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New Coloring Page Policy

Screen Shot 2013-03-21 at 10.02.39 AMWe’ve just implemented a new coloring page policy on Squidoo. Starting today coloring pages are on the SquidDon’t list unless they are original drawings, designs or or content rich pages that add value to Squidoo.

We’ve found that most coloring pages lack personal content and originality. They tend to be links lists, have copyrighted material or are just plain spam.

In the next few weeks we’ll be evaluating coloring pages and locking or warning lenses that we consider to be a SquidDon’t.

You’re still welcome to create content rich pages that share coloring books, coloring sheets, crayons and colored pencils using the Amazon Modules. We also welcome artists to share their own work like this, this and this.

Image Credit

Bonnie Diczhazy (bdkz) is Editor of the SquidooHQ Blog and Head of Community here at Squidoo.com.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/RedSirenJulie RedSirenJulie

    One of the search terms that nearly always shows up in my stats on each lens I make is ‘coloring pages’. I have often wondered why this is as my lenses don’t have anything to do with coloring pages.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Ramkitten Ramkitten

      I’ve noticed that, too.

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/malina123 malina123

        I noticed the terms coloring pages and tattoos come when someone Google+-es your lens.

    • http://www.EarningFreeMoney.com/ Louida M

      I was wondering the same thing! I’ve never created a coloring pages lens.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/tembrooke tembrooke

    I think this is a great policy, and I’m so pleased to see it finally implemented! There have been so many copyright abuses with this topic and that endangers the site as a whole.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/thenumber73 thenumber73

    Another great step in the right direction. :)

    *likes*

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LadyDuck LadyDuck

    Thanks to keep us updated of upcoming changes. I agree with your new policy.

  • http://www.EarningFreeMoney.com/ Louida M

    Thanks for letting us know about this Bonnie!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/aj2008 aj2008

    This is very good news :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/britflorida britflorida

    Excellent!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/servantoftheLord servantoftheLord

    Squidoo just keeps getting better every day. Thanks for all your hard work!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/bakerwoman bakerwoman

    Great progress we’re making. Thanks for the heads up.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Cari_Kay Cari_Kay

    I never understood the purpose of these coloring pages. I think this is a welcome change

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Morgannafay Morgannafay

    This is wonderful news! I’m glad to see original coloring page art celebrated.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sockii sockii

    Terrific news and new policy. Thank you! (And I’ll be checking as I only have a few coloring pages myself, but I hope they will pass the test.)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/thrivingmom thrivingmom

    I think this is a great policy. I hope it encourages artists to create lenses displaying their own unique coloring pages now that they won’t get lost in the sea of spammy and/or pirated ones.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      It’s certainly encouraging this artist!

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/ckolander ckolander

      It certainly encourages me also! :)

  • BLemley

    Thanks for the positive changes to make Squidoo Squidoo-ier!Thanks for the update and news! B : )

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MelissaNRodgz MelissaNRodgz

    Thanks for keeping us updated on the new policies at Squidoo

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/squidoopets squidoopets

    Wonderful! This is great news for artists, thank-you! You guys are on a real roll, your hard work is very much appreciated. I am so happy to be here during this exciting time.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Waxing-Lyrical Waxing-Lyrical

    Appreciate this new policy. Thank you for the update.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/lilymom24 lilymom24

    Good news! =)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/TamaraKajari TamaraKajari

    Excellent!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/fanfreluche fanfreluche

    Excellent news again. You guys are on a roll. It’s nice to see so many things changing for the best.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/jsr54 jsr54

    I would avoid the coloring pages lens because of the reasons you state. They did not appeal to me. Now I will know the good ones will remain on Squidoo. Good idea.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/webmavern webmavern

    This is great news thanks!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MarcoG MarcoG

    Thumbs up – makes perfect sense. Thanks :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/pkmcr pkmcr

    This is great news for those who bring their own unique work to the site some of which I have seen and have been amazed by the talent of the individuals.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/savateuse savateuse

    Another piece of excellent news! Thanks :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/victel victel

    About time. Coloring pages are copyrighted (well many of them) and so many lenses are in Tier 1 with nothing BUT coloring page links.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/StrongMay StrongMay

      Oh, dear!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/linsm76 linsm76

    I am just learning what coloring pages are. Can we use images from sites like ClipArt as long as they fall under Creative Commons License. I believe it is StockPhoto that sends free images to me, but they are ready for download and I believe they maintain the watermark (stock photo) on the image.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

    Hmm. my I ask about this topic. I have a coloring website and promote my OWN work in my lenses. The picture contains a mark/logo of my site and I linked the images directly to the place where the image was uploaded. It’s correct or cross the Squid policy?

