Aquabid auction Home Discus # 1219929199

[Apistomaster]

Hello friends,
It has come to my attention that a seller called assortedaquatics on www.aquabid.com has appropriated one of my photographs of one of my past Blue discus without my permission to represent Blue Discus he claims to have for sale.

This has continued despite 2 direct messages to this unethical seller to cease and desist using my photographic property and despite my sending my complaint to the aquabid webmaster.
This is the photograph that is being used by this unethical seller. You may find it interesting to know this fish is not even alive anymore. It is a good photo of a good fish but that fish was never his, nor the photo nor have I given permission to use it.

I have a fellow simplydiscus friend to thank for bringing this affront to my attention for which I am grateful.

[Lisachromis]

Listing policies.

http://www.aquabid.com/faq/index.php?a=18

Report the use of copyrighted images here:

http://www.aquabid.com/report.htm


URL of the auction above
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/aucti...cus&1219929199

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks for letting us know. Beautiful fish and picture though.

[April]

send him a bill. my webmaster sends a bill for the use of his pictures. .

[Kindredspirit]

Mat, I wonder how he got your picture? That just bugs me

[trebor69]

hahaha a quote from the auction

"Water change because of storms, caused problems with fish. cancelling auctions"

[yim11]

This is an interesting read (you are mentioned Apistomaster):

http://www.aquaboards.com/viewtopic.php?id=2869

Kind of surprised the discus didn't last in the outdoor pools...

Either way, looks like this guy is about done.

Thanks,
-jim

[wgtaylor]

Mat, I wonder how he got your picture? That just bugs me

Marie, whenever someone posts a picture on the internet all you have to do is right click on the picture and save it to your computers hard drive.

Hey Larry, guess good things happen to bad people. He evidently was keeping his discus in ponds out in his yard. They got sick.....can't imagine.
There has been many complaints about this individual on aquabid and he may not be around much longer. Here is a contact for him, name John Tobia.

johnnyhalfdollar@hotmail.com
112 Cordell Ave.
Interlachen Florida 32148

Best of luck, Bill

[Kindredspirit]

Marie, whenever someone posts a picture on the internet all you have to do is right click on the picture and save it to your computers hard drive.

Not always. But yeah you are correct ~ I had forgotten about that!

[Lee C]

I use aquabid....mostly for my guppies and there are quite a few with great reputations as sellers, also in the discus section.....some are even sponsors on Simply.
My advice would be to stick with Simply Sponsors for your discus....and guppies too


regards,
Lee

[mikel]

Discus in a pond?????? WOW!!! Either this guy is really money driven, or incredibly ignorant. But most likely, both....

I would threaten to take him to court if he does not stop using your picture to sell the fish he apparently does not have...mike

[Greg Richardson]

In the right climate discus in a pond works rather well. Not to many places like that in the US though. LOL!

[Apistomaster]

Thanks for all your responses and leads on contacting this guy.
It sounds like he has built in the means to his own failure. Needless to say, no responses have been forthcoming.
Aquabid does need to improve their contact and reporting problems system. The form that they provide fails to lead to a working server, at least at this time.


Imitation is supposed to be the highest form of flattery so I should feel honored that he decided to steal my photo to use as representative of his fish.

Aquabid is a source for many good deals and I have had many good experiences with both selling and buying but it is necessary to be careful and especially when it comes to expensive fish.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the link to the other forum discussing this unscrupulous vendor. It was very interesting reading.