Bree and I need to share files with each other. It’s a simple, blatant fact–we write together, how can we not? We’ve long searched for a service that would allow us to do so conveniently, and with a minimum of fuss. We thought we’d found that with Dropbox, especially after many, many writers counseled us to use it, but it appears it might be a rights problem.
From their Terms of Service (emphasis mine):
Your Stuff & Your Privacy
By using our Services you may give us access to your information, files, and folders (together, “your stuff”). You retain ownership to your stuff. You are also solely responsible for your conduct, the content of your files and folders, and your communications with others while using the Services.
We sometimes need your permission to do what you ask us to do with your stuff (for example, hosting, making public, or sharing your files). By submitting your stuff to the Services, you grant us (and those we work with to provide the Services) worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable rights to use, copy, distribute, prepare derivative works (such as translations or format conversions) of, perform, or publicly display that stuff to the extent reasonably necessary for the Service. This license is solely to enable us to technically administer, display, and operate the Services. You must ensure you have the rights you need to grant us that permission.
How we use your stuff is also governed by the Dropbox Privacy Policy, which you acknowledge. You acknowledge that Dropbox has no obligation to monitor any information on the Services, even though we may do so. We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness, or legality of files, user posts, or any other information you may be able to access using the Services. We may disclose information about your account or your stuff to law enforcement officials as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
Uh, holy shit. What? Honestly, the way this is worded (especially the part in italics), it could be nothing but their attempt to make sure that you know they’re watching you, making sure you don’t do anything that threatens their service. BUT. But nothing about the language specifically limits them to that, even though they say that’s all it’s for–technical administration of the service. And you know what they say about giving someone an inch.
I’m not comfortable with giving someone these rights with my professional work, both published and in-progress. So long, Dropbox. Looks like it’s time for us to research other options.
About Donna
Holy cow! I had to go back and read that twice. I think that ownership laws need to be reevaluated in this day and age of electronic everything. Good luck finding a convenient way to replace Dropbox.
What about Box.net? http://www.box.net/files
Personally I prefer a networked folder drive and a VPN, but that is more of a corporate level thing.
Software wise, ifolder works pretty well and is available as open source software so this might be overkill, but you might be able to host it yourself on your web servers.
ifolders works pretty well at synchronising a list of folders and their files to multiple computers, and it is available as open source. (Although I have noted issues with very complicated folder structures / ifolder syncs that are over 2.5 gigs in size.)
http://www.kablink.org/ifolder/get_started
http://ifolder.sourceforge.net/
I also know of companies where you can pay to use their server space to use the ifolder system, but I am uncomfortable mentioning specifics, due to RL reasons, but that could at least be a clue for your solution.
That sucks to put it mildly. I wish I had a suggestion for you guys:(
A worry indeed.
Booksie has the same clause. It makes my skin crawl.
google docs?
Dropbox updated their TOS today and it looks like they fixed some of this.