Pinterest today notified its members of major changes to its terms of service. It follows weeks of controversy over the latest social media craze, popular with us visual types. Much as everyone’s all over Pinterest lately, its popularity has not come without some questions, especially over fears people’s shared content could be sold.

Today’s statement from Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann says: “When we first launched Pinterest, we used a standard set of Terms. We think that the updated Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, and Privacy Policy are easier to understand and better reflect the direction our company is headed in the future. We’d encourage you to read these changes in their entirety, but we thought there were a few changes worth noting.

• Our original Terms stated that by posting content to Pinterest you grant Pinterest the right for to sell your content. Selling content was never our intention and we removed this from our updated Terms.
• We updated our Acceptable Use Policy and we will not allow pins that explicitly encourage self-harm or self-abuse.
• We released simpler tools for anyone to report alleged copyright or trademark infringements.
• Finally, we added language that will pave the way for new features such as a Pinterest API and Private Pinboards.

We think these changes are important and we encourage you to review the new documents here. These terms will go into effect for all users on April 6, 2012. Like everything at Pinterest, these updates are a work in progress that we will continue to improve upon. We’re working hard to make Pinterest the best place for you to find inspiration from people who share your interest.”

What do you think? Are you happier to use Pinterest in light of these changes?

Interiors Addict LOVES Pinterest! Find me at www.pinterest.com/interiorsaddict