This presentation briefly discusses some issues surrounding the redbubble.com user agreement and user agreements in general.

1. redbubble
Online Policy Primer
By Stephen Harris
Net303 Assignment 3
Curtin University
23rd October 2010

2. What is redbubble?
redbubble.com is an online community for artists to
“publish, sell, discuss and purchase art products”
(redbubble User Agreement, 2010).
Image From: http://www.posters.ws/images/371424/mona_lisa_joint.jpg

3. What is redbubble?
redbubble enables users to interact with each
other through comments about artwork and
through mail system (redbubble User Agreement, 2010).
Image From: http://larrydowns.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c079f53ef00e555026f588834-320pi

4. What is redbubble?
redbubble is a fulfillment service that manages
“payment, transaction, manufacturing and customer
service and delivery” of art products (redbubble User
Agreement, 2010).
Image From: http://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0903-2623-
1938_Handyman_Holding_a_Bunch_of_Tools_clipart_image.jpg

5. redbubble user agreement
Like most online services and platforms redbubble has
a user agreement that new members must ‘agree’ to
before becoming a member (redbubble user agreement 2010).
Image From: http://www.workerscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/yes-no-buttons1.jpg

6. Contentious?
Generally speaking, user agreements and
terms of service are becoming more and more
of a contentious issue (Goettke & Christiana
2007 p.1).
Image From: http://blog.pappastax.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/argument.jpg

7. Why so Contentious?
• Most new users do not bother reading the
agreement they are signing up to;
• Therefore they are not aware of the rights over
their own content;
• Not being aware can sometimes mean not having
control over ownership of media despite posting
it themselves (Goettke & Christiana 2007 p.1).

8. Contentious Issues?
User Agreements Raise a whole bunch of issues!!

9. Think About IT....
It is a lot to think about…….

10. When a user uploads media, the redbubble user agreement
states the user “owns copyright to the material and does not
infringe copyrights, moral rights, trade mark or right to
privacy” (redbubble User Agreement, 2010).
Copyright and Ownership
Image From: http://www.bradfox.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/copyright.gif

11. Ownership
This means you own the content so you are
responsible for it. If someone steals your concept or
your design, it is up to you to work out how to solve
the problem. redbubble will not act on your behalf.
Image From: http://www.getrichslowly.org/images/iStock_blankmaze.jpg

12. Screening
redbubble does not manually screen content
before it is displayed (redbubble user agreement 2010).
Image From: http://www.youthserviceslitigation.com/uploads/image/Magnifying%20Glass%202.jpg

13. The Onus is On YOU!
This means redbubble are not responsible or liable for users
infringing copyright or ownership law. This means the onus is
on the user to be aware of the legalities surrounding
uploaded material.
Image From: http://api.ning.com/files/gGROxP-i2IRFrSgZz-cI4GrmB-qCZDFNxzRGNxYmBn7GEt-
CP60DjixXL6JFtUkWhDDFYaGob4kJdqIYO5A1LOvOPST8QvvK/unclesam.jpg

14. Offensive Material
The redbubble user agreement states content
must not contain material that “defames or
vilifies any” (redbubble User Agreement, 2010).
• person,
• race,
• religion,

15. More Contentious Issues
That means material must not be ….

16. Again, that is a lot to think about …….

17. Objective or Subjective?
• All of these terms are subjective depending on
who the audience is.
• What could be deemed ‘offensive’ to one
person, race or religion may differ entirely to
the next person, race or religion (Pownell and Bailey
1999, p.3).

