Re: Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon

by **PeterMac** 04.11.12 16:50

ShuBob wrote:Why is this being treated as a spoof?

Because, whatever we may already think of TM, this is too horrible to imagine as real.
The wristbands, T shirts, holiday packs, flying lanterns, and the rest were gross enough.
This must be a spoof. But why, and by whom ?

by Guest 04.11.12 16:53

PeterMac wrote:
ShuBob wrote:Why is this being treated as a spoof?
Because, whatever we may already think of TM, this is too horrible to imagine as real.
The wristbands, T shirts, holiday packs, flying lanterns, and the rest were gross enough.
This must be a spoof. But why, and by whom ?

Surely they would sell the items themselves on their own website, and have the company make them. There would at least be a pic of the items and say they were available through Amazon..... wouldn't they? If this company is selling them, are they donating to the Find Madleine website?

by ShuBob 04.11.12 16:54

PeterMac wrote:
ShuBob wrote:Why is this being treated as a spoof?
Because, whatever we may already think of TM, this is too horrible to imagine as real.
The wristbands, T shirts, holiday packs, flying lanterns, and the rest were gross enough.
This must be a spoof. But why, and by whom ?

Not really as far as I'm concerned!

Having said that, it could be someone unrelated to them trying to cash in. I'm not convinced it's a spoof.

by Guest 04.11.12 17:01

ShuBob wrote:
PeterMac wrote:
ShuBob wrote:Why is this being treated as a spoof?
Because, whatever we may already think of TM, this is too horrible to imagine as real.
The wristbands, T shirts, holiday packs, flying lanterns, and the rest were gross enough.
This must be a spoof. But why, and by whom ?

Not really as far as I'm concerned!

Having said that, it could be someone unrelated to them trying to cash in. I'm not convinced it's a spoof.

It could also be someone related to them who, witnessing the money roll in, is trying to jump on the gravy train himself or herself.

by ShuBob 04.11.12 17:03

Quite, Portia.

by sami 04.11.12 18:57

Sadly, I would not be certain it is a spoof either. Chances are it is, purely because of their selling the spotty man suspect print. The other merchandise I could see them selling.

Maybe it is the first step in the closing down of the official fund, thereby branching out into other retailers, to make money, but in not such an obvious way. That would not surprise me either.

If it were a blue tennis bag for sale, then I would be certain it is a spoof. Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon - Page 2 110921

Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon - Page 2 110921

by Guest 04.11.12 19:02

Perhaps we could think of other items which would guarantee this is a spoof.

Baby alarms.

Heavy duty air freshener which remove all smells, even those of dead bodies.

Economy size bottles of Calpol.

by Gillyspot 04.11.12 23:31

This is definitely NOT a spoof.

Art247 have a website where they go so much further than just a tote bag

http://www.art247.com/Search/?print=1&search=madeleine+mccann&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Unit 30 Maitland Road
Lion Barn Ind. Est.
Needham Market
IP6 8NZ

How low can someone go?

by **Tony Bennett** 04.11.12 23:39

Gillyspot wrote:This is definitely NOT a spoof.

Art247 have a website where they go so much further than just a tote bag

http://www.art247.com/Search/?print=1&search=madeleine+mccann&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Unit 30 Maitland Road
Lion Barn Ind. Est.
Needham Market
IP6 8NZ

How low can someone go?

On that link, the copyright details (not quite sure what they mean, though) come up as follows:

Copyright Details

Images are 100% unofficial, licensed independently through press associations and independent photographers and are not licensed or endorsed by the individuals depicted in the images themselves.

by Gillyspot 04.11.12 23:43

Of course K & G McCann have had Madeleine effectively copyrighted so I imagine that a certain company (I have found out who the company & directors really are) will be in trouble tomorrow.

by Guest 05.11.12 8:48

The copyright details must mean that the images have been used without the permission of the McCanns so it's hardly likely that they will allow anyone other than themselves to make money out of their daughter.

by ShuBob 05.11.12 11:17

Jean wrote:The copyright details must mean that the images have been used without the permission of the McCanns so it's hardly likely that they will allow anyone other than themselves to make money out of their daughter.

Quite.

IIRC, the couple complained about TB using an image of Maddie on one of his booklets without permission. They may also have complained about Amaral's use of Maddie's image on the cover of The Truth of the Lie but I'm not certain.

by ShuBob 05.11.12 11:19

Gillyspot wrote:This is definitely NOT a spoof.

