p.2 #4 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
I've sent Fred a note to keep him in the loop. I'd personally prefer to keep this here, so that (hopefully) once it's resolved, Sunway can save a little face. Whatever he feels is appropriate is fine, though.
I'm not going to go on and on about this, but I will post updates when it's relevant.
p.2 #7 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
I was about to purchase a sunway clamp for my monopod, and possibly a second ballhead... now I will pursue other options. This behavior toward their own customer base seems insanely stupid...
p.2 #8 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
I will be boycotting Sunway until Smiert has been very adequately compensated.
Dave
Mar 28, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #9 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
They charge over $ 400 for their new ballheads. And steal you photos !! Incredible!!
Especially with the promotion thread from Sunwayphoto here a couple of weeks ago
p.2 #11 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
Sunway has responded, and we're working this out. I believe they're honestly committed to fixing this, and I don't think it will happen again. Part of making a very public complaint like this is being willing to work things out if they respond, and they have done so. I am very appreciate of them taking that step.
p.2 #14 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
Yes, I do register my work, but didn't register that one. I wish I had, but it wouldn't help much in recovering from a Chinese manufacturer, anyway. I doubt they'll use it again, but if their distributor in Dallas does it again (via Amazon or eBay, etc.), I'll pursue it further.
At this point, about all that is left is making sure that other photographers have access to this information.
p.2 #15 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
Though I'm nobody, add me to the list of ones here who will NEVER buy anything from this company as I despise IP theft and piracy.
Before this, I was actually considering the XB-52 ballhead though I thought its price was too high for a product from a company not yet established as a quality manufacturer. With this type of behavior, they never will be.
Mar 30, 2012 at 04:42 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #16 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
p.2 #17 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
Important update:
I received a very nice email from Sunway this morning. They've apologized for what they did, as well as for the delay, and they've taken down the last of the images that are still in use. This is excellent progress.
We're now communicating, and I think we can resolve this.
Through this whole thing, what I wanted most was to communicate to them how strongly most photographers feel about intellectual property. I wish this incident had never happened, but I think they understand this better now, and I doubt they will make this mistake again. That's a good step.
When something like this happens, each day that goes by without a response makes it harder for the company to face the customer, and harder to reach a solution. So: thank you, Winnie and Richard, for contacting me. That is a very important step in developing a healthy relationship with the photographic community.
p.2 #19 · Hey, Sunway: That's my photograph. Please stop the copyright infringement.
Thanks, Joe. I'm trying to strike a balance between ignoring it and becoming a full-on bunny boiler. Hopefully, I'm not too much of the latter....
In talking to Sunway, it sounds like there have been some staff turnover issues that were part of the problem. They're not using that as an excuse, which is good, and they seem to genuinely want to make amends.