18. Freedom of Expression
In the art world, freedom of expression is important
because it allows artists to explore concepts where
individual and culture come together (Harris, 2008).
Image from: http://www.theglasgowstory.com/images/TGSE01275_m.jpg

19. Censoreship
However redbubble have a complaints based system
that means artwork can be removed because a
person or organisation objects to the artwork being
there (redbubble User Agreement, 2010).
Image from: http://www.thejfblogit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/344402-1.jpg

20. Restricted Expression
A complaints system can lead to artistic
freedom of expression being restricted (August
2007).
Image from: http://www.menassat.com/files/images/censorship2.jpg

21. What Motivates Censoreship?
This means Artistic Censoreship could result
from concerns raised from any of the
following standpoints:
»Political
»Moral
»Cultural
»Security (Vellenvue 2008)

22. Classification
The redbubble user agreement states that users are
responsible for classifying content as ‘safe’ or ‘not safe’ for
workplace viewing (redbubble user agreement 2010).
Image from: http://support.redbubble.com/faqs/advanced/community-guidelines-fine-print

23. But what is ‘Safe’?
What is considered ‘safe for workplace’ (SFW) can
vary from one organisation to the next (Goodchild 2010,
p.1).
Image from: http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/img/2007/12/getting-fired.jpg

24. To be SFW or not be SFW, that is the question
For example, video files are considered ‘not safe’ is some
workplaces simply because of the networking issues
surrounding large files rather than the malicious intent of an
employee or person posting the file (Goodchild 2010, p.1).
Image from: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pMw2glgvKOs/R79fFZbOaYI/AAAAAAAAHTE/INRU-lPEgyI/s400/1-HamletSkullHCSealous.jpg

25. Privacy and Identity
• redbubble do not rent or sell personal
information to any third party such as user
name or email (redbubble privacy agreement, 2010).
• redbubble do not confirm the identity of
registered users apart from having a
registered email address (redbubble user agreement,
2010).

26. Privacy and Identity
• This means users are protected from third
parties trying to profit from profile
information provided during registration (Barbaro
& Zeller 2006, p.1; Brown & Muchira 2004, p.63-64).
• However, redbubble may not be able to
confirm the identity of other registered
members because there is no formal
identification process in place (redbubble user
agreement, 2010)

27. Privacy and Identity
This means redbubble cannot identify
members acting under false pretences or in a
manner that infringes the rights of any person
(redbubble user agreement, 2010).
Image from: http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/funny-pictures-cat-disguised-rabbit.jpg

28. Privacy and Identity
So users should be careful with how much information they
provide in sections of the profile where users can ‘tell us
about yourself’ (Brown & Muchira 2004, p.64).
Image from: http://www.redbubble.com/people/zomboy

29. Privacy and Identity
Because if someone were to misuse this
information redbubble may not be able to
identify who is responsible.
Image from: http://bpo.biz/bpo-news-blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fra1.jpg

30. Age Restriction
The redbubble user agreement states that persons
must be 16 years or older to be eligible to use their
service (redbubble user agreement 2010).
Image from: http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/01/15/coreydelaney_narrowweb__300x310,0.jpg

31. Confirmation of Identity?
However, if a user were to lie about their age, there
is no way redbubble can confirm or deny because
there is no formal identification process.
Image from: http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/wp-content/uploads/question-mark.jpg

32. Termination
The redbubble user agreement states that
“Access to this website may be terminated at
any time by us without notice” (redubble user agreement 2010).

33. Lost Artwork!?!?
This means all that beautiful artwork that you spent
hours producing and posting could be lost forever if
you don’t have it saved somewhere else!
Image from: http://www.gwoltal.myfastmail.com/files/Freaking%20Out

34. You’re Terminated!!
All your content gone……………………FOREVER!!
Image from: http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee254/DrumGod19/terminator_robot.jpg

35. So before you tick that box asking if you agree
with the user agreement ….
Take the time to read and consider what you
are actually agreeing to!

