Featured User Jenelle Bautista

Jenelle Bautista, a Computer-Engineering student who hails from the Philippines. Jenelle is passionate about design and has been protecting the creations that she makes in her spare time on Myows. Jenelle recently used Myows to settle a copyright ownership spat. I love little success stories like this so I tracked her down – here’s a brief transcript of our conversation (with Jenelle’s blessing of course).

Chris: So how long have you been studying for now?
Jenelle: You mean college? Over a year now

Chris: You’re studying at Bulucan State University right?
Jenelle: Computer Engineering

Chris: You refer to yourself as a ‘web creative in the making’, is this your real passion?
Jenelle: Yes, the thing is, universities here in the Philippines don’t offer web design courses

Chris: So where have you been picking up on your web development skills?
Jenelle: Fom the tutorials around the web, I’m mostly self-taught

Chris: Well I guess that makes sense, if your passion is for the web (and coffee according to your Twitter profile)… that you’re learning online. What are your thoughts on originality and the web, I’m guessing you’ve grown up in a very web-based world?
Jenelle: First of all, I think the web paved the way for artists to show off their work to others. It allows us to connect, one artist to another… whichever part of the world we are located. But at the same time, there is also the greater risk of copying or rather claiming the ownership of another’s work.

Chris: What do you think about our rights to own our creative work in a world where so much stuff is free an easy to share? Do you think artists and designers should be concerned about security?
Jenelle: I think everyone should have knowledge about the rights that they have in their creative work. And I think designers and artists are the ones who need to inform and empower themselves in this matter. When one knows about the violations made against one’s work, there may be fewer cases of digital infringement. That copy frauds may think twice before copying others’ work.

Chris: It’s good to know that young and upcoming talent like you are switched onto this stuff and thinking about their work this way! Do you think a lot of other creatives at starting to feel the same way? Do you guys ever discuss copyrights and intellectual property at university?
Jenelle: No, not really. It was only last week that I really became very aware of how important it is to protect my work

Chris: And did this come as a result of stumbling onto Myows or did you go looking…
Jenelle: I first signed up at Myows and then, some days later, when I was showcasing one of my works on a certain website, someone claimed it as his own. Fortunately for me, I uploaded the files on Myows before I showcased it at the site.

Chris: So the service has worked for you so far?
Jenelle: With that I had the guts to tell the guy that I am the original author of the work and that I can show him proof with the help of the certificate you guys provided . It was really a great thing that I signed up at Myows.

Chris: And what was his response?
Jenelle: He was banned from the site. It turned out I wasn’t his only victim.

Chris: That’s really awesome! Congrats for standing up for yourself and protecting others from the same kind of disrespect! I’m really glad Myows could help you out like that.
Jenelle: Thank you.

Chris: You’re welcome, thanks for your enthusiasm on Twitter too
Jenelle: I think I should be thanking you guys. Without your service I wouldn’t have known what to do

Chris: You should (lol). Please keep spreading the word… Every bit helps! Before I go, is there anything you’d like to see us add to or change with the Myows service in the future
Jenelle: I really could not ask for more. Just keep up the great work, maybe

Chris: Cool well maybe we’ll surprise you!
Jenelle: Maybe integrate copyscape or tineye at the account page so we don’t have to visit them in another tab?

Chris: Yeah, we’re looking into that and will keep you posted… It’s a logical addition and hopefully we can develop a platform to integrate using our new API
Jenelle: I’ll be looking forward to it!

Chris: Cool, well thanks for your time. I’ll let you know when I publish this profile (probably next week) and I’ll make sure you’re on the list to receive a free upgrade to a premium account when it launches
Jenelle: Thanks!

Chris: No worries, keep well and good luck with your studies! Cheers.
Jenelle: Thank you very much