Seriously disappointed

I don't have anything kind of freebies to share today, but I did have something that concerned me when I checked my email today and I wanted to just approach you bloggers out there. I received an email to my Teacher's Notebook from a fellow blogger who shall remain anonymous. She informed me that a teacher in her district purchased a set of my Common Core Word Wall cards for a certain grade level and posted them on her districts common access drive that ALL teachers in her district have access to. I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware that these are for personal use only. They are not for sharing with an entire district. I don't mind people sharing things like this with their grade level, but an entire district really is kind of appalling. I just hope that everyone understands how much time was spent on creating those and that it really isn't fair to just give away to who knows how many people. I was just a little bummed to learn this when I came home tonight. 

What do you all think I should do?? I don't even know if I can really find out who did it, but I would appreciate any advice!

40 comments:

  1. :( So sorry!!
    You are generous enough that you would let us share with our team!!! :)
    (I didn't even know you would like that)
    I don't think that's right because I purchased a set and so should everyone else that uses it!!! :)
    Sorry!
    Your work is awesome!!!
    ❤ Sandra
    Sweet Times in First
    sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

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    1. I mean, I just have to be realistic. I know people are going to share with close colleagues and finding out that someone shared something with a couple of people doesn't bother me that much, but when it is an entire district...that's kinda bothersome. =( Thanks for the sweet words though!

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  2. I don't have any great advice but just wanted to send ya a virtual hug. My district has one of those access drives but thankfully most teachers use it respectfully and only post teacher created materials from within the district. Hugs!
    I'm greedy, I don't share my purchases with my grade level. Mainly because I don't have the energy/time to explain what TpT or TN is! ;)
    Lisa
    Stories From Second

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  3. Oh hon...so sorry to hear that. :( I hope that person realizes sharing with an entire district is not right...and they'll remove it from the drive soon.

    Gladys
    http://teachinginhighheels.blogspot.com

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  4. :( Sometimes I think to myself "Are people serious?" Teachers devote HOURS and HOURS to creating files and products. They should be rewarded fairly. I share the link or idea of what's out there with my team, but I don't give them the products. Fair is fair. Sorry this happened. :) I once had someone take my Mimio files and post them on their own account on MimioConnect and they were from my own campus. I know how you feel.

    Tanya
    A Class Act

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  5. Oh my goodness, that's awful!! I bought them and when another teacher asked for a copy, I politely directed them to your TN store (You're work is awesome rightfully deserves to be paid for by all who want them!). If you have the school district's email, I would contact the school superintendent (they're email should be available on the site), and ask for them to be removed! I'm so sorry this happened :(

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  6. Oh my gosh! I have no idea what to do, but that is really not nice. I guess you could contact the technology department of that district if you wanted to. Someone there might be able to tell you what to do.

    Buzzing with Ms. B

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  7. I'm sorry! Those cards are so cute and it is apparent you spent so much time on them. Hopefully it will all get sorted out. Let us know what happens and we will all be hoping for the best for you!

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  8. omgosh!! how horrible! I even have a hard rime sharing things with my grade level that I purchase from y'all...just because I would feel bad for short-cutting y'all. I would email the school district and let them know.
    thwteacherscauldron.blogspot.com

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  9. I'm sorry :( I have no idea what to do, but I'm sorry. If it was me, I would be bummed too!

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  10. Wow, that is ridiculous. You have spent countless hours creating products that you have graciously offered up for sale for a fraction of what it would cost us if we had to get things in books like we used to do "in the olden days". I'm sorry that this has happened to you.

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  11. Aggg.... this is terrible!! I guess I couldn't imagine thinking this was ok.. I like Kiah's idea!!

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  12. Oh no! So sorry to hear about this, I would be frustrated too! You should know that your hard work is SO appreciated! Hope it all works out!

    Amanda

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  13. You have made a huge step just by posting this on your blog. You have to ask for a removal and make it clear that this is not ok.

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  14. Ginger,
    I agree with Kiah. I think it would be beneficial to all if you contacted the superintendent or assistant superintendent and talked to them about copyright issues. I think they would be mortified and would immediately take down your items!

    Okay, this may be way out there ... but, what if you offered to let them put each grade level on their site for a set fee? Like $60 per grade level? (I teach in a fairly small district so this would be fair. Maybe it should be more in bigger districts???) Anyway, just a stray thought.
    Camille
    An Open Door

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  15. That's terrible. Unfortunately, this happens too much. I don't think some people realize that they are cheating you when they do this. If I was you, I would contact the teacher and point out that your resources are only for an individual classroom. Ask her to remove them from the drive. Hopefully, she will realize that this isn't fair to you. I hope you get it worked out.

    Swimming into Second

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  16. This is disturbing and I am sorry it is happening to you. I wonder how often these things really do happen. Do you have a means to contact or reply to the anonymous person who sent you the message? Maybe we all need to come up with some sort of disclaimer to put up in all of our shops' descriptions to discusses sharing. You would think that there would be a little more consideration. Thank you for all of your hard work! I hope it doesn't discourage you from future creations!
    ❤Mrs. McKown
    Little Literacy Learners

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  17. I'm sorry this happened to you. I would contact the District. Anything that is copyrighted should not be placed on a shared drive; it is meant for only the person that purchased it.

