Pinterest Terms of Service Summary

Terms of Service (TOS) AnalysisThis slideshow summarises the TOS of the online service Pinterest and pin-points some key issues found therein. The terms

analysed here were effective as of the 6th of April 2012. They can be found here: http://pinterest.com/about/terms/

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest isa virtual pin-board.

Pinterest lets registered users create pin-boards where you can

'pin'

online content you find interesting, helpful or desirable.

Users share their pin-boards for friends or the public to see and most content found on

Pinterest can be 're-pinned' to your own pin-boards.

Issues Surrounding the useof Pinterest

1. Ownership

2. Copyright

3. Surveillance

4. Freedom of Expression

Ownership

"Anything that you pin, post, display, or otherwise make available on our Service,

including all Intellectual Property Rights in such content, is referred to as “User Content.” You

retain all of your rights in all of the User Content you post to our Service." Pinterest TOS

Ownership

Unlike other social networks, Pinterest does not take ownership of materials you post on their service.

But.

Just because you pin online materials to your pin-board, does not mean you take ownership of that content.

Ownership

Pinterest also relinquishes all responsibilities in regards to any content being stolen, used, distributed or pinned on the service without consent or permission from the owner/creator.

That responsibility resides with YOU!

Copyright

"Subject to any applicable account settings you select, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable,

sublicensable, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, re-pin, modify (e.g., re-format), re-arrange, and distribute your User Content on Pinterest for the purposes of operating and providing the Service(s) to you and to our

other Users." Pinterest TOS

Copyright

"Nothing in these Terms shall restrict Pinterest’s rights under separate licenses to User Content." Pinterest TOS

Pinterest can do whatever they want with the content you pin, within the service...

Copyright

Whether or not you are the rightful owner of pinned intellectual property within Pinterest, you automatically give Pinterest a non-exclusive right to

do whatever they choose, with said content, within Pinterest.

"...use, display, reproduce, re-pin, modify (e.g., re-format), re-arrange, and distribute your User Content..." Pinterest TOS

Surveillance

"When you visit the Service, whether as a registered User or a non-registered User just browsing, our servers automatically record

information that your browser sends whenever you visit a website."

Surveillance

This type of surveillance is common practice with many social platforms.

Log Data is used to serve up suitable advertisements to the user's interests

and cookies are placed on your computer to monitor your movements online.

Freedom of Expression

"We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to remove User Content from the Service for any reason, including User Content that we believe violates these Terms or the Pinterest

Acceptable Use Policy."

Freedom of Expression

Pinterest's world-view is reflected in their Acceptable Use Policy...

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, though Pinterest will not tolerate online materials that are offensive to other users.

Freedom of Expression

The types of offensive content Pinterest does not tolerate includes racism, pornography and abusive material.

If you pin offensive content on Pinterest, it is likely that it will be removed.

Pinterest

Pinterest takes the least amount of responsibilities they can in providing their service to you.

They even label themselves as a passive conduit for the interactions that take place.

You are responsible for your actions within Pinterest.

Be careful what you pin, and try to abide by the Terms of Service.

References

Adriaensen, S. (2007). Exclamation mark. Online Image.Retrieved on the 17th of October 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/simiezzz/1070601182/sizes/m/

Baird, K. (2007). MSU Bulletin Board Sept. 1993. Online Image.Retrieved on the 15th of October 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennonbaird/1337725743/sizes/m/

Beveridge, D. (2010). Binoculars. Online Image.Retrieved on the 18th of October 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/scissorfighter/4857071188/sizes/z/

Deal, M. & Carlos Pagan, J. Pinterest Logo. Online Image.Retrieved on the 14th of October 2012 from:http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/

Grim, J. (2007). Burglar + Bag. Online Image.Retrieved on the 17th of October 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/grimages/861321715/

Guthier, C. (2009). Drawing Pin. Online Image.Retrieved on the 14th of October 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/3798035262/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Pinterest. (2012). What is Pinterest?, Pinterest.Retrieved on the 16th of October 2012 from:http://pinterest.com/about/

Riza, M. (2007). Finger Two. Online Image.Retrieved on the 18th of October 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/moriza/2257461946/sizes/o/