“Tech” bloggers generally get most of the tech in the articles they write dead wrong, so you shouldn’t be surprised when they get the legal aspects of it completely wrong.

I hate Facebook but I need it for various groups that I belong to, or I wouldn’t have it.  I loved Instagram ’cause it was fun and the community was great.  This is too much though.

I mean, the TOS doesn’t specifically call out your weendis, but it probably should.

Hello Instagram folks. Please know that I LOVE Instagram but if the reports I am reading in BoingBoing.net and elsewhere are right regarding your new terms of service, I am afraid I will not only terminate my account, but use my position as a web blogger and online culture commentator to encourage my colleagues, coworkers, subscribers and FB friends to do the same.

I am referring to the following:

” To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.”

Please understand-I am a multi-media professional and can in no way, shape, or form allow a third party to exploit my work–however casual–without compensating me fairly.

I would rather pay a small subscription fee or one-time charge to use Instagram. Dotcoms have to make money, this is understood. But for me to give away my intellectual property rights and/or digital media rights simply for the privilege of making my photos look like old Polaroids is asking far too much.

Not only will I delete my Instagram account and not permit this, but I will also loudly and annoyingly encourage everyone I know to do the same.

Sorry, Instagram, but some us know the value of our work and even if we’re not actively trying to sell these images, we certainly are NOT willing to let them be exploited by third parties for no compensation whatsoever. Charge me a subscription fee, ask me to pay for an app, whatever–I am very willing to do this. I’m not willing to stand still for that other foolish thing you want to do.

Have a nice day, please reconsider, and better luck next time.

Joe Wallace
Turntabling.net

One of these days Americans are going to learn that whether it’s technology, radio, television or the Internet, consolidation hurts everyone except the corporatists at the very top of the food chain.

As for seeing other people’s pictures, I don’t have to be on instagram to search it. I can still see those other perspectives if I like. And as far as a cellphone is concerned, I use Hipstamatic on an ipod touch, and my provider has warned me that they will soon drop 2G coverage, and that I will really, really need to get a new phone… But that has more to do with not needing a phone I can’t use for most of the day – they’re not allowed at work – than desire.