If you’re one of the millions who has changed your Facebook profile photo to that of a celebrity you think you resemble, you may want to think about going back to that old photo of yourself.
According to Facebook’s terms of services policy, “You will not post content or take any action on Facebook that infringes or violates someone else’s rights or otherwise violates the law…We can remove any content or information you post on Facebook if we believe that it violates this Statement.”
In other words, unless you took the photo yourself or bought the rights to it, you could be violating the terms of service and see your account suspended.
The current crazy is part of a week long meme called Doppelganger Week. No one can trace down exactly how or where the meme started, but its picking up steam on Facebook this week.
Thankfully, for those Facebook users who want to let the world know that they think they look like George Clooney, it sounds like there hasn’t been any impetus to pull Doppelganger Week photos.
“Users are responsible for the content they post, but as always, Facebook will respond to requests for removal that it receives from copyright holders,” spokeswoman Brandee Barker told C-Net. “In this case, we have received no such requests.”
Heh. Imagine the publicity stink it would cause if a celebrity’s representation actually did decide to throw a fit. “No, my client doesn’t want to be seen as a look alike to a 14 year old boy”. The Internet would have a field day.
I’m all for protecting intellectual property, but there has to be some common sense involved here. Kudos to Facebook (and I suppose the lawyers out there too) for letting the users have a little fun.
There also needs to be some consideration taken of the fact that we’re talking about public figures. Celebrity types live for free publicity.
Hands Nicholas Cage back his money. Sorry dude, I know you will take anything you can get, but rules are rules.
Tim
But but but…. what if you do look like George Clooney?