    Ali
    alischepis(at)gmail.com

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  18. Oh no!!! This is always such a fear of mine when I post things for sale. I know it happens a lot and I just don't think everyone realizes how long it takes to make things. I'm so sorry this happened. Let us know what you find out!!

    Jodi
    Fun In First

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  19. I agree with all the previous comments. Everyone who puts their materials on TN or TPT worked hard on them and deserve the right to have them payed for. I think you should try and contact this district or have the anonymous blogger mention something. So sorry, and I hope it gets worked out!
    ~Sarah
    funintitlemath.blogspot.com

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  20. This makes me really sad. I have had our district provide the teachers with materials that I know someone has for sale on TPT. I've been really torn about what to do. I don't know if they purchased the units for everyone is the district but my guess is they didn't. I don't use it if I can help it. I think some people just don't get the whole copyright law. I think you should definitely contact the superintendent or someone. This isn't right.

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  21. If you know what district it is I would contact the superintendent, most school districts have a copyright policy. The super can make sure that your product is taken down from the site, and maybe s/he could also send out an email to the district telling why it was taken down and share how they can purchase the product legally. You might even get a few new customers.

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  22. I've been chewing on this and I would advise you see if their is technology coordinator for the district that you could contact/elementary curriculum coordinator. You might see change much faster this way. Please let us know what happens!

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  23. If you can contact the district, you should. Your Common Core things are wonderful. You should be paid for your work. You might think about a district or school price, just in case.

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  24. That is so wrong :( I'm sorry. It makes me glad I am not a big crafty person who makes all of my own stuff because I would be TICKED. Clearly the person who emailed you knows who it is....and I would be asking for district information because that is a huge violation of copyright. It could lead to being fired in my district, that's how serious we take that. :(

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  25. Oh no Ginger! I am so, so sorry to hear this!! I hope things can be resolved somehow!
    Kristen

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  26. Oh no! That's awful. You work so hard on all your work just to have it given away. I hope that you get it all figured out.

    Sara :)

    Smiling In Second Grade

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  27. I think you need to send that teacher an email and asked for it to be removed from the site PROMPTLY!!!! So disrespectful!!!

    Sorry you have to deal with this!

    ❤ Mor Zrihen from...
    A Teacher's Treasure
    Teaching Treasures Shop

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  28. You know I've wondered how people handle this. With blogs and Pinterest, it seems that people just disregard copyright rules these days. I hope you can come up with a good solution.

    I have to tell you, I look at your blog each day while I eat my lunch at school. We aren't able to leave comments through our school system. Just know there are plenty of us lurking. :)

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  29. That is horrible! When I purchase something, I feel it shouldn't be shared with others! I don't even share it with my grade level. That is waaayyyy disrespectful! I am sooo sorry this has happened. I would email her, as well, and ask for it to be removed.

    Hugs to you,
    Rebecca
    The Teacher's Chatterbox

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  30. I think if you can find out the name of the school district, you should write to them and ask them to please remove your work from their webpage. That is appalling!

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  31. You have every right to be upset. I'd be very angry! Hugs...

    TAG! You’re it!
    Check out my blog… :)
    Melly<><

    Stapler’s Strategies for Sizzlin' Second Graders!

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  32. That is pretty horrible. I've learned so much from your giving and kindness that I hope only good things come from this. Hopefully more people will find your blog, they'll see that you're a true giver and want to support your efforts. They will cause you're a top notch person.

    I've found that no matter the value of the product if people don't have a vested interest in it only a few will use it fully. Others who got it free or borrowed or what not might neglect and misuse.

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  34. I totally understand your disappointment! A teacher should know better!! I am so thankful for all you teacher bloggers who are so generous to share your creations, whether free or through your stores. I don't want to know how much money I have spent but I do know that everything I have bought has been worth every penny! Just know how much you are appreciated and that this teacher is in the minority. It is possible she didn't do it intentionally, so I would definitely try to contact her and resolve it. Again thank you for all you do =)

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  35. I am so sorry to hear that. It's ashamed that your hard work is being shared with an entire district! I agree with what others have said...see if you can contact the district. On a bright note...I tagged you! Come check it out :)

    Bonnie
    Living A Wonderful Life

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  36. First of all WOW I can't believe someone would do that, and second sorry to pile this on you but you've been tagged. (hop on over to my blog to see it). Maybe it will be a time out for you and just some old fashioned fun. Happy weekend and so sorry some have ethical issues, as in no ethics.
    Tammy

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  37. I'm sorry to hear about your problem. But may be that teacher wanted to learn the people of her district by your cards.
    Exam Papers

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  38. I tagged you! Come on by my blog and check it out! :) Have a great week!!!

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