MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Image Sleuth => Topic started by: yuliang11 on March 20, 2014, 04:03
-
hi everyone,
if wonder if he's really the author of those images ?
http://www.fiverr.com/prisonbreak (http://www.fiverr.com/prisonbreak)
-
nop, from a few contributors!
-
this site is hilarious!
http://www.fiverr.com/khanvict23/photoshop-you-into-an-oscar-selfie (http://www.fiverr.com/khanvict23/photoshop-you-into-an-oscar-selfie)
-
Did anybody contact any of the copyright holders? Might be the best way to get it taken down...
-
Thanks Luis for letting mw know.
The *insult removed* stole some of my images too.
Source seems to be Fotolia, since some of the images I uploaded exclusivly there.
-
Thanks Luis for letting mw know.
The *insult removed* stole some of my images too.
Source seems to be Fotolia, since some of the images I uploaded exclusivly there.
Robert, try to involve Fotolia into this besides yourself writing to Fiverr. This might put more pressure on Fiverr.
Sorry to hear that your images were used. Hopefully this gets taken down asap.
-
Have you guys seen this: http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files (http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files)
Makes me sick.
-
I filed a DMCA for two of my files now.
I also informed Fotolia, maybe they can close down the account faster.
The pity is the guy shows only one example images and we cannot see the other images he is selling too.
By the way: Fiverr should really make their DMCA form much more user friendly. It's a p*** in the a** to fill out all the stuff.
-
Have you guys seen this: [url]http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files[/url])
Makes me sick.
I informed Shutterstock about this account as well...
Boy, I have better stuff to do... grrr
-
a few more
http://www.fiverr.com/edward101 (http://www.fiverr.com/edward101)
http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d/give-you-50-full-hd-people-photos (http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d/give-you-50-full-hd-people-photos)
http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website (http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website)
http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-or-illustration (http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-or-illustration)
-
who the h@ll is this guy?..recently I got a lot sub sales from FT, maybe its becasue of this >:(
-
And this is one reason I don't like subs
-
Here's a really interesting one: http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want (http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want)
This guy claims to be a contributor. Would love to know who it is and report them, get their contributor account shut down.
-
be careful Mike, he is a shutter-stock contributor ;D
10
orders
in queue
:o
he had 5 sales in the last 24 hours, looking at the feedback from buyers
and a total of 54 sales in 20 days (since he opened account there)
-
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8294845/Capturar.JPG)
-
Got to admire (?) their
honesty chutzpah:
"Fiverr.com's content is based on User Generated Content (UGC). Fiverr does not check user uploaded/created content for violations of copyright or other rights."
http://www.fiverr.com/intellectual-property (http://www.fiverr.com/intellectual-property)
-
just great stuff, he made 270$ in 20 days with others content, I wonder if Fiverr gets a commission as well
-
just great stuff, he made 270$ in 20 days with others content, I wonder if Fiverr gets a commission as well
Fiverr gets $1, the person doing the gig gets $4.
It's ridiculous how blatant this stuff is. Some listings clearly state that they get the images from Shutterstock.
There are at least a dozen listings right now for stock photos. I guess fiverr is the place to resell digital content. The company turns a blind eye to it.
-
http://www.fiverr.com/websitevala/download-any-photo-or-vector-from-shutter-stock (http://www.fiverr.com/websitevala/download-any-photo-or-vector-from-shutter-stock)
http://www.fiverr.com/royalty_photo (http://www.fiverr.com/royalty_photo)
-
I can't believe Shutterstock isn't all over this. It's costing them money, probably more than it's costing us. It's an easy way to circumvent their whole buying system.
I contacted the guy who claims to be a contributor, asking him if he sells his image or if he can get any Shutterstock images. He confirmed that he can get any images, photos or vectors, but not footage.
Really hope SS can figure out who this guy is. He goes by Max Morgan on fiverr but who knows if that's his real name.
-
Fiverr seems helpful, though. Just in case I didn't find the bundle of illegally resold images I was looking for, they emailed me with some other gigs that might help:
(http://www.emberstudio.com/random/fiverr.jpg)
Gee, thanks, Fiverr.
-
I can't believe Shutterstock isn't all over this. It's costing them money, probably more than it's costing us. It's an easy way to circumvent their whole buying system.
I contacted the guy who claims to be a contributor, asking him if he sells his image or if he can get any Shutterstock images. He confirmed that he can get any images, photos or vectors, but not footage.
Really hope SS can figure out who this guy is. He goes by Max Morgan on fiverr but who knows if that's his real name.
Ask him if he can make you a good deal for more images outside of Fiverr so you might get his Paypal email... ::) I'm sure he prefers a good bulk deal.
-
Ask him if he can make you a good deal for more images outside of Fiverr so you might get his Paypal email... ::) I'm sure he prefers a good bulk deal.
That would have the added benefit of not only having that gig removed, but also having his Fiverr account closed! :)
-
Have you guys seen this: [url]http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files[/url])
Makes me sick.
The Gig you were looking for is no longer available.
