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Author Topic: Pixsy - reverse image search firm which recovers revenue from unlicensed images  (Read 14400 times)

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« on: May 03, 2016, 02:26 »
+1
Anyone used Pixsy (reverse image search company) to recover revenue from unauthorized image usage? I guess it would be hard to use it for microstock pictures, since it is impossible to say who actually bought the images.

Here is some more info:
http://www.microstockdiaries.com/pixsy-a-modern-take-on-image-tracking.html



« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2016, 03:49 »
0
The same - i didn't get how they will manage this, and they want to "import" images. For now i don't know do they want full size collection or not. If full size then no no. Another possible whole. Better their rep comes here for explanations.

« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2016, 04:00 »
+1
Just asked them to come here.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2016, 04:30 »
0
Pretty much useless for RF.

Pixsy

  • We help photographers find and fight image theft.
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2016, 04:48 »
+2
We work with some stock images & websites as well.

If the photo has been made available through a stock image site, we kindly ask photographers to independently verify the license status. Sometimes stock agencies don't disclose the name of the company that purchased the license for privacy reasons. However, usually the agency can provide our photographer with other relevant information like the licensing jurisdiction or the type of use that the image was licensed for (textbook cover, editorial, etc).

 
Quote
For now i don't know do they want full size collection or not.

@skyfish Could you please clarify this point so we could properly address it? Thank you.

« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2016, 04:51 »
+1
I've played around with it a bit. It works very well and finds a lot of stuff that I didn't know about before. It indeed does not do much for RF, of course, but that's just in the nature of such things.

Greatest issue right now is that they seem to only go after abuses that are in one of very few countries, that are crystal clear abuses that will net lots of money, and that are by a Fortune 500 company. In other words, they will only act upon things that I could just as well act upon myself and get 100%.

Still useful for finding image uses though.

@Pixsy: skyfish is asking whether you require the upload of full-sized images or whether you can work with thumbnails. He/she does not want to risk giving you full sized images.

@skyfish: I can answer that: they do work with thumbnails. In fact, they limit the upload size a lot.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2016, 05:11 by MarcvsTvllivs »

« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2016, 05:00 »
+1
Do you keep free invitation for photodeck users how long? Please give more details here about the procedure of import and can you import thumbnails from photodeck directly?

Pixsy

  • We help photographers find and fight image theft.
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2016, 05:04 »
0
@ MarcvsTvllivs We are indeed limited geographically and due to the particularities of IP law in a number of countries can currently pursue infringement cases in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark. We are constantly expanding, though.

As for the Fortune 500 company point, we do pursue smaller cases. The decisive factor here is the intention of the use -- as a rule, we go after the commercial uses of the photos.

Here's the review from one of our photographers that might be helpful: http://jakehicksphotography.com/latest/2016/4/19/finding-the-people-whove-stolen-your-photographs [nofollow]

« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2016, 05:14 »
0
@ MarcvsTvllivs We are indeed limited geographically and due to the particularities of IP law in a number of countries can currently pursue infringement cases in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark. We are constantly expanding, though.

As for the Fortune 500 company point, we do pursue smaller cases. The decisive factor here is the intention of the use -- as a rule, we go after the commercial uses of the photos.

Here's the review from one of our photographers that might be helpful: http://jakehicksphotography.com/latest/2016/4/19/finding-the-people-whove-stolen-your-photographs


Not trying to criticize you, specifically. The issue I described is certainly true for your competitors, as well. I agree that it is inherent in the business model, but I hope you will find a way to expand your reach a bit. I see no harm in at least making an attempt to recover a little (read, $50) even from minor infringements (even bloggers) in less-than-perfect jurisdictions, for example by sending a demand letter or the like.

