MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Resimstock - Turkish site stealing images and selling with EL?  (Read 25321 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« on: August 06, 2015, 09:54 »
+2
Hello,

I was just made aware of a site called "Resimstock.com" which offers thousands of images.

It seems to be shady, because the photo author is not mentioned, instead it says "Owner: Resimstock" and they sell the images with an Extended Licence.

I found several of my images, for example:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/2392/Health,-Care,-Doctor,-People,-Hospital.html

from Kurhan:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/821/Business,-I%C5%9F,-Call-Center,-%C3%87a%C4%9Fr%C4%B1-Merkezi.html

from ArtFamily:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/1858/Others.html

Minerva Studio:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/540/Business,-I%C5%9F.html

WavebreakMediaMicro:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/2464/Technic,-technology.html

Lev Dolgachov / Syda Productions:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/1406/smiling-couple-having-fun-in-park.html

Peshkova:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/665/Business,-I%C5%9F.html

Monkey Business:
http:/ /resimstock.com/photo/17/Group-Of-Friends-Standing-By-Car-On-Coastal-Road-At-Sunset.html

and many many more. (links not clickable on purpose)

Does anybody know more about the site?

What would be the best way to find out or get the images removed?

Thanks in advance,
Robert Kneschke
« Last Edit: August 06, 2015, 16:05 by fotorob »


Tryingmybest

  • Stand up for what is right
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2015, 10:50 »
+5
I would contact them and tell them to remove your images and that you will be notifying other artists whose stuff they are selling. Then search this forum for DCMA. Some folks have used this process to shut the rouge sites down.  8)

Also, break the links in your original post so they cannot track them back to our forum (add a space or remove a character).

They must be a scam because there are no artist credits. Even if they were part of a partner program there would probably be credits.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2015, 10:57 by Striving »

« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2015, 12:30 »
+1
I didn't see any of mine at a quick glance, but the filenames of some are a giveaway. Most are just numbers, but search for tunnel and you'll get a picture of a "tunnel of media" and the filename is

Fotolia_65372548_Subscription_Monthly_XXL.jpg

I know the guy whose image this is, so I sent him e-mail about it.

There's another Fotolia file name for a Sergei Nivens image (search for cosmos to find it)

Fotolia_60157821_Subscription_Monthly_XL.jpg

This really suggests that this bum got these from a subscription and forgot to rename some of them...
« Last Edit: August 06, 2015, 12:41 by Jo Ann Snover »

objowl

« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2015, 13:23 »
+1
I didn't see any of mine at a quick glance, but the filenames of some are a giveaway. Most are just numbers, but search for tunnel and you'll get a picture of a "tunnel of media" and the filename is

Fotolia_65372548_Subscription_Monthly_XXL.jpg

I know the guy whose image this is, so I sent him e-mail about it.

There's another Fotolia file name for a Sergei Nivens image (search for cosmos to find it)

Fotolia_60157821_Subscription_Monthly_XL.jpg

This really suggests that this bum got these from a subscription and forgot to rename some of them...

Search Fotolia and you get 5 images, the 2 above and 3 more.

Tryingmybest

  • Stand up for what is right
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2015, 13:37 »
+3
Let us know how it goes so we can barrage him with warnings. I like to tell the thieves I will sue them. It seems to have worked sometimes.

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2015, 15:43 »
+8
A colleague photographer told me how the site is supposed to work:
The real purpose of the site is to scam people.

They massively contact turkish companies and ask for proof that they purchased the images they have on the website and they try to bully them into paying a "licence" to them, claiming to be a representative of the copyright owner.

I already have contact with a person who claims to be threatened by them now, I will try to get more evidence.

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2015, 02:59 »
+2
I just sent an email to them asking to remove my images. Let's see how they react...

« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2015, 03:43 »
+4
I just sent an email to them asking to remove my images. Let's see how they react...

I don't think they will be very impressed.

Why don't you file a DMCA complaint to their web host? You must be sure fist that it is not a stock partner. This site (I don't want to promote its name) is hosted  by softlayer.com, host with a questionable reputation.

http://www.softlayer.com/dmca
http://blog.softlayer.com/2012/tips-from-the-abuse-department-part-1-reporting-abuse
http://blog.softlayer.com/2013/tips-from-the-abuse-department-dmca-takedown-notices

You can use a DMCA copyright infringement form from G00gle as a model.
Only the web hosting service has the power to take down a site if the owner doesn't react to your email.
I don't know if they will take any action but it is a necessary step before you file a DMCA complaint to G00gle. They will contact the host and if you are lucky, they will at least,  take down the site from G search.