Art247 have a website where they go so much further than just a tote bag

http://www.art247.com/Search/?print=1&search=madeleine+mccann&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Unit 30 Maitland Road
Lion Barn Ind. Est.
Needham Market
IP6 8NZ

How low can someone go?

They can't go any lower than the McCanns surely?

by ShuBob 05.11.12 11:26

Tony Bennett wrote:
Gillyspot wrote:This is definitely NOT a spoof.

Art247 have a website where they go so much further than just a tote bag

http://www.art247.com/Search/?print=1&search=madeleine+mccann&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Unit 30 Maitland Road
Lion Barn Ind. Est.
Needham Market
IP6 8NZ

How low can someone go?
On that link, the copyright details (not quite sure what they mean, though) come up as follows:

Copyright Details

Images are 100% unofficial, licensed independently through press associations and independent photographers and are not licensed or endorsed by the individuals depicted in the images themselves.

I think it means that they've got permission from collective copyright agencies who take a fee from them for use of copyrighted material and then pass some of the money to the copyright owners. So, instead of going to individual copyright owners to ask for permission, you go to these agencies. They are in effect "copyright dealers". The owners generally don't have a say in how the materials are used unless they specifically stipulate exceptions.

by sami 05.11.12 12:32

Maybe the spotty man will come forward to complain about his image being used. Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon - Page 2 302873

Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon - Page 2 302873

by Guest 05.11.12 13:30

ShuBob wrote:
Tony Bennett wrote:
Gillyspot wrote:This is definitely NOT a spoof.

Art247 have a website where they go so much further than just a tote bag

http://www.art247.com/Search/?print=1&search=madeleine+mccann&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Unit 30 Maitland Road
Lion Barn Ind. Est.
Needham Market
IP6 8NZ

How low can someone go?
On that link, the copyright details (not quite sure what they mean, though) come up as follows:

Copyright Details

Images are 100% unofficial, licensed independently through press associations and independent photographers and are not licensed or endorsed by the individuals depicted in the images themselves.

I think it means that they've got permission from collective copyright agencies who take a fee from them for use of copyrighted material and then pass some of the money to the copyright owners. So, instead of going to individual copyright owners to ask for permission, you go to these agencies. They are in effect "copyright dealers". The owners generally don't have a say in how the materials are used unless they specifically stipulate exceptions.

Knowing the financial acumen of TM, would they really have forgotten to stipulate execptions as to taste, propriety, sort of goods etc etc? Or would they willingly have signed away all of these considerations in order to have some agency make them more quick bucks? Surely, that is hard to conceive, or isn't it?

by ShuBob 05.11.12 15:57

Portia, IMO those items being offered for sale on Art247's website are right up the McCanns' street. I'm more surprised that folk are more willing to believe it's a spoof site (it may be) than a real business Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon - Page 2 526998

Madeleine McCann shopping bags and fine art prints - for sale on Amazon - Page 2 526998

by chrissie 05.11.12 16:25

Posted on their FB page two hours ago:

We've had some questions regarding our online
store. The only merchandise authorised by us is merchandise sold in our
online store. We use Google Checkout for our online store. We ask that
you do not purchase outside our online store. We ...
are
not responsible for other online stores.

In addition,
merchandise sold outside of our online store is violating copyright law.
Our age progression image is copyrighted to Teri Blythe and cannot be
used without written permission from her.

http://findmadeleine.com/online_store/

ETA:

Official
Find Madeleine Campaign
Siobhan
Jebb
We definitely want people sharing the picture. It's when people use
Madeleine's image to make money without our or the copyright holder's
permission we have an issue with.
51
minutes ago
· 1

by ShuBob 05.11.12 17:04

Thanks Chrissie for the information.

Snipped from your post:

"Our age progression image is copyrighted to Teri Blythe and cannot be used without written permission from her. "

Have they confirmed with Teri that she hasn't given permission to third parties to use the image? What about the artist who came up with "Spotty Man"?

by sami 05.11.12 17:56

Why would this company take it upon themselves to use Madeleine images for products - of all the images in all of the world, why those ? I cannot see how they could consider it to be a best selling item.

The age progression might be copyright to the artist, what about Madeleine's own image - is that not of the McCanns ? Why have they not complained about that ?

I notice it is the original age progression image used, not the most recent. It was stated in May when the new image was released that it had been commissioned by Scotland Yard, I assume the copyright will remain vested in the artist. However it is interesting it is the older image and not the up to date one that has been reproduced.