Pixsy

  • We help photographers find and fight image theft.
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2016, 05:14 »
0
@skyfish The invite code for PhotoDeck users is limited to the first 50 photographers. Feel free to use it: PHOTODECKANDPIXSY. Here's the direct sign-up link https://my.pixsy.com/register?code=PHOTODECKANDPIXSY [nofollow]

To import your PhotoDeck photos, you need to log in to Pixsy (you can use the code above) and go to your Import options - https://my.pixsy.com/sources [nofollow]

Important note: we don't download any of the photos. We just get access to your portfolio and then search the Internet for the matches.

Hope that answers your question.

Best,
Pixsy Team.

« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2016, 05:24 »
0
To be sure: will your import ignore "client galleries"? These photos should not be imported
HOw many photos includes plan for this invitation? I had a popup, but no amount mentioned
« Last Edit: May 03, 2016, 05:29 by skyfish »

PaulieWalnuts

  • We Have Exciting News For You
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2016, 07:06 »
+2
Interesting service. Does a nice job of bulk finding files instead of having to do the Google image search one at a time. Has some nice options for submitting a case, DCMA takedown, and flagging for later use. I'm showing 13,000 matches. I could spend hours wandering through this.

One thing I already knew was a problem is FineArtAmerica. I have probably hundreds of images with their watermark being used on personal Twitter accounts, Facebook, blogs, couple's wedding websites, and on and on. And then there's all of the commercial sites where images are cropped right where the FAA watermark should be. And that's part of the problem with RF and micro. Almost all of those images have been in micro so there's almost no way of telling what's licensed or stolen. All of my newer stuff is only available through RM on my site so if it shows up somewhere that I'm not showing as a customer there's no doubt it's stolen.

I've been wanting to go after infringers so Pixsy may be a good place to start.

ETA: Looks like freeimages . com has copied the entire Istock image library.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2016, 07:28 by PaulieWalnuts »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2016, 08:42 »
+1
I'm showing 13,000 matches. I could spend hours wandering through this.
Could be useful for evidence for DACS submissions of RF images.

« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2016, 08:48 »
0
Interesting service. Does a nice job of bulk finding files instead of having to do the Google image search one at a time. Has some nice options for submitting a case, DCMA takedown, and flagging for later use. I'm showing 13,000 matches. I could spend hours wandering through this.

One thing I already knew was a problem is FineArtAmerica. I have probably hundreds of images with their watermark being used on personal Twitter accounts, Facebook, blogs, couple's wedding websites, and on and on. And then there's all of the commercial sites where images are cropped right where the FAA watermark should be. And that's part of the problem with RF and micro. Almost all of those images have been in micro so there's almost no way of telling what's licensed or stolen. All of my newer stuff is only available through RM on my site so if it shows up somewhere that I'm not showing as a customer there's no doubt it's stolen.

I've been wanting to go after infringers so Pixsy may be a good place to start.

ETA: Looks like freeimages . com has copied the entire Istock image library.

the first thing to do is to replace the word "royalty-free".
if i were given a penny each time i had someone , even business people, that royalty-free  means
use without paying, i would be a millionaire today.
even photo magazines had once where i read the editor discussing the free usage of videos, music, movies, etc... and  the new "royalty-free" stock photos, to mean use by anyone without compensation.

then there the flickr community and model mayhem,etc.. who finds anything on flickr or model mayhem,etc.. even a little line of credit or copyright...never mind water-mark , as quote "tacky".

otoh, we have to indeed thanks those sites because they distract the "anything can be used ... ( i do not own the copyright, but i am publishing it on a non-profit basic" vultures away from microstock.

still, you are fighting against a very large community who believes that like grafitti, anything you put on the (street) / web / .. is free for the taking.

of course, there is dreamstime which promotes free images donation can (cough cough) "improve your chance of increasing downloads".  LOL.. we know where that goes,.. but that's for another day to mull.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2016, 08:50 by etudiante_rapide »

Pixsy

  • We help photographers find and fight image theft.
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2016, 10:03 »
+2
@ skyfish Most likely the import will ignore them. You can double check it at http://your-domain.com/sitemap.xml. [nofollow] Everything displayed there will be imported.