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      It’s your art. Uploading it elsewhere and using a Squidoo lens as a useful guide should be fine. It’s not like you can download stuff FROM Squidoo. As long as it’s clear that it’s yours (and therefore YOU are allowed to directly link to it and skip the site’s credits, etc), it should be fine. It’s exactly what I did on the lens linked above.

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

        yes. Thanks so much for responding my question. And yes I give grant access to everyone who will share my work even without any credit to my site because my brand/logo is printed there. But not for editing :)

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

          Yep – the trick will just be making it clear on the lens that it’s all yours ^_^

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/DaveStone13 DaveStone13

    A very pleasant surprise. Some of them are great, but a lot a just tag along lens trying to mimic success without content or creativity. Bravo again on this next step in the overhaul at Squidoo!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/kiwinana71 kiwinana71

    Thanks for letting us know what is required for coloring websites.

  • http://www.shopmissmalaprop.com/ Mallory

    Thank goodness! I never really understood why there were so many of these, but I agree, most of the ones I’ve seen seem very spammy!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/lakeerieartists lakeerieartists

    Glad to see this. Excellent decision.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/DvdMovieGirl DvdMovieGirl

    Good news indeed!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/melaniekaren melaniekaren

    This is a marvelous decision. Thank you.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/kitty222 kitty222

    A good idea; I’ve seen enough “coloring page” Lenses to wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/knitstricken knitstricken

    Thanks for the examples of good-ness. Much appreciated.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/dustytoes dustytoes

    I have 2 coloring page lenses, only because I couldn’t fit them all on one. I’ve had many good comments from people looking for what I have, and thank me for providing them – they are original pictures, drawn by me. Now I only hope they are good enough to remain.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw

    Just heard about this…very good news! One more thing being done to clean the site up :) I have a question though….when you say their own work, so are you going to permit the coloring page that is a creative commons image, or a public domain image? Nothing new or unique about them, and certainly not the lensmasters own work.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sockii sockii

      Good question! I have one page where I used public domain photos to then crop, alter and create coloring page images from. So the resulting coloring pages are unique and did take me a fair amount of time to create. I guess I’ll wait and see if it gets locked or not…my others are from my own artwork or photography so I assume they should be ok.

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/louc99com louc99com

        yes. it’s good decision. Whole images in many website has a coloring images from various kids character such as Disney and other famous movie. And they’re drawing the images based on it’s figure. But what’s going on here if the lensmasters also drew the character from famous kids figure too? it’s broke the rules or ok ?

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/bdkz bdkz

        If there are a few links to creative commons image, or a public domain and the rest of the lens is content rich and adds value to Squidoo we’ll probably keep it up. The bottom line is that we’re looking for personal and unique content.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw

          This is the tricky part…one prominent coloring page used the cover of a book they had for sale, and put the image up as their own. I reported it, they took it down, now they have tons of just public domain images, stuff for sale, etc. You will even find off the wall content on some of these lenses, everything and the kitchen sink in some. Very unlike some of the real artists on here.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sockii sockii

          Thanks for the quick response, Bonnie! I trust that with this situation HQ will be taking a close look at each situation and deciding what is best because it can vary so much.

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/bdkz bdkz

            Yes, we are.

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/stylishimo stylishimo

            That’s good to hear :) I have my own art on most of my coloring lenses, and tutorials, I was hoping you would look at each lens and not just a blanket locking.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

      Layering for the specific. we drew a coloring pages based on some tv series, movie and many picture. it’s not easy as you can imagine. but I don’t know what’s the rule in Squid for this drawing method. hopefully the Giant would clear this.

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Pastiche Pastiche

        My understanding of copyright when it comes to copyright images or characters is that even your fan art cannot be published as it is a violation of the original copyright holder. I learned this as an illustrator when assigned to draw some Disney characters for a stamp album. The art could not be used.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sockii sockii

          Fan art is a very tricky subject. There are some copyright holders who are fine with it, but it can depend on the context and the extent of reproduction (ie, it sometimes may be fine to make and sell a one-off painting or a very limited print run, but not to mass produce or try to sell the image or a likeness of an individual that may be copyright protected.) I’ve had to deal with and work around these issues for years on the convention circuit and with scifi media, and to be on the safe side with Squidoo I would always say err on the side of caution unless you’ve gotten an explicit ok from the powers that be (ie, the copyright holders.)

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

            I think the fan art always safe if we don’t sell our work if it’s taken from other copyrighted characters such as Mickey from Disney. This is the best way to tell someone else how we loves the figure by drawing it.

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

            Unfortunately, as soon as it goes onto a Squidoo lens, you enter into the realm of making money. It’s definitely complicated – I wouldn’t worry about a ‘gallery’ lens much, but a colouring page one is actively disseminating fan art, POSSIBLY in competition with the original show/whatever. It’s tricky.

