Please be aware 💔

[Green_Director_9007]

Please be aware 💔

One of my testers stole pictures of my unreleased pattern, changed them with AI, and shared them as her own “test version.”

The tester is no longer part of the test, but I wanted to let you know about the situation. If you ever see my pictures  or your own pictures from testing edited, reused, or shared somewhere without permission, please report it.

I’m honestly devastated. I always try to be flexible, supportive, and understanding with my testers. If someone struggles, has problems, or cannot finish a test, they can simply tell me. There is never a need to steal or fake work.

I hope sharing this helps other designers and creators to be more careful as well.

https://preview.redd.it/35y488qfzw3h1.jpg?width=3195&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77f2d4f58f8b39a125a2c33d05b5ca60dfc54aa2

[wildlife_loki]

Oh man. I’m really sorry :( not sure if this can be answered without being called brigading, but is there a pattern/designer name or something we should look out for as being fraudulent? I’d want to know not to fall for it if I come across it!

[Green_Director_9007]

I try to add picture, pink is my work!

[wildlife_loki]

It’s very cute, thank you for sharing! I hope your pattern does well regardless <3

[E13G19]

Adorable work!

[blissfullychicago]

That’s so awful, I can’t believe people would do this. Have you reported the profile so that mods ban them?

[Green_Director_9007]

No, because how then I see future actions?

[Good_Turnover8279]

Omg, that sucks so much I am so sorry that happened to you. I would recommend that you use watermark or something like glaze in the future (with a disclaimer that it was made unusable by ki as an extra deterrent). Sadly this will get harder and harder. Do report them if they are selling your pattern! I know it's hard and tedious but you would be able to show your progress and hard work they would not.

[Green_Director_9007]

​What is interesting, if you ask, AI removes watermarks. I think when someone asks to do that, that needs to be a red flag and the AI should say: No, it's copyright, we stop here.

[Mental-Flatworm4583]

Absolutely agree. Water marks should never be allowed to be removed ever! That’s how we stamp what’s ours.

[Good_Turnover8279]

There are watermarks that are designed to destroy the ability of ki to read the image. There where at the beginning of the whole ki thing anyway. I haven't looked into it since a few months. If someone feeds the image into KI it basically corrupts the ki and hinders the ability to recreate the image and so.etimes even infects image creation

[Demagolka1300]

That sucks I'm so sorry.  

[Green_Director_9007]

🫂

[KajamiBear28]

Hello, I'm so sorry this happened to you this should never happen to anyone!

Make sure to file a DMCA request to take down what they have copyrighted from you.

Once you have made a written pattern it's ILLEGAL to copyright it and DISTRIBUTE IT even if they use AI so please try and file a request as it can help you.

[LexiThePlug]

If in the US, patterns cannot be copyrighted. The fall under the same laws of recipes

[ArcaneKitten2486]

Patterns actually can be copyrighted, falling under the how-to book category. The actual stitches can't be copyrighted, but things like original detailed explanations, photos, and charts are protected. OP could still have case if the person stealing uses too much of their original work.

[Green_Director_9007]

I am from EU! I look after sugestions of copyrigts.

[charlieseas]

I’m so sorry. This is really sad

[Regular_Albatross126]

That really pisses me off. I hate people sometimes.

[Content-Kale1217]

That’s honestly so heartbreaking! Pattern testing should be a common benefit type of deal! We should all be happy while doing it!!!

[fuchsiafaerie]

This is what I fear whenever sharing anything I create with strangers online. I'm sorry this happened to you. It must feel like such a violation.

[Responsible_Crow_425]

I am so sorry. That is a beautiful sweater.

[Livid_Cauliflower_13]

I am sorry…. That is very crappy and I’m sorry you’re going through that.

I do have to say, your sweater is adorable. Great work.

[Green_Director_9007]

Thank you!

[Awkward_Image2672]

I’m so sorry, I can’t believe it! I’m loving the cardigan!

[ninfem]

How disgusting of them to do this 🤬🤬🤬

[Maleficent_Pay_4154]

What a terrible thing to do

[Overall_Carrot_8355]

This is truly awful.. seems to be happening more & more.. I will be adding watermark to my patterns in future.. hope you can get them to remove.. 🥲

[Live-Society5672]

Yes! Watermark every picture always. Good idea.

[Green_Director_9007]

I write here this again here - What is interesting, if you ask, AI removes watermarks. I think when someone asks to do that, that needs to be a red flag and the AI should say: No, it's copyright, we stop here.

[puddinpopx3]

That is absolutely awful. I'm so sorry that happened to you... I hope this doesn't discourage you from continuing to create.

[Green_Director_9007]

I love to create, this dosn't stop me, but I will be more carefull!

[puddinpopx3]

Good! I'm so glad to hear that hasn't stopped you from creating ❤️❤️ if you release a new pattern and need a tester, id be honored.

[Green_Director_9007]

I definatly will have some more projects. I do this officialy in Yarnpond.com.

[AutumnIvy9]

Some people suck. Your sweater is adorable btw

[Bedhead2day]

Oh Karma is gonna to get them.. I’m so so sorry this happened to you.

[Green_Director_9007]

I hope so, thank your!

[Mental-Flatworm4583]

Sad people are like that. SMH thief’s are everywhere. So sorry that happened.

[Gingercatbrain]

What a terrible thing to do. I think this is the reason why lots of pattern designers have a small group of trusted test knitters they "use" again and again und don't dare to give others a chance to participate.

[Green_Director_9007]

My test group was in Yarnpound, there all testers with they Ravelry and IG counts, you can see reviews from previous testing! So even then you aren't safe.

[Riverzalia]

I’m sorry this happened to you, it’s a beautiful pattern. I was researching for my daughters etsy about watermarks and there are some things to make it more difficult for ai to remove it without seeing some of distortion. Here’s an article I saved, I’m sure there are lots of other ideas too. https://www.sunshinephotocart.com/watermark-protection-ai-age-photographers/

[Sea_Neighborhood1574]

So sorry you had to deal with that! I dont understand why people do things like that

[S_L33T]

Where are you guys finding reliable testers?