I did this, with success, many times for images stolen from my blogs. Unfortunately, these thieves will just create another site with the same content.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2015, 04:14 by Dodie »

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2015, 10:52 »
+1
@Dodie:

So far I did not get response to my email, not even the automated "Delivery Status Notification" (DNS) I requested when sending the mail.

But I issued the DMCA notice to the host now, let's see if it helps.

« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2015, 14:36 »
+2
@Dodie:

So far I did not get response to my email, not even the automated "Delivery Status Notification" (DNS) I requested when sending the mail.

But I issued the DMCA notice to the host now, let's see if it helps.
Is this your image: https://goo.gl/UUnTuC
I found 36 copies of it, some are legit, others have all kind of watermarks on it.

I don't want to discourage you but there is no way to stop thieves.
I made this for a long time  (as I said before); a website designer company mirrored all my blogs on many of their clients' sites, ripping off content with automated software. All sites had the same content (mine) and look, they didn't even bother to vary their free WP template. Though I had a high % of success with removals at prestigious web hosts, I always found another site doing the same thing. At the end I was so tired that I abandoned the blogs, haven't posted anything new for years (still paying for domain).
It was than that I discovered stock. "There's always something new to fall in love with".

Don't beat yourself up, it is not worth it.

Much luck!
« Last Edit: August 08, 2015, 14:53 by Dodie »

Lev

« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2015, 08:46 »
+4
It's a scam.

Same company was acting similar way 2 months ago. We've got a lot of complains from Turkey.

That's why we have a warning for Turkish customers on our website ( http://sydaproductions.com ) .

Thanks for letting know these criminals are acting again, Robert.

Lev

« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2015, 09:52 »
+3
I also issued the DMCA notice to the host.

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2015, 02:33 »
+1
More people contacted me know.

It really seems that the company behind Resimstock emails or calls people in Turkey who use an image that is shown on their site and asks for the 150$ fee advertised on the site. They threaten people that if they do not pay, they will take the case to court.

I also got hold of a PDF they email the people which shows that they have a contract with a lawyer (however, they do not seem to provide evidence that they have the rights to pursue usage cases).

So it is more than a "steal images and sell as their own" scheme...

Also, people try to open threads about Resimstock in Turkish forums, but people claim that the company threatens the forums to take them down, so I hope this thread is enough to inform people out the scam why they search for it.

Best regards,
Robert

« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2015, 04:45 »
0
Their name servers say "KTOOLS.NET" - technically their site should be hosted there (Rockford, MI 49341).

If so, wouldn't it take only one DMCA request to KTOOLS to remove their entire site?

Usually, American web hosts don't take DMCA claims lightly due to the fear of getting sued.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I couldn't find any of my content there so I would have also sent a claim.

Otherwise the registrar should be able to provide the information where the domain is pointing to. Even the registrar (name.com) is located in the US.
Perhaps one can even submit a claim to them as the unlicensed content is displayed under a URL registered through them.

Here the Whois info:

resimstock.com registry whois
   Updated 1 second ago - Refresh
Domain Name: RESIMSTOCK.COM
Registrar: NAME.COM, INC.
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 625
Whois Server: whois.name.com
Referral URL: http://www.name.com
Name Server: NS1.KTOOLS.NET
Name Server: NS2.KTOOLS.NET

Status: clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Updated Date: 08-jul-2015
Creation Date: 30-jun-2015
Expiration Date: 30-jun-2016
resimstock.com registrar whois
   Updated 1 second ago
Domain Name: RESIMSTOCK.COM
Registry Domain ID: 1943332277_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.name.com
Registrar URL: http://www.name.com
Updated Date: 2015-07-08T14:39:15-06:00Z
Creation Date: 2015-06-30T08:42:01-06:00Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-06-30T08:42:01-06:00Z
Registrar: Name.com, Inc.
Registrar IANA ID: 625
Reseller: 
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registry Registrant ID: 
Registrant Name: Whois Agent
Registrant Organization: Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc.
Registrant Street: PO Box 639 
Registrant City: Kirkland
Registrant State/Province: WA
Registrant Postal Code: 98083
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.4252740657
Registrant Fax: +1.4259744730
Registrant Email: [email protected]
Registry Admin ID: 
Admin Name: Whois Agent
Admin Organization: Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc.
Admin Street: PO Box 639 
Admin City: Kirkland
Admin State/Province: WA
Admin Postal Code: 98083
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.4252740657
Admin Fax: +1.4259744730
Admin Email: [email protected]
Registry Tech ID: 
Tech Name: Whois Agent
Tech Organization: Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc.
Tech Street: PO Box 639 
Tech City: Kirkland
Tech State/Province: WA
Tech Postal Code: 98083
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.4252740657
Tech Fax: +1.4259744730
Tech Email: [email protected]
Name Server: ns1.ktools.net
Name Server: ns2.ktools.net
DNSSEC: Unsigned Delegation
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.17203101849
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2015-08-11T03:37:22-06:00 <<<