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

            Especially considering that a lot of cartoons DO have their own official colouring books.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/JJNW JJNW

    YAY!!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/nancycarol nancycarol

    I’m so glad to see this new policy on coloring pages. Squidoo and our lensmasters reputations can only improve with the implementation of this change. Thanks so much!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LiliLove LiliLove

    I’ve seen many coloring pages lenses and never understood the purpose. Thanks for letting us know!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Jillynn Jillynn

    Wonderful decision! Thanks.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/CosmeticMom CosmeticMom

    Wish I had the talent like many of our artist friends here at Squidoo have, but stick people are about the extent of my talent. Thank you for the new policy, it should help with copyrighted material.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rockingretro2 rockingretro2

    Great policy change!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/AtomicGirl AtomicGirl

    I officially want HQ to have my baby now! THANK YOU, SQUIDOO!!!!

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      It’d be a pretty weird baby, you’d have trouble finding clothes to fit all the tentacles :D

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

        LOL. Nice joke Flynn, maybe you’ll be honored to design the clothes :D

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

          Now there’s an idea…

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

            Show me :p

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/TxCowboyDancer TxCowboyDancer

      You made me LOL! Literally. Thanks for the laugh

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/lyndamakaracreations lyndamakaracreations

    Hooray!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MarcellaCarlton MarcellaCarlton

    Good idea!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/spa-products spa-products

    Great idea – make it original or don’t at all !!!

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw

      Amen!!!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Pastiche Pastiche

    Bless you. I can stop holding my breath and temper now … but I will also double-eval my lenses to be sure they’re compliant.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw

      I am thrilled for you, especially after so many of your pages, and art was stolen by others making their own coloring pages here! Nice to see the good guys win once in awhile :)

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/PaulOnBooks PaulOnBooks

        Would any of the anonymous keyboard warriors (six of you at the moment) who’ve given Kathy’s post a thumbs down like to come back and explain why you object? Are you against her praise of an exemplary lensmaster? Dio you approve of stealing to make colouring pages? Do you not approve of the good guys winning? Do tell.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

          I don’t think they got any of my jokes, either! A true tragedy. The world needs more laughter.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

          Scroll down and read her other comments

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

            Uh, she only HAS about three other comments. And they’re pretty harmless. And that shouldn’t really affect the rating of this specific comment. All my stuff posted before Paulonbook’s comment was voted down, too, including the jokes and the replies I made to you, and it happened in one go.

            The point is that it looks persons or people are systematically voting down people based on the fact they dared to post. Which is petty, really, and has happened before. It’s not a huge deal (oh noes, a downvote on a comment!), but it’s pretty obvious.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw

          I wonder if the people that will be affected negatively by this Policy think I am responsible for it…LOL, not sure when I got all that power :) But hey, doesn’t matter to me who thinks I am responsible, I still am thrilled for Lee, and every other real artist on site.

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

            Stop that, I’ve been trying to claim it. It is clear that my lenses were just that awesome that HQ changed the whole policy for me >.> (and I shall stick my fingers in my ears and hum loudly at anyone that brings logic into this debate).

          • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

            You have good lens with unbeatable art inside. From now, let’s our hands talks by drawing more and more art work. This is endless debate and very wasting time if we continue to talk based on logic as you said.

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Hexadecimal Hexadecimal

        Agreed—work needs to be credited to the original artist IF it’s even allowed to be re-posted. I hate seeing someone trying to pass off another persons work as their own.

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/dashberlin dashberlin

        She has no coloring lens but why she looks like an artist that her job has been steal by the other. I think there’s something wrong with her.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/PaulOnBooks PaulOnBooks

          Interesting – no lenses on this commenter’s account.

        • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw

          Interesting indeed. I am a photographer, not a pen and ink artist, however does that mean I cannot be happy the site is getting rid of a lot of copyright violations? Caring for others is part of the community I have helped build in the past 4 years, and that includes caring about the artists that have been ripped off here.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      I’m amazed you didn’t pass out!

  • http://twitter.com/ajgodinho Anthony Godinho

    Have been away on vacation, for the past month or so, and have seen a few policy changes implemented by Squidoo HQ. Great to see these positive changes including this one. Looking forward to catching up. Thanks for this update Bonnie!

  • https://plus.google.com/104416249503115298326/about Treathyl FOX

    “I’m surprisingly OK with this.”

    Borrowed that quote from the TV show, “Suite Life of Zach and Cody” which my daughter watches continuously. But seriously, I’m OK with this policy. :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/aceofhearts aceofhearts

    It think all these changes are going to make everyone’s lens more valuable to the squidoo community and raise the ratings on google.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/seegreen seegreen

    I disagree with this. I’ve seen a lot of celebrity pages and also gardening and home pages that have extensive copyrighted content. As a parent and also as a volunteer these sorts of pages would have been gold to me. I can’t count the times I had to dash off to an event and be in charge of the child care area and needed to find colouring pages on a specific topic fast. A list of pages on this topic that was updated was a treasure. These pages are extremely valuable to those who use them. It’s disappointing that they have been singled out because some people believe that if they don’t use them then they can’t be of value. How is it possible to have a content rich colouring page? Considering the amount of traffic they pull in it is obvious that there are a lot of people who value these pages. I understand that squidoo is no longer a curation site but I hope that this rule will apply to many other topics.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

      The rules is good for artist and I agree with your opinion. This rule should be applied to many other topics.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/floppypoppygifts floppypoppygifts

    Uh-oh~ I better go check out my Christmas lenses! I think I have one or two coloring page links in there. Cheers~cb

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/getmoreinfo getmoreinfo

    Thanks for the update Bonnie, I was pretty new when all the coloring pages type lenses were around, I think I may have bought a few from other lensmasters but I ended up putting activity books on them instead of actual printable colorsheets.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/happynutritionist happynutritionist

    Thanks for the info..I have a couple that are just additions to lenses that already have other content and link to the source. I usually edit/write over the image to click on it for the actual. Am guessing that is okay, will know in time:-) Thanks for letting us know in advance about the various changes.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/RenaissanceWoman2010 RenaissanceWoman2010

    Thanks for the update, Bonnie. I appreciate anything that helps Squidoo maintain its reputation for high quality content.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/kindoak kindoak

    Thanks Bonnie, this new policy certainly is a good move in the right direction! I’m liking the cleanup process that is under way and looking forward to see how this all pans out under the year. If for nothing else, it will be easier for deserving lenses to get into the limelight.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Serenia Serenia

    good – I see so many lenses that are nothing but colouring pages and precious little else. I hope they all get locked – especially all those that use DISNEY cartoon characters. I doubt there will be much in the way of original art work for colouring pages.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SoundFinance SoundFinance

    Good news. I’ve never seen much point in the ones I’ve seen. Great news for artists I’m sure.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/d-artist d-artist

    That’s a wonderful idea…I hope this will be of Original artist works and not copied…

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/GwenAuthor1 GwenAuthor1

    thank you

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/VickiSims VickiSims

    I like this policy – I think it will make Squidoo better.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Birdyman Birdyman

    happy with this policy change :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/artbyrodriguez artbyrodriguez

    This is an excellent change.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/ologsinquito ologsinquito

    Can someone please explain what a coloring page is? Thanks so much.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Susan52 Susan52

      Click on the three links at the end of Bonnie’s post above, ologsinquito, to see three good examples that fall within the new policy.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LindaJM LindaJM

    Interesting to see all the changes here on Squidoo! I’m glad artists will still be able to create and display their own coloring pages here.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/desertdarlene desertdarlene

    I am glad for this and I hope that our fantastic Squidoo artists can be encouraged to come up with their own unique coloring pages rather than ride on a famous name like Disney or something similar.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/TheLifestyleChanger TheLifestyleChanger

    A boring element has also crept into this phenomena. Great policy.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Nangaye Nangaye

    Another positive step. Good news.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/AlleyCatLane AlleyCatLane

    Wonderful news!!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/neoclaydolls neoclaydolls

    Another blow for spammers/pirates! Keep up the good job!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Teri-Singer Teri-Singer

    Thanks for the update. It’s too easy to forget and take things for granted. These reminders help me to stay in tuned with originality.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/TanoCalvenoa TanoCalvenoa

    I like the term “SquidDon’t.”

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/seenamary seenamary

    Coloring pages which violate copyrights should go, but otherwise, a ready collection of pictures arranged theme-wise may be helpful to people with kids, homeschoolers and kindergarten teachers, and I don’t see any harm in them even if they don’t have much content.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/jennysue19 jennysue19

    Not being a parent I never saw the point of these, but they should at least comply with copyright law

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Titia Titia

    Oh good news after good news is almost too much for my old brain. I’m standing on the path you’ve chosen to walk, clapping my hands and waving my little flag for the Squidoo tsjuk tsjuk good deed train. Sending my special good deed hugs.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/emmajo emmajo

    this is GREAT!!!!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/StephenJParkin StephenJParkin

    I totally agree with this policy as it is so easy to be abusive in this area.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/AmaranthBee AmaranthBee

    I agree. Good idea :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MysticTurtle MysticTurtle

    Yea! Glad to hear the copycats will be gone and original artwork stays.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Denmarkguy Denmarkguy

    I think this is GREAT! I allows a space for artists to create and get exposure for their own original work they are proud of and passionate about… but all that spammy stuff that made me scratch my head will slowly (or not) go away…

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/alexmasters alexmasters

    Thanks for the information on this policy, must admit that I was not aware there were issues with these kinds of lenses. Noted for the future, however.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/ChefWilliam ChefWilliam

    It was interesting because I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a coloring page lens. This is a great place for my niece to display some of her art work and blog a little at the same time. I will see her next week and introduce her to Sqyidoo.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/imagelist imagelist

    great info…

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/PaxLamprey PaxLamprey

    Nice new policy. Thanks!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=697866439 Summer Fey Foovay

    NOW you do this. I left over my original artwork being stolen over a year ago – and no response from Squidoo. I was the first person to offer coloring pages through Squidoo. Thanks. Too late now, of course.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

      This is the time for you to comeback and show em what coloring pages should be. :)

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/georgevtucker georgevtucker

      Or you could just continue to gripe about it. I wonder how far that’ll get you?

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/PaulOnBooks PaulOnBooks

        I thought it a great shame that a talented artist was forced out of Squidoo – and I can well understand her feelings now.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      Ouch, that really sucks. Getting your art stolen is one of the most frustrating things about the internet, especially because it’s so hard to get people to take it seriously. I’m not going to tell you that you “must” come back, but I hope things pick up for you, and that if you do, you do well.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Hexadecimal Hexadecimal

      Gotta remember that in the grand scheme of things online distribution of art (and other non-tangible goods) is in its infancy; in fact online selling is still relatively new—being on the cutting edge you’re bound to take a few slices. Regardless of your line of work we’ve all been ripped off at some point, best revenge is continually creating good quality & soon you’ll be known for it, copycats notwithstanding =]

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Cinnamonbite Cinnamonbite

        No excuse for stealing.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Cinnamonbite Cinnamonbite

      Hmmm, have you talked to a lawyer? If the host allows stealing, you can force them, BY LAW, to remove your work.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/EditorDave EditorDave

    Hmm. Good move .. and like others have said, this protects the rights of the original artists. And should apply likewise to folks who take others’ photos, writing, and so on. As a photographer, I don’t mind if folks ask if they can use my images (and if they offer a payment, I’m flattered and will generally let it go on a one-use basis). But I don’t like it when folks just snag stuff and post it as theirs. I’ve been thinking of turning some of my photos into “coloring pages” … but then again, I don’t cater to the elementary and pre-school kids that much. Since I now have a 6-year-old granddaughter, I may reconsider and try the coloring page bit with my own photos… just to see what happens.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MaryMitchell MaryMitchell

    This seems like a great change for the better!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/CraftyMcClever CraftyMcClever

    Thank you for that. I want more value than links when I read on the site.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SmokeybonesJr SmokeybonesJr

    Nice, I was thinking about these, now I dont have to worry…

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/artbyrodriguez artbyrodriguez

    I’ve been considering a coloring page lens for awhile, using my own art, but I had an unsure feel about it. Is there a lens that instructs ‘How To’ create the lens, the dos and don’s, and explains the downloading, etc? I did a search and didn’t find anything.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/DChance DChance

    I didn’t know that was a problem. I think it would be easy to link the pictures back to the original page.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/jange52 jange52

    This is good news. I can start sharing my creations. :-)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/GiftRepSandy GiftRepSandy

    Makes perfect sense to me! I always wondered about those Color Page sites!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

    I’m just going to pretend that it was the two I made last week, for fun, that were just so amazing that HQ decided to get rid of the competition for me :D

    (More seriously, I think this is a good thing. I put hours and hours into drawing, did it because I chose to, cause I enjoyed it and because I wanted there to be at least a couple of good examples, but the whole time I knew they would never have a chance, they’d be lost in the spam.)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/aesta1 aesta1

    Definitely a step towards the right direction buy this has to be applied to other topics as well not just colouring pages.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Deborah-Diane Deborah-Diane

    I think is is a great decision. I have never done a coloring page and have wondered about all the coloring pages on here, so I am glad you are clarifying things in that regard. Thanks!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/northerntrials northerntrials

    Nice. It is a well thought out policy… thanks.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/RoseGrace RoseGrace

    I love this policy. Any steps taken to help protect copyright are a welcome sign! :)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SgtCecil SgtCecil

    Pages that are link lists and lacking originality? On the Internets? No, it can’t be!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/NausetViews NausetViews

    Another great policy change. This is wonderful news. Thank you!

  • skiesgreen

    Lenses like this are not good to look at an I have wondered why they were allowed. Good advice and nice info. thanks

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SuzyShopping SuzyShopping

    I don’t know much about coloring pages never having done any, but the general feeling in these comments seems to be that it’s a good thing!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/JeffGilbert JeffGilbert

    I’ve seen some great coloring book pages, and I hope those are not taken down as a result of this policy. I mean these were great pages generated by very experienced lens makers. anyway, just my two cents.

  • JanTB

    Copyright protection is great. Thanks for implementing this one.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/earthybirthymama earthybirthymama

    I think focusing on unique content is a great idea.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/NickOct NickOct

    Anything that improves the quality of the site can’t be bad.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/adventuretravelshop adventuretravelshop

    That’s fine by me!! It’s all necessary stuff.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/TopChristmasToysGifts TopChristmasToysGifts

    Great idea to help protect copyright.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/ted-batchelor ted-batchelor

    That should free up about 500 spaces in tier one (ok a minor exaggeration!) A good idea ;-)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/designsbyharriet designsbyharriet

    I never heard of coloring pages. But if you think they are misused then they should be limited. Lots of artists can create great coloring pages and should be encouraged to do so, other should find another way to express themselves.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rauspitz rauspitz

    I like the continued emphasis on original content as opposed to using Squidoo as a defacto link farm.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Snakesmum Snakesmum

    Glad to see this policy, as there are quite a few lenses with nothing but links to colouring pages. There are some good ones though, so let’s hope they don’t get lost in the crowd.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Alex-Gopson Alex-Gopson

    I’ve seen some good quality coloring page lenses, but many of them seem to be, as this article says, link lists. Nice to see that HQ has seen this.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/CanDoDaddy CanDoDaddy

    Not sure I understand what is the hype about coloring pages. Never liked coloring books as a kid, anyway. I’d rather be outdoors than coloring outdoor images inside. Real colors are always better than crayons.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Heather426 Heather426

    YAY

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/butterbrickle butterbrickle

    Haven’t run across one of these yet, but thanks for the tip. Will avoid.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Possie Possie

    This is a great news. I’m always worried of putting any of my children’s drawing because it might ended up somewhere. And more so, this will mean taking the time to think what others might copy. Nice to implement original content only.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MillBucks MillBucks

    This is very awesome news! I have encountered a great deal of coloring pages with little content or value for the visitor so this should help a great deal in keeping Google happy.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Deadicated Deadicated

    Thank you Squidoo.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rashmiagr06 rashmiagr06

    sounds good…

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/tvyps tvyps

    I guess I will have to go back to drawing on my walls. hahaha! <—-laughing at my own jokes again. Do kids even color anymore? I thought they were too busy texting.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/the_zhiff the_zhiff

    Am I the only one who has no clue what a “colouring page” is?

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      Drawing to colour in. Good for kids or just for fun.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/XpectMorebizsolutions XpectMorebizsolutions

    I guess I have no idea what has been going on with Coloring Pages. I do not think that I have even seen lenses regarding what you are mentioning. At least I know now.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MooshkaDaisy MooshkaDaisy

    Good policy for original artists!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/onlyforwork onlyforwork

    I really appreciated this decision

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Fascinating Fascinating

    I am quite proud of my pages, I use all my own illustrations but now I want to check them just to make sure I find I cannot access my two top lenses to edit them!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/AilynK AilynK

    so what happens if say, you sell your coloring pics in etsy and wants to use Squidoo to promote?

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      They’re YOURS. The issue is that 95% of colouring pages are either NOT done by the artist or (in fewer cases) closely copy extremely popular but copyrighted characters. Which means that a) they aren’t that great for the site and b) they drown out the genuine ones. Like, it sounds like, yours.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/heehaw heehaw

    nice coloring pictures by flynn the cat.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Flynn_the_Cat Flynn_the_Cat

      I officially approve of this comment :D

      • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rarity rarity

        you got new fans this moment. congratulation !!!!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/travelerme travelerme

    I am very happy. There are more lenses about coloring pages than anything else.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sherioz sherioz

    I agree with the other who agree that this is a good idea and I am happy something is at last being done about this.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Decanus Decanus

    this is a good move

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/CuriousBoy CuriousBoy

    Fully agree!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Rob3 Rob3

    About time, this is good news.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sandyspen sandyspen

    Good to know– Thanks

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/goldenecho goldenecho

    I’m glad you still allow artists to share their own work. I have some coloring pages I’ve made I’ve been thinking about sharing on Squidoo. And way to stand up for copyright!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/oscar5219 oscar5219

    dont have any

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/KonaGirl KonaGirl

    Great news!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Ladymermaid Ladymermaid

    I am very happy to see this rule come into effect. For a while there it seemed like the top tiers were flooded with these.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Sholland10 Sholland10

    Thanks! I know the spam and copied material can’t always be caught, but this will help. Also, getting rid of those types of lenses will improve the whole site. :-)

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/RinchenChodron RinchenChodron

    Great idea.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/slyounkin1 slyounkin1

    makes sense

  • http://www.squidoo.com/graceonline Kathryn Grace

    Another step toward a cleaner, less spammy Squidoo. Thank you!

  • http://www.sharisphotos.webs.com/ Shari

    Yay! I was wondering when something was going to be done about this. I’m all for original coloring pages. Almost makes me wish I was an artist.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/toldyaso toldyaso

    Understandable. But where does it cross the line? What if I post about Spongebob, and find a few coloring pages I think the kiddies might like? Am I allowed to add them to my lense?

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/TandCrecruitment TandCrecruitment

    Wonderful policy. :) I to will be changing alot of my pictures that arn’t mine. I am just borrowing. Will be taking my own pictures to improve my Lenses. Unfortunatly I haven’t had the materials to take all my own :( but working on it now… thinks a fab idea

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/love2glow love2glow

    Bless you..we don’t need spam.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/victoria91 victoria91

    I had never heard about coloring pages up here until today.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MaryMorgan MaryMorgan

    I don’t actually do coloring pages, but it’s useful information to have…thanks.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SteppingRasor SteppingRasor

    Good thing.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Kylyssa Kylyssa

    Hallelujah! I love this new policy.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sshilpaa sshilpaa

    i made lots of drawing in my childhood

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Wysiwigs Wysiwigs

    Although I have found some great (permissible) coloring pages to use at church through some of these lenses, this is probably for the best. Wouldn’t it be awesome if everyone could just be honest? I know – never happen. *sigh*

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/roeloff roeloff

    Good! If it’s no good than by all means filter ‘em out.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Just-a-Day-Dream Just-a-Day-Dream

    :P

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Cercis Cercis

    Great policy that will stop copyright abuses and make these pages more useful.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/fanfreluche fanfreluche

    I am seeing this now, people moving their coloring pages to other topics (by the way if I am looking about information on wild animals I don’t expect coloring pages!!) Same for any other topic, that’s why there is a coloring page topic no? If moving categories and changing the coloring page titles to hide them is working, then you have a huge problem … Please have a look into this. It has already started.

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/fanfreluche fanfreluche

      Hopefully you wait just scan the coloring page topic, that was in short my question :)

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/fanfreluche fanfreluche

      hopefully you will scan correctly, not just by topic and not just by lens title? Because once again some are trying to game :(

    • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/pkmcr pkmcr

      Heavens above you mean there are still people trying to game the system! I guess it’s inevitable if they have been so adept and used to doing so that they will continue with their nefarious activities :-( I would suggest alerting HQ to that sort of activity

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/earnu2 earnu2

    yes its a great policy

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Protasker Protasker

    We are constantly getting bombarded for Lens Making Quests from HQ. I’m glad for these improvements and compliance rules are being followed more closely. When will HQ be looking to lock lenses with no content and only links? Going to check mine now.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/rray001 rray001

    Great news sorry to see that people have stole others art work

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Cinnamonbite Cinnamonbite

    BINGO! You just gave me an idea for a lens. Expect to see a new coloring page from me (my second, LOL) no later than July. Maybe more than one, I dunno yet.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/10thingz 10thingz

    Makes sense to me.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Tata2u Tata2u

    Will check out things our now. Don’t think this affects me.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/bensen32 bensen32

    I’m not even sure I understand the coloring pages but I agree with it should be your own content so, on with the locking.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LaughingLady LaughingLady

    I don’t do coloring pages, but have often wondered how they do as well as they do. Sounds like a good policy to me.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/WoodlandIndianEDU WoodlandIndianEDU

    Agreed – I only have one Coloring Pages Lens, but they feature the background of unique educational coloring pages I have made myself and offer through my business free to teachers. Not even my website gives the background of each page as my lens does (hence the reason for the lens) – I hope that complies.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sharun5 sharun5

    coooooooool

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Donnette Donnette

    Many coloring pages are created from images obtained within the public domain and altered and amended, clipped, text added, color removed, additional drawings and markings or collages included to make a truly unique image. I have done this, and so too have a number of other lensmasters (some whom I seem to recall have commented below also). Since I am not an artist – far from it – would that require that the pages be removed?

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/intothesunset intothesunset

    I’m not sure what all this commotion is about. Can anyone send me a lens that abuses this new policy?

