Pinterest's Fraud Triange

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."

What provides the opportunity?

• 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.

What is the rationalization?

• "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?