Graphics abuse is a crime!
  Together, we can fight back!

Thanks, Sadie!

Below is a sign, made by Karol of Home Sweet HomePage Graphics, that you may download to use if you ever suspect someone is direct-linking to your graphics. Thanks, Karol!

What is direct-linking? It is when someone links to a graphic or midi on your page without downloading it to their own server, thus stealing your bandwidth. Why is this wrong? Click here to learn more.

How do I use this sign? If you suspect someone of direct-linking to your graphics you can use this sign to replace the graphic that is being direct-linked to. For example, if someone has direct linked to my "Friends" blinkie named friends.gif, I would rename that blinkie something like friends2.gif and then rename this busted graphic friends.gif. If the "Friends" blinkie was direct-linked then this graphic will pop up in its place! Surprise! They've been busted!

Thanks, Karol!
Left click to go to download page

Here is an example of how I caught someone direct-linking to one of the blinkies that I made. This is a screenshot that shows where I replaced one of my blinkies with a "You are so busted!" graphic. When that sign popped up it was proof that this person was direct-linking to my site. This site was reported and shut-down!

To catch a thief!

Thanks to a tip from Donna from Country Tidbits Graphics, I was able to bust yet
another site that was direct linking to my site and had stolen graphics from Donna!

You are so busted!
Click on thumbnail to enlarge

Tips
How to check your site statistics to see if someone is direct-linking to your site:
I use Geocities but I imagine that most website providers offer a way to check your site statistics. I check my site statistics often on pages that would be a likely source for direct linking such as pages that have blinkies, photos, or even music midis. Within the site statistics for individual pages there is usually an option to check for referrer. If you see an unfamiliar url show up as a referrer then you can visit them and see if they have a legitimate reason to be in your site stats. The url of both of the above direct-linkers were right there in my site stats under referrer. If you find a graphic on their page that you have on your page you can view their source (click on View> Source in your Internet Explorer bar) to see if you can determine if they have it linked to you. In the cases above it was obvious because I could see my exact file structure in their html. If you can't tell from viewing the source then you can experiment by replacing the graphic in question with the "busted" graphic. See "How do I use this sign?"

The following link will also assist you in finding who is linking to your site.
Please be aware that most of the links will be legitimate:
http://www.submitcorner.com/Guide/Assessment/linking.shtml

Graphics abuse is far more extensive than just direct-linking. Graphic artists are leaving the net in large numbers due to the way their graphics are being abused. Below are several more sources of information about integrity on the net.

          

    

Plagiarism is another problem for graphic artists. Click on the logo below for more information on how one of our best graphic artists ideas were stolen.

On January 15, 2003, I participated in a "Whitewash Day" organized by Wynne of Wynne's Warbles in which we stripped our blogs of all graphics in support of graphic artists. It was very successful and demonstrated how bleak the internet would be without all the talented graphic artists. It's time that we all take a stand on behalf of graphic artists and fight back against rampant graphics abuse! Wynne is offering this adoption at Tranquility Adoptions that you can have sent to your favorite graphic artists to show your support and appreciation. Click on logo to visit TranquilityAdoptions.