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2015, 04:50 »
0
looks like these are the same people: http://enystock.com/about

Lev

« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2015, 06:47 »
0
I see they keep adding images to resimstock.com

So more photographers may be affected now.

« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2015, 08:20 »
+2
hi. We are software company from turkey. this web site contacted us today and said 'you are using our photo. we will sue you. you can go to prison for this. if you don't want us to sue you, then pay us 150 dollar which is photo's cost on our site.' interesting thing is we have already pay for the photo at other stock image web site. you can find documents in attachments.

here is the link from turkey telling the same think about resimstock.com:
newbielink:https://eksisozluk.com/resimstock-com--4875947 [nonactive]


Lev

« Reply #17 on: August 11, 2015, 09:23 »
+1
bagnaz adam,

I would suggest you to contact Turkish Economical Police and also Turkish business media (newspapers).


fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #18 on: August 11, 2015, 09:37 »
+1
@click_click, thanks I sent the DMCA mail again to Ktools. Let's say how they react.

« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2015, 09:38 »
0
ktools.net is selling a software - Photostore http://www.ktools.net/photostore/online-demo
Click on the "Public site Demo" on this page and you will see the same page layout as at Resinstock with a few items missing from the menu. See the "Featured" tab and you will see the same subtabs in the dropdown at both sites.

This is a harder nut than I thought, hard to imagine that anyone will hurt these guys' clients but you should try to bring to their attention that their product is misused.

Just a humble advice, if I may; try to shorten URL and post screenshots where possible. We've made a lot of free advertising for these guys already. As you know, negative advertisement is more precious as the positive one, these days.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 07:42 by Dodie »

« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2015, 09:51 »
+3
hi, just speaking is worth nothing guys.
we had already charge them by law last week as they contacted us.
our lawyer took it really serious.
and its true, i do not found the threads from last week.
its not a hard nut if you are here in turkey.
wondering what they will say to the prosecuting attorney  ;D
thats the most effective way and the only to finish this.
i'll be update you guys with the progression and before i forget hi bagnaz adam:)

Lev

« Reply #21 on: August 11, 2015, 09:53 »
+4
kudrt,

Did you also contact the police? I think it's a good case for economical police and also for newspapers.

These people should be punished.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2015, 04:45 by dolgachov »

Lev

« Reply #22 on: August 11, 2015, 09:56 »
+2
Just a humble advice, if I may; try to shorten URL and post screenshots where possible. We've made a lot of free advertising for these guys already. As you know, negative advertisement is more precious as the positive one, these days.

I believe the opposite. People in Turkey are getting massive threats and money demands from these people. Posts of victims on Turkish forums getting deleted because forum admins also get threats. So more negative advertisement is made to this criminal activity - more victims in Turkey can be Google the information about this scam.

« Reply #23 on: August 11, 2015, 10:00 »
+1
yep, but the police forward us to prosecution to investigate fraud.
and one more thing we have good connections here, we are not small business to mess with.
so i think it should not take long as usual in our case  ;D

Lev

« Reply #24 on: August 11, 2015, 10:15 »
0
Good.

From our previous experience with this company - they tend to show their victims a lot of papers similar to one bagnaz adam attached here. I can easily imagine them showing fake papers too.

If they will try to show something that's pretending to be a "proof" of authorisation from photographers or other agencies, don't believe them and ask your lawyer or prosecution to contact photographers or agencies.

Two months ago I sent a warning about this company to all agencies I work with. So no agency would authorise this fraud. 


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
25 Replies
19186 Views
Last post May 18, 2012, 00:30
by Fran
17 Replies
10447 Views
Last post May 10, 2011, 12:17
by cathyslife
2 Replies
3030 Views
Last post September 06, 2014, 17:33
by munrotoo
0 Replies
1661 Views
Last post September 17, 2014, 04:21
by Madpixblue
5 Replies
2589 Views
Last post September 20, 2016, 21:50
by etudiante_rapide

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors