixnet.net/blog/post/29258349
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/06/09/mac-semi-precious-collection-swatches/#more-1992
Original:
http://evachen212.tumblr.com/post/5876774603/so-subdued-so-sophisticated-a-sneak-peek-at
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/05/30/essie-fall-2011-collection-sneak-peek/
Original:
http://www.beautybypoc.fr/2011/05/02/burberry-lip-mist-rouge-a-levres-transparent-naturel/
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/04/13/burberry-lip-mist-collection-swatches-review/
Original:
http://www.lucysstash.com/2011/03/illamasqua-toxic-nature-collection.html
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/03/02/illamasqua-toxic-tale-collection-swatches-summer-2011/#more-1139
And there’s a lot more.
Crazy.
UPDATE:
Eugenia, who runs Ommorphia Beauty Bar, a blog that I just love, posted about this craziness. It’s such a beautifully written post – I swear, I got goosebumps while reading it.
Thank you, Eugenia, for the compassion, for sharing my passion and for knowing exactly how I feel.
We must unite against evil.
UPDATE:
Last night, I was exchanging e-mails with Marie-Helene, a French blogger whose photos have also been swiped by the evil AllGlam. We were both very frustrated about what happened and we spent many minutes filing complaints online.
Today, Marie-Helene sent me a message saying that she has received a message telling her that the post containing her photos has been removed from evil AllGlam. But, Marie-Helen added, my photos of Chanel Quartz and Graphite were still on the site.
“What did you do?” I asked her. Did Marie-Helene have special powers? Did she hypnotize evil AllGlam into submission?
“Nothing special,” she said. “I just used this form.”
So I did what Marie-Helene did. I used the form. The magical, magical form. And, not even an hour later, I received a wonderful e-mail from Hostgator.com, the unfortunate web host of evil AllGlam.
I’m writing to inform you that the content listed in your DMCA complaint has been taken offline. Please let us know if there are any further issues.
I checked evil AllGlam and yes, the post had disappeared.
In less than an hour.
In less than an hour, I kid you not. You rock, Marie-Helen. You rock, Hostgator.com. You suck, evil AllGlam.
If AllGlam has stolen from you, use the form. If you know anyone AllGlam has stolen from, ask them to use the form. It works.
Good – 1, Evil – 0.
Uhm, if you don’t like to put watermarks on your pictures, maybe you could just disable the right-click button on your site? That way no one will be able to save your photos. Sure, they may still be able to screen capture it but I think the resolution won’t be as good.
I hated that site the moment I saw it, what with all their adds and like button eklavoos. Hehe.
Anyway, that’s just my suggestion (:D) because I think putting a watermark might not make the pictures of your swatches as nice to look at as they do now.
Hi Brocoliy! I really don’t want to put watermarks – they might be distracting
And yeah, I hate that “vote for us to see the site” thing. And I hate that they are thieves.
The problem is I use Flickr as my host – my photos will be clickable and can be lifted from there. Even if I disable right clicking, they can screen cap and crop… If the thieves are determined, they will find ways…
I will think about it.. But I really don’t want to put watermarks.
Sigh..
i REALLY hate when this happens…i feel it ruins the fun for everybody…i’m so sorry this happened to you…
but on a brighter note…you made me realize i NEED both nail polishes lol
just be strong i guess…i come here to see you fun posts, which i enjoy them a lot
I feel exactly the same way! I love blogging about polish because it’s fun — and i had something super fun to show you today but it was eclipsed by this madness..
i really didn’t want to post anything so negative (i feel the internet has enough negativity without me adding to it) but this felt necessary…
i promise not to let this get me down. and we are back to regular programming… new post will be up soon
and yes, Graphite and Quartz are awesome
This is sad to hear!
I’m glad that your love for nail polish ended up with you discovering that someone stole your photos.
It sucks, it really does.