As for your plan, with the PhotoDeck invite code you gain instant access to our Free plan that allows for up to 5,000 imported photos.

@PaulieWalnuts Great to hear you find our service useful! Let us know if there's anything we can help you with so you can start your image theft fight.

« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2016, 13:56 »
0
One thing I already knew was a problem is FineArtAmerica. I have probably hundreds of images with their watermark being used on personal Twitter accounts, Facebook, blogs, couple's wedding websites, and on and on. And then there's all of the commercial sites where images are cropped right where the FAA watermark should be.


I've seen this in the Amazon Kindle ebook store. To be fair, many of the infringing "books" aren't books at all, but scams designed to get money out of the very flawed Kindle Unlimited book subscription service.



See the FAA watermark? It's useless. Poor Lee Avison's images are being stolen right and left.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2016, 14:11 by Ava Glass »

« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2016, 16:09 »
0
Haven't received an invitation yet.  :'(


Pixsy

  • We help photographers find and fight image theft.
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2016, 03:02 »
0
@ rimglow Feel free to use this code: SHUTTER55. Looking forward to having you on board!

« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2016, 03:18 »
+1
Is there a way to try this out before making the jump?

« Reply #19 on: May 18, 2016, 05:57 »
0
@ rimglow Feel free to use this code: SHUTTER55. Looking forward to having you on board!

I just received the invitation code, so I could get started.
However, can some one explain to me how "photo thieves" are identified?  I'm talking microstock here.  99% of my stock photos on the internet are (hopefully) legally bought from one of the agencies.  So the only cases where theft is a sure thing are :  (1) watermark still on photo, and (2) photo is for sale by a website that is NOT a partner of one of the agencies.
I can hardly believe Pixsy is going to check all this, so is it correct to assume that - if I upload 5000 images (or can I send a link to Shutterstock????) - I am the one who should alert Pixsy and not the other way round?

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #20 on: May 18, 2016, 06:14 »
+3
^^ See reply #3.
Let's say you found 100 uses online of an RF file which has only been licensed twice.
Is Pixsy going to contact them all looking for proof of purchase?
What would the agencies say if the two legitimate buyers complained to them about being contacted by Pixsy?
« Last Edit: May 18, 2016, 06:16 by ShadySue »

« Reply #21 on: May 19, 2016, 06:50 »
0
Interesting service.
But Google search has found one of my images on a website that Pixsy did not find.

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #22 on: February 22, 2018, 12:28 »
+1
Just saw this and gave it a try. First misuse was http://www.pinsdaddy.com/2011-indycar-iowa-corn-250_XvFJvGMY*2uGXKSCQ|Xi6nmZSufIhE*1yZ9RFqJvPDA/ Hundreds of files, for free yet I click on Pixsy and "resolution is not available for this case".  Unless I give them a CC or sign up for $19 a month?

Yes I know it's been awhile, is anyone using this service, any opinions from anyone who used it in the past?

« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2018, 06:08 »
0
Hmm, thought I'd give this a try and signed up for the free account.

Unfortunately, that only give cover for 500 images now, and not the 5000 mentioned above.

PaulieWalnuts

  • We Have Exciting News For You
« Reply #24 on: February 24, 2018, 09:52 »
+1
Pretty much useless for RF.

I'd agree. Not a Pixsy problem but another disadvantage of RF, subscription, and more specifically using stock companies. The micro stock companies don't provide customer names so how would you know if a photo is licensed or infringed? Even if they did provide names the customer could be a designer who then freely uses each image for dozens of their clients because RF allows nearly unlimited usage. With the huge volume of subscription it would be difficult to keep track of the uses. And most people probably don't register copyrights so what are you going to sue them for? Actual damages of $1?

The Pixsy service is probably usable for people who only sell direct from their website, people who don't license images, or obvious infringements like if your watermark is visible. I can't see how this would be usable for micro RF.


 

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