I tend to agree with ShuBob, I would not be one little bit surprised if team McCann are behind this, perhaps as sleeping partners. I just don't get why any company would suddenly now decide to produce merchandise, nearly six years on.

by **PeterMac** 05.11.12 18:33

chrissie wrote:Posted on their FB page two hours ago

Which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that they follow this site.
Good evening, Kate. Good evening, Gerry.

We are only trying to find the truth, you know ! Any chance of a bit of help?
No. I thought not.

by aiyoyo 05.11.12 22:40

chrissie wrote:Posted on their FB page two hours ago:

We've had some questions regarding our online
store. The only merchandise authorised by us is merchandise sold in our
online store. We use Google Checkout for our online store. We ask that
you do not purchase outside our online store. We ...
are
not responsible for other online stores.

In addition,
merchandise sold outside of our online store is violating copyright law.
Our age progression image is copyrighted to Teri Blythe and cannot be
used without written permission from her.

http://findmadeleine.com/online_store/

ETA:

Official
Find Madeleine Campaign
Siobhan
Jebb
We definitely want people sharing the picture. It's when people use
Madeleine's image to make money without our or the copyright holder's
permission we have an issue with.
51
minutes ago
· 1

They should look into the mirror when they object to other people making money on the back of Maddie.
They are the biggest abuser of her name and image. They should hang their head in shame.

by ShuBob 05.11.12 23:18

I've read a subsequent update from the McCanns on their facebook page and they claim to be in touch with Amazon to "have the stores taken down". Now, assuming it's someone using the images without permission (even though they claim to have permission), would it not make more sense for the McCanns to ask for the Maddie products to be removed from the store rather than have the whole store taken down? Why are they so militant in their approach?

by Guest 05.11.12 23:20

I am hoping they only mean the offending items and not the whole website. Please tell me that the McCanns aren't THAT vindictive?

by ShuBob 05.11.12 23:37

Well, they say they've contacted Amazon and I quote "to have the stores taken down". I don't know how many stores on Amazon are selling unofficial Maddie merchandise but from their facebook entry, they want them taken down- not just the offending products!

by Miraflores 06.11.12 0:03

I would imagine that the print of the spotty man is seen as indirectly making fun of the McCanns which would be one reason for objecting.

by aiyoyo 06.11.12 1:17

ShuBob wrote:I've read a subsequent update from the McCanns on their facebook page and they claim to be in touch with Amazon to "have the stores taken down". Now, assuming it's someone using the images without permission (even though they claim to have permission), would it not make more sense for the McCanns to ask for the Maddie products to be removed from the store rather than have the whole store taken down? Why are they so militant in their approach?

They must be cursing they didnt think of the idea first...

When they sell products in her name should people also boycott their website?
Perhaps people should write to their gate hoster to object to them abuser Maddie's name to line their pocket.

After all their accounts show not all the fund is used for search as they claimed. So where does the profit from products goes to?

by Gillyspot 06.11.12 6:34

Jean wrote:I am hoping they only mean the offending items and not the whole website. Please tell me that the McCanns aren't THAT vindictive?

Looking at how many instances of "libel" Carter-Ruck claimed initially on behalf of the McCanns' - I can confirm that YES they are that vindictive! sad

Of course any normal person may have thought - good! these people are getting the word out about our daughter & helping raise interest in our search - K & G though seem to think - someone is making money that we aren't getting a healthy percentage of so lets- "have the stores taken down"

by sami 06.11.12 6:42

I thought the idea behind the image being used was to keep Madeleine in the public eye, a reminder to look for her. So regardless of who is distributing the merchandise, surely the main aim is being met ? Of course, if generating money for the McCanns company is the main aim, that is not being met.

I think they want the store taken down as they have no right (imo) to ask for the spotty man to be taken off sale. They don't own that. I wonder about the poster of the newspaper print of the two of them also, have they copyrighted themselves and all of the front page news stories from years gone by ? Much easier to kill the entire store.

by Gillyspot 06.11.12 7:40

Morning Sami.

IMO the McCanns "agenda" has never been searching for Madeleine. If it was then the first images they provided to UK & Portuguese media would have been representative ones of how she looked in May 2007 NOT old cuter pictures. Their "wider agenda" has always been to provide themselves with the safety of money so they can sue others (having spoken to journos & lawyers from Fleet Street they are known as one of the most litigious couples ever).

I see on FB page Gurney etc are criticising this amazon store for sharing older "age progression" picture. Possibly Ms Gurney could as official "Find Madeleine" FB page why they still have iconic red dress pic (of Madeleine when she was 2) as their avatar.

Oh but that would never do to criticise the McCanns' now would it sarcastic