It made MY blood boil! Wish it was closer…..I’d knock on their door for ya! I’m 3 hours+ north. :/
It’s crazy, Kitty! Look at the amount of stolen content that person has on the site:
Original:
http://haruhii.pixnet.net/blog/post/29258481
http://haruhii.pixnet.net/blog/post/29258349
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/06/09/mac-semi-precious-collection-swatches/#more-1992
Original:
http://evachen212.tumblr.com/post/5876774603/so-subdued-so-sophisticated-a-sneak-peek-at
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/05/30/essie-fall-2011-collection-sneak-peek/
Original:
http://www.beautybypoc.fr/2011/05/02/burberry-lip-mist-rouge-a-levres-transparent-naturel/
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/04/13/burberry-lip-mist-collection-swatches-review/
Original:
http://www.lucysstash.com/2011/03/illamasqua-toxic-nature-collection.html
Stolen:
http://allglam.com/2011/03/02/illamasqua-toxic-tale-collection-swatches-summer-2011/#more-1139
Sickening. Cheap, lying, cowards. Like you, I began my blog out of a love and passion and desire for makeup and nail polish, and like you, I don’t make a single cent out of it (nor do I even care to) and don’t have any paid advertisers and the like…and hearing about yet another yellow-bellied thief like this (there have been plenty…ebay is a hotbed of stolen photos), makes me want to throw something…HARD!!! That you were blessed to get these shades early and was the envy of all us bloggers (gah….those polishes are STUNNING!!! Can’t wait to wrap my fingers around them…and for the record? your swatches are awesome!) doesn’t mean you deserve to ripped off like that. And I refuse to go on AllGlam’s site, most particularly because of that “Vote for me” thing…what on earth is that all about? It rots my shorts that someone else comes along and just rides on the coat tails of all your sweat & efforts! Wish I could help you in some way! (by the way. I don’t watermark my photos either and they’ve been stolen a few times that I know of…I don’t want to ruin the look I have by watermarking, but now you’ve got me thinking…) Hugs! xox
Hi Eugenia! I love your blog!
I totally agree – I am so disgusted by AllGlam.com. I love posting swatches (and I even really enjoy the actual act of swatching – it’s so relaxing) and I hate that people like this have to ruin the experience for me.. The Vote For Me thing is such a turn off too! I did a lot of reporting and complaint-filing last night – but have gotten no results. GoDaddy.com claims that while the domain is theirs, they don’t host the site so they have no say over the content.. I’ve filed with Google and GoogleAds because copyright infringement is against their policies but it still needs to be reviewed.. It’s so frustrating.. And I hate that it’s taking up so much time..
I really don’t want to use watermarks either.. I’m trying to think of a way around them..
Thank you so much for the very sweet comment. And thanks for understanding my need to rant..
dont they know wo they EFFEN wit!
they will know
Hi,
I’m a member on specktra.net and somebody there got an email from the host of allglam. She wrote the host about allglam stealing pictures, but they can’t do anything because it never were her pictures that were stolen.
In the mail the following was said:
Hello,
Please review our DMCA procedures which follow the OCILLA. Also note, the sworn statements and all other information listed on our DMCA page are not only required but mandatory for any DMCA report. This will allow you to specifically identify the intellectual property that you own and is being infringed upon, which is required by law.
There are many verified third party DMCA/COPYRIGHT agencies who act on behalf of the intellectual property holders who can verify and submit these claims on behalf of the intellectual property owners. This will insure that legally, the intellectual property owner and the ISP is protected in the event of an account termination.
SoftLayer DMCA information http://www.softlayer.com/dmca.htmldd
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCILLAsee section 2 – 2.1 take-down example
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.htmlsee section 512 – 3 Elements of notification
The girl that posted this asked if other members could send this message to bloggers that had their photo’s used on allglam. Only people that had they photo’s used without permission can file a claim.
The host is Softlayer.com and the email is abuse@softlayer.com.
I really hope we can stop allglam from stealing other peoples work.
Hi Assie!
Thanks for the comment. I did see people on Specktra complaining about AllGlam (I really should sign up on Specktra soon)…
I will file all the complaints necessary to stop this website from stealing. It’s really sickening!
Also, I’m compiling a list of the bloggers the site has stolen from and I’ve been sending them messages..
Good luck with everything! Also you really should join specktra:)
All Glam is famous for putting watermarks on other people’s photos. Its quite despicable and has been going on for a long time.
Hi Sheila! It really disgusts me. They need to be stopped.
It’s sickening to think that not only are these people too lazy to do their own swatches, but that they’re trying to pass off other people’s property as their own. It’s actually a lot less trouble to link back to the original source than go through the process of resizing, altering colors, and watermarking someone else’s photo. That is just really despicable.
The part I hate the most is knowing that this might not even be someone who really loves polish – they’re just riding on other people’s passions to make money. It was a site built to generate ads and make money from hits. Sick sick sick. Exactly, a link back would have shown at least a little respect – but they really go out of their way to deceive people. It’s sick.
The person didn’t just “borrow” your photos, they took the time and effort to make it look like it was their own. They zoomed in on your images, cropped them, added watermarks. It’s so pathetic!
It is pathetic! And I am sickened by the effort they put into disguising the photos… Who did they think they’re fooling?!