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/artbymichelle artbymichelle

    Very happy about this! Thank YOU!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Protasker Protasker

    How does Squidoo go about finding pages with NO content on them? How do they know to lock the lens? Some of these lenses have high rankings and no content but are not locked or considered to be SPAM. Here are some perfect examples, http://www.squidoo.com/jimmy-page-guitar-hero. The biggest offender on Squidoo, and he has 258lenses, with no content on them ~ http://www.squidoo.com/jimi-hendrix-posters, http://www.squidoo.com/marilyn-monroe-posters, these are only 2 lenses!! So if you are serious about this post, his pages should all be locked. I personally have nothing against these lensmasters, just that they’ve been breaking your rules for a very long time and not locked.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/heidi heidi

    Sounds like a good policy. Thanks for watching this stuff closely and for taking action. It helps us legit users!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/bossypants bossypants

    I must admit I never really understood this tendency toward coloring pages. It confused me almost every time I read one. A few made sense and provided interesting information, but most of them were just bunches of pages and I didn’t get the point.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/atra_intelexis atra_intelexis

    I like and agree with this policy

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/atra_intelexis atra_intelexis

    I’m totally against copyright abuse

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/ckolander ckolander

    I’m very excited about this! I have seen so many coloring pages do very well in the ranks that have images that are just pulled from random websites. As an artist, this gives me more motivation to add more of my own drawings to squidoo.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Sweetbunny Sweetbunny

    I am happy to learn squidoo cares about copyright.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/VernonBlogger VernonBlogger

    Interesting…..I never had any lenses on this topic,but if it is being abused it needs to stop. I have content stolen all the time and it is very irritating at best.Good job Squidoo.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LluviaDeArte LluviaDeArte

    That is great, and an opportunity to get more creative by making your own coloring pages.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/kencat500 kencat500

    Just went through the full list of don’ts, will check my lenses to make sure they meet the guidelines.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/BigRedDomino BigRedDomino

    I usually don’t use crayons on my computer, so I think I’m good on this SduidDont deal. I want to add that too many rules with discourage lensmasters from writing at all. So far, I think there is a good balance.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/0ctavias0fferings 0ctavias0fferings

    Makes perfect sense.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/InSearchOf InSearchOf

    Ive never done any coloring pages but if this helps protect people’s original work then it sounds good.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/nickybutler nickybutler

    Fantastic news…. I think it’s great Squidoo is getting rid of its spammy lenses. Can’t wait to see all the amazing original art come to the surface too :)

  • ismeedee

    I have to admit I was sick and tired of colouring pages lenses!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/sandyspider sandyspider

    I feel sorry for those who have many of these. My favorite lensmasters like Pastiche should be safe. She has so many wonderful lenses.

    At first I thought “Oh no…pages with color added to them.” How many of these have I added CSS to them?. LOL

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/DownToEarthLiving DownToEarthLiving

    Hi Bonnie,
    I would like to add some of my original simple line drawing patterns to my prim lens. Would that be considered a coloring page? This is a great idea and I would love to add to other lenses as well. Thanks!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/grannyann grannyann

    Good idea on the new policy.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/adwanco adwanco

    why not.Its a good policy.remove mine too if doesnot meeet standards.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/motown22 motown22

    New compliants are very strict, but right. This one especially it’s correct versus the original right owners of the image shared. Thumbs up!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/prosperity66 prosperity66

    For once, that is a good measure… Er, we’ve just been asking for this for years now :/

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/dellgirl dellgirl

    Great new policy, glad to see it. Thanks for all that you do to make Squidoo better.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/almawad almawad

    I have never thought of making coloring pages but now I feel I must do some .

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/cnatraining123 cnatraining123

    It’s a wise policy, well done.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Donita_Marie Donita_Marie

    Great to hear this…

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Helenee Helenee

    Yep. read.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/2judylou2 2judylou2

    Thanks, I agree.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/novalady novalady

    THIS is a GREAT policy! Thanks so much for doing this!!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/DivaChick DivaChick

    Hooray When will this policy be implemented?

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/grafixart grafixart

    Good guidelines and cautions for what is acceptable and what is a no no!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/freeman84 freeman84

    great way to stamp out the unwanted lens and keep the site clean

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/alenmic alenmic

    Great policy. Hope it encourages artists to devote and create their best lenses.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/healinghands123 healinghands123

    Thanks HQ for spitting out the sticks, so we can eat the hay!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/OrganicGiftsByDiana OrganicGiftsByDiana

    I am so pleased with Squidoo for all of these changes so that, as a whole, we are a better place to be and to express ourselves.
    Thank you !

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/quester quester

    well done

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Rudy145 Rudy145

    What do you mean color pages? I am lost. lol

  • http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Fatherof4 Fatherof4

    Great policy.

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