The Real Deal About Pinterest

Okay, those of you who follow my Pinterest might have noticed I've deleted every board but Bucket List and Color My World. Let me explain why.

You see, I came across this article earlier, and after that I came down with a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. I'm re-reading the Pinterest TOS, and these stick out like a cardinal in a flock of doves:


You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Pinterest and its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any claims, suits, proceedings, disputes, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees (including costs of defense of claims, suits or proceedings brought by third parties), arising out of or in any way related to (i) your access to or use of the Services or Pinterest Content, (ii) your User Content, or (iii) your breach of any of these Terms.


YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICES, PINTEREST CONTENT, AND USER CONTENT REMAINS WITH YOU AND YOU USE THE SERVICES AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU AGREE THAT NEITHER PINTEREST NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING THE SERVICES WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR LOSS OF GOODWILL, SERVICE INTERRUPTION, COMPUTER DAMAGE OR SYSTEM FAILURE OR THE COST OF SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR FROM THE SERVICES, OR FROM THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, USER CONTENT, PINTEREST CONTENT, OR FROM ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INTERACTIONS OR MEETINGS WITH OTHER USERS OF THE SERVICES OR OTHER PERSONS WITH WHOM YOU COMMUNICATE OR INTERACT AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT PINTEREST HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.


Those are fairly standard in a TOS. But the article I liked to earlier states that those REALLY mean that if some photographer sees one of their photos on someone's board and decides to sue, you might be forced to get a lawyer for yourself AND Pinterest. While this might sound like an exaggeration, note that this article was written by a lawyer/photographer, so bear with me.


I'm an admittedly paranoid person, so the moment I finished that article I began deleting pins and boards like a madman. I only have two boards left, because Color My World now only features palates from Design Seeds, which has a Pin It button next to each palate. I'm debating whether or not I should delete Bucket List, but I believe it's okay.
I'm also going through my blog and removing images that are not my own as necessary, because with POPA/SIPPA and other laws looming, you can never be too careful. I'm also dropping Pinterest and image related linkups, just in case. At least it's an excuse to work on photography and focus on more font central pictures.

Don't let me ruin your fun, though. I simply want people to be aware. I still love Pinterest, but I think I'll just look instead pin for now.