Oh girl this is also making me furious! And they are known for doing that, and we need some hackers to track them down and whip them out. There’s nothing we can do too! The best we can do is probably adding our own watermarks on the most vital parts of the pictures, but it ruins the swatches, and Yuki had her watermark on the vital parts too and they still find ways to crop things out and make them their own! This is ridiculous!
You are so right! Ridiculous is the perfect word! They are infuriating! Since they refuse to respond to e-mails and decent attempts at contacting them, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone goes to extreme measures in making them stop.
In the meantime, I will continue to be vigilant about this. I hate filling out forms but I will keep doing it if that’s what it takes to teach them a lesson.
They have shown us no respect at all. It’s disgusting.
is this yours too?
http://www.chanelnailpolish.info/2011/05/13/chanel-le-vernis-graphite-529/
Yes, that’s mine too! GODDAMNIT.
reality bites.there are people who prefers a short-cut to awesomeness rather than using their own energy.hirap talaga pag sikat ka Pam.hehehe…
I’m really pissed off.
I’m glad that the host site had taken action with your complaint but your right,after 2 or 3 complaints of stolen contents the site should be taken down.this is so sad and frustrating.
how hard would it be to just CREDIT the photo? i’m sure their readers won’t hold it against them if they admitted that some photos aren’t theirs. what selfish bastards.
PS. i hate watermarks too… and other sites have been known to actually crop out or paste over other people’s watermarks. sigh at the world.
Fozzy!!! Exactly! A lot of other blogs repost photos from other blogs but it doesn’t leave a bad taste in the mouth because they know how to credit..
I don’t want to watermark, I really don’t. I might have to resort to writing on my fingers instead..
P.S. I love your calligraphy!
Hi, Pam. I’ve been following your blog for a few months; it’s one of my go-to blogs for new nail polish brands and shades to play with. This theft of your content is just disgusting. Sadly, Allglam.com isn’t the only one that does it. I hope you succeed in getting them to take your photos down.
Thanks so much for visiting, I’m glad you enjoy the blog.
It really is disgusting. I will not stop until they take my photos down. I wish there was more we can do to combat this sickening practice.
they’ve done it to me too
so sick and depraved. i hate thieves. i just want to scream at them to go out and get themselves some GD lives!
Kellie! You too?! Arghh. Their list of victims is getting longer. I want to scream at them too!!!
I’ve been exchanging e-mails with Marie Helene, a French blogger whose work has also been stolen by AllGlam.. We were both filing complaints with the site’s host, with Google, etc.. and today she got major results — she received a message from the host of AllGlam telling her that the post that included her photos has been taken down..
She used this form to file the complaint: http://www.hostgator.com/dmca.php
I just used it myself and I hope I get the same result.. You might want to use it too.. I will tell the other girls too..
To be completely honest, I don’t think taking the post down is enough. AllGlam should be shut down.
Totally!!! They were able to earn already from other blogger’s photos! Not fair.
i got a response that the URL i sent in “doesn’t exist” and the photos she posted of mine “don’t exist” even though when i click on the links, they still pop up—> BUT her site is down now because of all the traffic driven there from yours and E’s post so go and look what disgusting message she put up, saying she needs an upgraded server because of all our “free traffic”.
Plagiarism sucks big time! Can’t even begin to describe how angry I got reading they did that to you! I know everyone has the right to “quote” content, with pictures even the whole picture, it’s called “fair use” in legal terms and for that you don’t even need a permission, but this is SO NOT fair use… This is plagiarism, taking credit for someone else’s work!! Gaah, this makes me so angry too! And the sad part is that these kinds of things happen all the time, and the police can hardly do anything because they don’t have time or resources… It’s so wrong!
Hey maybe you could have a small sticker or something in each photo, like a real, physical sticker on your finger or something when you take the photo… That could be a funny way to “watermark”, or I don’t know…
Hey Maria! I don’t mind being quoted.. I’ve done that too – I posted Sophy Robson’s picture of Mimosa and Morning Rose – but I asked her first, gave her credit and linked to her. Stealing my pictures and slapping ugly watermarks on them is a totally different thing – it’s just pure evil. Crazy.
I was swatching something exciting last night and I actually wrote on my fingers in an attempt to mark my photos without watermarking but it just looked bad
I will figure out another way
Stickers sound cool…
You’re welcome
And I want to believe that AllGlam will stop stealing pictures… Fingers crossed !
They stopped…. for now. I made a discovery though, I will e-mail you about it.
Thank you for finding that form, Marie-Helene. You rock
I’m so disgusted by that. I’ve sold items on eBay and have NEVER considered “stealing” someone else’s photos to use in my own listing! Yes, it’s a pain in the rear sometimes, but at least my customers know they’re getting EXACTLY what I’ve pictured!! MANY Kudos to you for calling them out and persevering with your complaints…to the end!! Hopefully enough complaints will now be registered that they will have to either shut down or start operating legitimately!!
