An old friend of mine has shot a student film a couple of years ago. As per a misunderstanding, I have received second AD credits, although I was not affiliated with the production of the film (not even working in the film industry!). The error has since been cleared from all sources, including the original version of the film's credits and all websites. The producer/director of the film and the owner of the account that posted said credit about me has even tried contacting IMDB help desk about this issue to get the credit taken off the films page, to no avail. I have been emailing back on forth with the IMDB customer service representative since 6 months already, only going in circles. The conversation thread goes something like this (simplified version):
Me: "Hi, please remove the credits on film X for person Y, they are non-factual."
They: "Sorry, we want to be the most reliable database on the web and therefore do not remove factual film credits. Thank you for understanding."
Me: "But the credits are non-factual. Even the owner of the film and person that accidentally posted the credits has reached out to you, the reference number of their submission is: XYZ"
They: "We will not be able to offer any additional insight or action on these matters. Thank you for understanding"
I honestly do not know what else I can do. I am not an American citizen, I do not live in the United States, and in my home country it is illegal to put information (even as little as someone's name) on a website without the persons consent, and you are required by law to remove the information if the person has directly asked you to do so. What should I do? I do not want to make this a legal issue, since obviously it is such a seemingly petty issue, but I feel betrayed and unfairly treated. It is the first post that pops up if you do a Google search about me and it is causing me trouble to be affiliated with something that I had nothing to do with.
I understand and respect that IMDB staff have strict rules that they have to follow, but it is impossible to get through to the person I am emailing with. It is an extremely robotic and irrational conversation, and they ignore all arguments/points I am bringing to the table. I am very frustrated and I do not know how to proceed. Do you have any advice?
Sorry about the long post and I am looking forward to your responses!
Me: "Hi, please remove the credits on film X for person Y, they are non-factual."
They: "Sorry, we want to be the most reliable database on the web and therefore do not remove factual film credits. Thank you for understanding."
Me: "But the credits are non-factual. Even the owner of the film and person that accidentally posted the credits has reached out to you, the reference number of their submission is: XYZ"
They: "We will not be able to offer any additional insight or action on these matters. Thank you for understanding"
I honestly do not know what else I can do. I am not an American citizen, I do not live in the United States, and in my home country it is illegal to put information (even as little as someone's name) on a website without the persons consent, and you are required by law to remove the information if the person has directly asked you to do so. What should I do? I do not want to make this a legal issue, since obviously it is such a seemingly petty issue, but I feel betrayed and unfairly treated. It is the first post that pops up if you do a Google search about me and it is causing me trouble to be affiliated with something that I had nothing to do with.
I understand and respect that IMDB staff have strict rules that they have to follow, but it is impossible to get through to the person I am emailing with. It is an extremely robotic and irrational conversation, and they ignore all arguments/points I am bringing to the table. I am very frustrated and I do not know how to proceed. Do you have any advice?
Sorry about the long post and I am looking forward to your responses!
Posted 6 years ago
bluesmanSF, Champion
Wow, thank you for clearing that up. Finally somebody actually explained the reasoning behind all of this! I had no idea that that's one of their rules. A very strange rule indeed! The original version that entailed my credits at first had been corrected immediately after the mistake was discovered.
So is it safe to say that regardless of the correction, there is absolutely no way to ever get that IMDB credit taken off?
So is it safe to say that regardless of the correction, there is absolutely no way to ever get that IMDB credit taken off?
bluesmanSF, Champion
Yes, it's pretty safe to say that. I guess, unless you can provide evidence it never happened or that the title is ineligible to be listed at all, it'll remain.
I am assuming, though, that some evidence was provided when it was first listed, and they still have that evidence (or a record confirming it was verified as accurate). So, removal would be a long shot.
I don't really think the rule is strange. One thing they have going for them is that they are documenting public information. If they include things not shown in credits, they'd lose the ability to claim it's "public information" and might have to remove or forever be changing things. But, if it's right there on the screen at the time it was originally available for public consumption, they have every right to document...and they do so only with accurate, "factual (because it's right there on screen)" data.
Any way, hope that helps...you've very welcome!
I am assuming, though, that some evidence was provided when it was first listed, and they still have that evidence (or a record confirming it was verified as accurate). So, removal would be a long shot.
I don't really think the rule is strange. One thing they have going for them is that they are documenting public information. If they include things not shown in credits, they'd lose the ability to claim it's "public information" and might have to remove or forever be changing things. But, if it's right there on the screen at the time it was originally available for public consumption, they have every right to document...and they do so only with accurate, "factual (because it's right there on screen)" data.
Any way, hope that helps...you've very welcome!
gromit82, Champion
ARBB: I would note that if you have a credit for a film you didn't work on, it should be indicated as such with the attribute (credit only). See http://www.imdb.com/updates/guide/attributes.
Hi, I am having the same issue. I have a credit for something that has nothing to do with me, it is actually for someone else by the same name who has there own imdb profile!
It's fair to say this non factual and incorrect.
I have raised the fact that this is nothing to do with me and they have attributed this to the wrong profile but having no luck in getting it removed.
Does anyone know how to raise this to be changed?
It's fair to say this non factual and incorrect.
I have raised the fact that this is nothing to do with me and they have attributed this to the wrong profile but having no luck in getting it removed.
Does anyone know how to raise this to be changed?
That's actually a fairly easy thing to correct.
If you have an IMdB USER profile (If you don't, you should create one), you log into that and access your name page.
Using the EDIT feature (at the bottom of the page) enter the info for the incorrect credit. Include the info for the other person with the same name (a link to their name page) and submit.
Be sure to save a copy of the submission number.
It takes several weeks to get these types of corrections made as the backlog at IMdB is enormous so be patient.
If you have an IMdB USER profile (If you don't, you should create one), you log into that and access your name page.
Using the EDIT feature (at the bottom of the page) enter the info for the incorrect credit. Include the info for the other person with the same name (a link to their name page) and submit.
Be sure to save a copy of the submission number.
It takes several weeks to get these types of corrections made as the backlog at IMdB is enormous so be patient.
