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Original poster

Photo on internet of DS1 melting down- should it be removed?

48 replies

PeachyBobbingParty · 16/10/2006 11:09

OK, as you knoew Sam tkaes part in a a sort of public theatre on a regular basis. This year he has had several related meltfowns,a nd we are considering withdrawing him from next year. In the meantime, a popular website ahs published two photos of DS melting down (theya re aware of Sam). If I ask them to remove it, I know what they'll say: 'it's outr site,m we do what we like' (has happned before to other people), and certainly it is a public domain this ahs happned. it amked me feel very uncomfortable however, makes Sam look bad (has happened for about ten minutes in about 8 hours worth of events) and for people who don't know, makes us as a performing society look unprofessional.

Opinions please? Feel rather uncomfortable about this from Sam's POV. He's not a pay epr view freak show.

OP posts:
TwigTwoolett · 16/10/2006 11:12

I think you have every right to request them very sensitively to take them down .. isn't it an invasion of privacy to print pictures of children anyway

I would go in very pleasantly to begin with and ask them nicely .. try to get hold of the most senior person you can .. explain nicely all your (extremely valid) reasons for wanting the pictures replaced

PretendFriend · 16/10/2006 11:15

These days permission has to be given by parents for photographs of any child to be published anywhere, doesn't it? So even if you gave your permission initially (???? were you asked for it?), I don't see why you can't withdraw it now and then they'd have to take the picture down, wouldn't they?

Earlybird · 16/10/2006 11:15

Did you ever sign any sort of release form giving them permission to take/use photos of your son? Do they have your OK to use his likeness? Was their any fine print in any document you signed that would authorise it?

Back in my media days, we had to get people to sign a release form giving permission for use if they were identifiable from the image. But, I am not a legal expert so don't know the finer points of use of an image on a website.

Earlybird · 16/10/2006 11:16

there, not their

redbullbloodandbump · 16/10/2006 11:16

gosh that is horrible i would want it reomoved straight away if it was ds, i would of thought they would of needed your permission to put the photos up??
get on to them straight away.

Original poster
PeachyBobbingParty · 16/10/2006 11:17

It's run by a pair of poeple who are not known for their sensitivity, as a hobby.

Them posting children is generally accepted as they are a fan site fir this sort of public performance, but I see what you mean

TBH I think it may be a personal dig, as we challenged them on something last year (they banned us from taking part in an event because of a lost piece of paperwork and we didn't just meekly accept it.

I am also worried because they ahve a habit of posting things like ' So and so wants this picture taken off but we own this site and it is an infringement of our control to rewquest this, and as we have a policy of publishing what we want then we won't' and then putting the reason you asked.... it gets a few hundred thousand visotrs a year, not sure I need Sams' SN details aplashed to the workd

going to have to accept it aren't I? The only option is keep Sam away, he misses out on enough as it is

OP posts:
redbullbloodandbump · 16/10/2006 11:20

dont sit back and take it.

maybe threaten them if they dont remove it with soliciters as you have not signed anything to say they can use the photos, surely it has to come under human rights act???

zippitippitoes · 16/10/2006 11:20

it sounds a very strange site..I would have thought they would take it down if asked, why have it up anyway is it informative for anyone..it doesn't sound like it

PretendFriend · 16/10/2006 11:21

I just googled on publishing children's photos and the most relevant bit I could find was this from Hampshire County Council:

zippitippitoes · 16/10/2006 11:22

do you have legal advice attached to your house insurance i would ask them for advice or ask a solicitor in a free half hour if they refuse to remove it or label it nastily

BATtymumma · 16/10/2006 11:27

if you have not given permission for your child to be photgraphed and then have those pictures published it is your legal right to DEMAND they be removed.

if they refuse i would contact the police as it is an infringment of his rights.

i would writte to them explaining that"after seeking legal advice" you request that the picture is removed from teh site immediatly as they have not been granted permission to post such photo's in thier publcation.

im sure someone who is better at research can find you a quote of law that covers this, and you can add it.

they may be unreasonable but if your firm and seem like your not going to back down hopefully they will remove it rather than face a court battle

Original poster
PeachyBobbingParty · 16/10/2006 11:28

It's not labelled it's just there (with Dh and I trying to persuade Sam to stand up as he is lying down)

If i request it's removal and theya gree, 17 other kids will be disappointed.

lets's face it, they're just a pair of shites who don't get it.

OP posts:
Original poster
PeachyBobbingParty · 16/10/2006 11:28

(by the 17 other kids, I mean they'll remove all the coverage of the float)

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 16/10/2006 11:29

can't they edit the photo or find an alternative one?

aaronsmummy · 16/10/2006 11:39

By the sound of things they will not be sensitive to any approach you make. Think you might have to just put up with it. What a shame there are such people in the world, most of us would have been sensitive enough not to post the picture.

BATtymumma · 16/10/2006 11:42

put a good spin on it and say "look what a fantastic actor our son is, his portrayal of a paddy throwing toddler was very convincing"

belgo · 16/10/2006 11:45

People have tried to have websites closed for far less then that. You have every right to ask them to remove it.

Original poster
PeachyBobbingParty · 16/10/2006 11:46

LOL Batty- convincing indeed!

Could have been worse, at least I'm not restraining him in thatb particular photo LOL!

I think I'm just going to blovk the view they have of him when I see them coming in future. Sad though it is.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/10/2006 11:49

I would not wait until next year but withdraw him now from this theatre group.

How they can publish such photos for all and sundry to see on the Net is beyond me. Its just their selfish vanity and egos being played out here. Do they not realise or care, from your comments it seems not.

TBH I would not approach the web hosts due to them being pig ignorant but instead their internet service provider (they themselves are only hosts to an ISP). Another way is to contact a Solicitor (some do free half hour consults).

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/10/2006 11:51

Are these two the owners of the theatre group that Sam is part of or are they "fans"?. I am wondering what exact connection they have to this theatre group.

diNOLOOKINGOVERYOURSHOULDERsau · 16/10/2006 11:51

Oh God, I'd definitely want it taken down, definitely. I think you're quite within your rights.

hub2dee · 16/10/2006 11:52

Going from pretend's text - re: people might not want their images taken as they're in a care home, I think you could assert that applies to your ds.

It may be their site btw, but they can't actually just upload whatever photos they like, there are guidelines about this kind of thing.

btw - if you want to link to the site do it from another thread (with a name change if necessary) as I think they can get referring / linking URL from their web logs and then identify this thread etc.

They sound like a most unpleasant pair of w@nkers.

hub2dee · 16/10/2006 11:54

peachy - not wanting to be more dense than I am, but do these people come to children's theatre productions to take photos specifically to take the p*ss out of people, or is the very very large majority of their work / site just theatre reviews / pcitures of performances etc. etc. ?

Original poster
PeachyBobbingParty · 16/10/2006 12:00

It's pictures of performances, tehy're the biggest site oft ehir kind but they also eliminated the biggest group because one of them was an ex, or somesuch- thereby offensding several hundred people they ahd no issue with.

They don't run the theatre group; that's done by some of DH's oldest friends and we help, and run the club website- think that might P them off too. But every club has one, it's just that most contract to these people (who run their own server business)and Dh used to be a programmer sop does it himself

Lots of reasons why they dislike us, the ex mentioned above is also inour group now

Not sure why Sam should get it, but of we pull out DS2 and DS3 lose out too- they've lost so much already (no friends round etc etc etc)

OP posts:
scotlou · 16/10/2006 12:03

Got to say that I'm really surprised they could publish the photo on the site without seeking permission. My ds's school asks for consent every year re internet (and I always say no)