It is disgusting. I did it because I wanted to fight for what is right.. They’ve stopped operating for now… but I wouldn’t be surprised if they start again.
Came here via Eugenia. What a great post. I think all thieves should be called out in a systematic manner like this with that hilarious threat at the end (“I know where you are” – LOL!) I was drooling over your photos and am appalled and furious at the people who stole your photos. I also hate watermarking but it seems to be inevitable. Thanks for the heads up on that despicable allglam.com.
Haha! So glad you enjoyed the post! I was worried it sounded too angry!
(But I was angry – so I couldn’t help it!)
I am trying to resist the lures of watermarking…
they’re really distracting 
Great job! I was looking at their pics the other day and it look like the exact swatches of http://haruhii.pixnet.net/blog/post/29258349. Allglam needs to to quit fooling people into thinking that they made those swatches. How hard is it to link the image back to website to give the owner its credibility?
Linking back would have been the decent thing to do – but it’s clear that there is no decent bone in their body…
I’m so happy they put down your photos and the website.
What do they take us bloggers for? Stupid? They don’t think we’ll find out?! That’s what irks me the most.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most of the people (not all) they stole content from live outside the United States and/or use a different language other than English on their blog. I think they thought they were being smart and that they wouldn’t get caught.
But they’re not as smart as they think they are..
That is absolutely disgraceful what that site is doing and the fact that they are making money off stealing others hard work makes me so angry. I went to check out the website after reading your post and currently they are going under “maintenance” and I hope this isn’t meant for you but underneath it reads “Also a SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR ALL THE FREE TRAFFIC TO PAM, as well as a few other unknown beauty bloggers- you definitely increased our number of visitors and hits on our ads!:)”
This is quite disrespectful if that is meant towards all the bloggers that are getting ripped off by them. I hope their maintenance is them taking down all the stolen material!!
At first I was really annoyed by the stupid message they posted. But then it soon became funny to me – especially when I realized it’s just their pathetic way of saving face. That was embarrassing – having their host take their posts down – and the snide message is their brave front. It’s quite silly. And laughable.
They can have the free traffic they got the past days. They seem to be that desperate for money so they can consider the hits on their ads that charity from me. But that’s all they’re getting from me.
I’m done with NOGLAM.
I saw this too, and thought that was so rude. Her blog is nothing but a collection of stolen photos, she really can’t throw around comments like that.
I saw that message too, and being the optimist/naif that I am, I thought, hey great! Allglam is getting all this traffic thanks to this one person! Little did I know. It totally sucks that Allgram is a thief; I had no idea they were lifting photos. For me it was a good resource to know about collections in advance! They were collecting all this info, putting it into once place – convenient for readers – but going about it all the wrong way. If they billed themselves as a site that will direct you to the original posts about collections in advance, no one would have a problem with that… don’t know if advertisers would be into a site like that though. Probably not, which is probably why Allglam is operating like it is! BTW, your photos and swatches are beautiful! But no more Allglam for me!
Thanks so much Lily! No more AllGlam for me too!
I agree — if they turned themselves into a portal to all these blogs with advanced info, I would have bookmarked and even linked them! But no, the site really isn’t about offering convenience for readers, they’re all about the ads. It’s such a turnoff!
not glad this happened, but at least it was fairly easy to get it taken down. It’s really annoying not only b/c you do this for free, but I was under the impression that as long as you include a “via” link to the original blog/site, it was ok to use someone’s photos. how do you feel about that? (not that I”m going to use your swatches any time soon)
Melina Bee! Yes, I’m glad the drama is over
I’m okay with people borrowing a photo from my blog but I think a link back is appropriate. It would be nice to be asked too before they decide to just use my images.
Ha ha! AllGlam.com should be afraid by now that you’ve tracked them down, Pammy.
Haha! Smile!
I hope you’re having an awesome time in the US!
I check allglam.com every now and then just to check whatever happened to them, with all the “countdown and beauty maintenance” front they have. i’m glad until now they’re still not up and running. it must take a lot of time ripping off all those stolen stuffs!
Oh yeah, it’s a lot of work copying images, erasing watermarks, cropping, adding backgrounds and adding your own watermark. They should just use the same amount of effort making their own swatches and taking their own images.
Hi there. I just wanted to let you know that allglam’s website appears to be completely shut down now. =) I never knew they stole content. Thanks for posting this notice up, and keep up the great work!
oh wow! i just saw this now and you’re right! i’m glad it’s down
justice for the bloggers they’ve stolen from