Microstock Group - A meeting place for microstock photographers

That great shot of Tyler's climber is featured

I'm not denying these are great shots..... but is anyone seeing the same copyright violations I am with these "standard license" photos?   If I'm wrong boy do I have a lot of sports photos I can start selling.



Are these soles not trademarked?

Hello all,

Pixart -- if I understand your concerns correctly -- Bigstock aggressively pursues copyright infringements and these images are presented and saved at a lower quality setting than either what we would accept or deliver via a download.  This type of post also provides direct access to a proper path to licensing and the images are shown with a copyright / credit.  However, your feedback is appreciated and taken seriously.

Featuring images benefits contributors, since featured images tend to receive more downloads than if those images were not featured.

The purpose in posting here is to provide contributors with some added awareness of the great work being done.  We have print and online campaigns, newsletters, social media outlets, trade shows, etc..., for introducing the collection to buyers, but would like to share the great work in the collection with contributors as well.  We're always inspired by these great images and we're sure others are, too. 

Best,

Scott

Hi Pixart,
 
Thanks.

In terms of our policy, "An image of a subject with a commercial logo, such as a FedEx truck, is not acceptable for commercial use, but may be acceptable as an Editorial Use Image since it contains a subject which someone might want to comment on."

I've passed this along to our legal and content teams for a review and we'll take the appropriate action.

Best,

Scott

Hi Warren,

When I refer to social media, I'm primarily talking about professional and personal networking outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.   We actually reach out to images customers via all of the different marketing outlets: graphic design magazines, mail, newsletters, online banners, trade shows, etc...   

I wouldn't say that image buyers focus on Facebook and Twitter as a source of free images for stock use...I think you'd be more likely to see that at Flickr, since it's a photo site.   It would be more accurate to say that image buyers and contributors often want to get updates on Bigstock news, and Facebook and Twitter allow them to subscribe to news updates by way of becoming our "friend" or by "following" our news feed. 

We consider it just one method of communicating back-and-forth and having a relationship with people who are interested in our service. 

Shutterstock and Bigstock are sibling companies, so we do share some marketing resources.  For example, if we go to a trade show - we'll travel together and we'll help each other, but we do have different booths, different sites, different image collections, and different handouts.  Both Shutterstock and Bigstock have extensive experience and share the best of that experience, but they are two different services. 

We start and end each day with a large team committed to the success our members and we want people to know how many great images are in the collection.

Best,

Scott



 

The athletic shoe image is listed as standard or editorial license. Guess a reviewer not paying attention. Definitely infringement here.

And I'm going to go for the artwork on the kid's batting helmet too. I don't think the kid's mom painted that on for him. Likely from a popular large supplier.

http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-1198117/stock-photo-home-run

This also goes for a standard license. With that artwork and not a plain helmit, not right either

Thank you, Scott,
for taking the time to leave such an open and informative response.  There seems to be a lot of effort in keeping buyers informed but not so much on enticing "New Buyers."  Maybe that is too expensive?  Or, I guess that gets too close to discussing the marketing/advertising budget -- the amount of money being spent.  And, this is probably not a good place for this discussion? 

Anyway, I hope that there is a lot more happening in the background. 
Thank you,

Scott,
You have earned my respect ... and support.  I don't think there has ever been an agency representative offer so much information.  I don't agree that using Facebook, Twitter, etc. is a viable marketing tool but will not question your use.  You are the Man.  Thank you.

I also want to add that I am probably a pain in the a$$.  Many of my peers seem to be intimidated by the "Boss Syndrome."   I have a steady source of income and not nearly so easily intimidated.  I have the attitude that I hired the agency; not vice verse.  That makes me the Boss.  Or, at least gives me the right to know where the the money from a large portion of my sales/downloads goes.  We can only assume that a reasonable portion of it is going into advertising the agency and marketing our art work.  You had the balls to step up and answer that question directly.  I doubt that any other agency will be as detailed in defending their sales program. 

I hope you will keep us posted. 

Is Picscout like Tineye?

Of course.  The competition concept is far reaching, and there are so many potential uses.  Leaf's image screams "achievement" to me.