36. Reference
August, O. (2007). The Great Firewall: China's Misguided — and Futile — Attempt to Control
What Happens Online. Wired, 15.11.
Available: http://www.wired.com/politics/security/magazine/15-
11/ff_chinafirewall?currentPage=1.
Barbaro, M., & Zeller, T. (2006, August 9th). A Face Is Exposed for AOL Searcher No. 4417749.
New York Times.
Available: http://w2.eff.org/Privacy/AOL/exhibit_d.pdf.
Brown, M., & Muchira, R. (2004). Investigating the Relationship between Internet Privacy
Concern and Online Purchase Behavior. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, 591), 62-
70.
Available: http://www.csulb.edu/web/journals/jecr/issues/20041/Paper6.pdf
Goodchild, J. (2010). Not safe for work: What’s acceptable computer use in today’s office?
Retrieved 21st October 2010 from http://www.csoonline.com/article/596980/not-safe-for-
work-what-s-acceptable-computer-use-in-today-s-office-?page=1

37. Harris L. (2008). Defend artistic freedom: The case against censorship, retrieved
21st October 2010 from http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/39637
Pownell, D., and Bailey, G. (1999). “Electronic fences or free-range students?
Should schools use Internet filtering software?” Learning and Leading with
Technology, 27, 50–57.
redbubble user agreement (2010) retrieved 17th October 2010 from
http://www.redbubble.com/agreement.
redbubble privacy agreement (2010) retrieved 17th October 2010 from
http://www.redbubble.com/privacy.
Villeneuve, N. (2006). The filtering matrix: Integrated mechanisms of information
control and the demarcation of borders in cyberspace. First Monday, 11(1).
Available:
http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1307/12
27

38. Image Reference
16 year old Corey Worthington [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 23, 2010 from
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/01/15/coreydelaney_narrowweb__300x310,0.jpg
Cat disguised as Rabbit [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/funny-pictures-cat-disguised-rabbit.jpg
Cartoon Man Holding Tools [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 18, 2010 from:
http://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0903-
26231938_Handyman_Holding_a_Bunch_of_Tools_clipart_image.jpg
Copyright Symbol [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 18, 2010 from http://www.bradfox.com/blog/wp-
content/uploads/2009/08/copyright.gif
Figure Holding Questions Mark Sign [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 23, 2010 from
http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/wp-content/uploads/question-mark.jpg
Getting Fired [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/img/2007/12/getting-fired.jpg
Hamlett [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pMw2glgvKOs/R79fFZbOaYI/AAAAAAAAHTE/INRU-lPEgyI/s400/1-
HamletSkullHCSealous.jpg

39. Kids Arguing Cartoon [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 18, 2010 from
http://blog.pappastax.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/argument.jpg
Kids Painting [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://www.theglasgowstory.com/images/TGSE01275_m.jpg
Man Putting Stop Hand Up [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://www.thejfblogit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/344402-1.jpg
Man Standing Outside Maze [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://www.getrichslowly.org/images/iStock_blankmaze.jpg
Man With Magnifying Glass [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 18, 2010 from
http://www.youthserviceslitigation.com/uploads/image/Magnifying%20Glass%202.jpg
Mona Lisa Smoking[Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 17, 2010 from:
http://www.posters.ws/images/371424/mona_lisa_joint.jpg
Not Safe for Work Filter[Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 17, 2010 from:
http://support.redbubble.com/faqs/advanced/community-guidelines-fine-print

40. Question Mark Male Silhouette [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://bpo.biz/bpo-news-blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fra1.jpg
Stick Figure Speaking [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 18, 2010 from:
http://larrydowns.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c079f53ef00e555026f588834-320pi
Terminator Robot [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee254/DrumGod19/terminator_robot.jpg
Uncle Sam [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 17, 2010 from:
http://api.ning.com/files/gGROxP-i2IRFrSgZz-cI4GrmB-qCZDFNxzRGNxYmBn7GEt-
CP60DjixXL6JFtUkWhDDFYaGob4kJdqIYO5A1LOvOPST8QvvK/unclesam.jpg
Woman Freaking Out [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://www.gwoltal.myfastmail.com/files/Freaking%20Out
Yes No Button [Image] (n.d). Retrieved October 18, 2010 from
http://www.workerscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/yes-no-buttons1.jpg
Zomboy profile [Image] (n.d) Retrieved October 21, 2010 from
http://www.redbubble.com/people/zomboy