Pinterest's fraud triangle is a classic.
The "fraud triangle" is comprised of motivation, opportunity, and rationalization.
What is the motivation?
- The admiration of "followers."
- The admiration of "repinners."
- The admiration of "commenters."
- Satisfying a compulsion/addiction to "collect things" and "own" a vast digital hoard.
- Fantasy ownership, like "Second Life."
- The pinmarklet facilitates infringement.
- Pinterest supplies the platform.
- Pinterest supplies the social media context that makes up the "incentives."
- The belief that there is no legal consequence.
- "No copyright infringement intended"
- Sharing is caring.
- "Artists will create anyway, so financial incentives are moot."
- Authors, artists and musicians are going to have to adapt to the new reality that I've taken it upon myself to distribute their work in their stead.
- I'm not stealing anything.
- I'm not using it commercially.
- Art is meant to be shared. By me. To gain the esteem of strangers on the internet.
- Don't publish it if you care about copyright.
- I'm giving you invaluable publicity.
- I wouldn't license your stupid photograph anyway.
- You're not losing.
- No one should make a living from artistic pursuits.
- Go mop floors.
- You should be flattered.
“Unfortunately finding talent and figuring out how to get in between them and as much of their money as possible is a great way to get real rich.”– Thomas Edison
Does Pinterest exploit its users to get between content creators and their incomes?
