There's a listing on Craigslist asking for bloggers to submit clogs.

The read is that you'll be contributing to the design community. After a few email exchanges it's come to my attention that this is another low level way for generating articles for later sales. WhoIs lists:
Moniker, Privacy Services WEBDESIGNERDEPOT.COM@domainservice.com
Moniker Privacy Services
20 SW 27th Ave.
Suite 201
Pompano Beach
FL
33069
US
with the entity as being based in Florida with the email contact - a Walter - starting in his correspondence they're based in Vancouver Canada.

Hmm, Funny, I thought Vancouver in Canada and not in Florida...

Well it's a good thing I didn't agree, even though the 150 bucks would have come in handy.

To sign over rights to an article for such a sloppy piece of work as a blog (webdesignerdepot.com) which clearly cribs whole pages of info from sources such as Monzilla, to make it seem real is a shame.

It's obvious the options available to them had I signed on would include reselling the ideas, knowledge or piece to an outside party with no protection to the writer, as othe rmore reputable clearly states its intended use is for the bloggospher and with the work clearly being protected from redistribution.

I should inform craigslist

It's important for designers to protect our industry from acts like theirs. Please take a moment to let others know when you suspect something like this. There are a lot of scam artists who will not only crib inforamtion but run through to develop pitches, sales tools, lesson plans and applications if you're not careful.

Advice form an attorney. If you're developing, stay off of blogs. Mine, keep it light and very very no level, away from you industry with any conversation being with those who can verify who they are and back it up with a contract.

Here's the last email:

Hi George,

What is the main concern that you have about this? Is it payment? Can we address this in any other way? Sending something by post in these days where email is used for everything shouldn't be necessary. I'll be happy to advance payment to easy any concerns or fax you / email you a basic agreement. Would that work?

Regards,

Walter

On 24-Nov-08, at 9:29 PM, George S:

Hi Walter,

I would prefer a written agreement. I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea as some blogs/entities then sell the pieces/articles to other entities. I would need to have all that clearly stated with your complete information rather than just an email.

As you're based in Canada, I would need to have it in writing and sent via post.

Essentially consider yourself as an editor of a publication that would have to guarantee the rights of the writer, as they do here in the States. Publications within the States provide that or don't compensate. This ensures everything is clear, otherwise its free, not very well done, and not very insightful as to what is going on with our industry.

As this is work-for-hire, the agreement would need to stipulate/provide:
Contact of Entity
Copyrights
Terms and Conditions for use of the writer's contribution.
Duration of the Terms
There being no opportunity to print the piece, reprint the piece or sell the piece to any party without my consent.

If this is a problem, then I am not interested.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks.

George S
Punkkat

From: Webdesigner Depot
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 8:43:32 PM
Subject: Re: Blog writer

Thanks George. The blog has been online only for a week or so. We're brand new, yet we've had a lot of success so far.

As far as agreements - let's keep thing simple and make these emails the official 'agreement'. Basically, we'll be purchasing full rights for the content that you develop for us and the content cannot be copied from other sources. There is no contract as you're being paid per post.

Regards,

Walter

On 24-Nov-08, at 8:31 PM, George Sandoval wrote:

Hi Walter,

Thank you. It'll be great to contribute.

Can you tell me a little more about the audience, the blog, how long its been running, etc. Will there be an agreement outlining distributions, rights, period of contract, etc.

I haven't used my paypal account so it may take me a few days to find the password etc.

I'll send you the topics tomorrow morning if that's ok. I have a few things on my desk that I need to clear by this evening, a few page designs for a project I'm a little behind on.

Thanks again, Walter. Looking forward to working with you.

Cheers

George S
Punkkat

From: Webdesigner Depot
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 7:59:36 PM
Subject: Re: Blog writer

Hello,

Would you kindly suggest 3 possible topics that you wish to write about that are targeted towards designers so that I can choose one?

Thanks,

Walter

On 24-Nov-08, at 7:56 PM, George S:

Hi Walter,

Thank you, contributing would be great. I've not posted on Graphic Design yet, perhaps somewhere, but I have on politics, electoral process and User Experience as well as the internet. There are a few articles here

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

George S
Punkkat

From: Webdesigner Depot
To: George S
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 6:17:52 PM
Subject: Re: Blog writer

Hi George,

Is there a sample post that you can prepare? You sound like a perfect candidate for this!

Regards,

Walter

On 24-Nov-08, at 4:01 PM, George S:

Hi

I like the idea. I've taught courses in Photoshop and Illustrator, know them like the back of my hand. I've also worked in the design business fro 15 years with my involvement in the Internet industry since 2000.

I could concentrate my blogs on design, the need fro better design on the web, usability, user experience, as well as information design on the web.

Currently I'm a consultant for two firms, please see my LinkedIn profile for my background and experience.

I'll complete this by writing tomorrow with a link to my blog, there are a few pieces that I haven;t run through their edits.

Thanks, feel free to call with any questions.

Punkkat