-
Here's a really interesting one: [url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want[/url])
This guy claims to be a contributor. Would love to know who it is and report them, get their contributor account shut down.
I did some searching, both via google and on SS (max and morgan and nothing that looked right) and couldn't find the guy. The image he's using is on just about every wallpaper site out there (I used Google image search) - and other than it was taken in 2008 there's nothing useful in the EXIF. These are just two of the hundreds of sites with this image
http://wallpaperswide.com/spring_landscape_hdr-wallpapers.html (http://wallpaperswide.com/spring_landscape_hdr-wallpapers.html)
http://www.wallcoo.net/nature/Photo-manipulation-landscape/html/wallpaper4.html (http://www.wallcoo.net/nature/Photo-manipulation-landscape/html/wallpaper4.html)
I found a Max S Morgan on twitter, but it's an IP lawyer from Philadelphia (who doesn't list photography as his hobbies, so I don't think it's him :))
In addition to being disgusted about the slimeballs listing stock photos for sale on this site, it was pretty crazy to see the things people will do for $5. I can only assume that none of them are very good :)
-
Nice work guys. seems most of the stuffs on fiverr are removed :)
-
I don't understand how these guys make a profit...
If it's 5$ per day, it's 150$ per month, maximum. And they pay the subscription at least 215$/month (year plan).
They are just selling their unused downloads?
-
I don't understand how these guys make a profit...
If it's 5$ per day, it's 150$ per month, maximum. And they pay the subscription at least 215$/month (year plan).
They are just selling their unused downloads?
They're not limited to $5 per day. They can process as many sales as they can get. And although they're limited to 25 DLs per day at SS, they might have stockpiled some images, have some pirated collections, some other sources, etc. Assuming some buyers don't care what 20 images they get, or just ask for 20 landscapes or 20 business images or whatever.
In one gig, a seller has 55 feedback responses on a gig that has been up for 20 days. Assuming that not everyone leaves feedback, that means he has gotten at least 55 sales, probably more like 75-100 or more. Let's say 75. At $4 per sale (fiverr takes a buck per sale) that's $300. He's already in the black, with 12 more sales in the queue and another 10 days left to cash in on this subscription.
In the end he should pocket at least $250-300. Not great, but not bad for just downloading photos.
Here's another freaky little possibility: Contributors could use this to game the system. Think about it. You buy one of these gigs, and ask the guy to send you 20 of your own images. If you're in the $0.38 tier that's $7.60. You can bump up your earnings using fiverr. Or at least accelerate your rise through the ranks. At $0.25 you'd break even on the $5 investment.
Obviously I'm not suggesting anyone do it. It would severely put your contributor status at risk of permanent banning. But there are some less-upstanding contributors out there. I wouldn't be surprised if some are doing exactly this.
-
In addition to being disgusted about the slimeballs listing stock photos for sale on this site, it was pretty crazy to see the things people will do for $5. I can only assume that none of them are very good :)
I actually use Fiverr almost weekly for voice-overs and transcription. It's hard to believe, but i always feel like I'm ripping those people off because I get so much for my money.
Please don't think that I'm in favor of the image thieves!! I'm just sharing my experience with the site as a whole.
-
Here's another freaky little possibility: Contributors could use this to game the system. Think about it. You buy one of these gigs, and ask the guy to send you 20 of your own images. If you're in the $0.38 tier that's $7.60. You can bump up your earnings using fiverr. Or at least accelerate your rise through the ranks. At $0.25 you'd break even on the $5 investment.
Obviously I'm not suggesting anyone do it. It would severely put your contributor status at risk of permanent banning. But there are some less-upstanding contributors out there. I wouldn't be surprised if some are doing exactly this.
Yeah, I think SS would consider it weird that one contributor is downloading so many of your images and ban the both of you.
-
In addition to being disgusted about the slimeballs listing stock photos for sale on this site, it was pretty crazy to see the things people will do for $5. I can only assume that none of them are very good :)
This. I am totally giving "5 professional isolations for $5" a go. Sure, it will probably come out terribly, but it's worth risking $5...
-
Have you guys seen this: [url]http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/logovala/download-any-shutter-stock-photo-or-vector-files[/url])
Makes me sick.
The Gig you were looking for is no longer available.
Yes, Shutterstock answered me about 20 minutes after my email that they have had this gig taken down.
-
In addition to being disgusted about the slimeballs listing stock photos for sale on this site, it was pretty crazy to see the things people will do for $5. I can only assume that none of them are very good :)
This. I am totally giving "5 professional isolations for $5" a go. Sure, it will probably come out terribly, but it's worth risking $5...
No. They just send already isolated images that they got from SS or anywhere.
-
I've bought a couple of fiverr gigs. The voiceover stuff is worth more than $5. Sometimes not a whole lot more, but if you dig through enough samples there are some people on there who are pretty good.
I also bought a product review video, and the person did a good job but it was a little awkward. It's hard to make a product review ever sound authentic, so it's more an issue of the nature of product review videos than in the abilities of the person doing the gig.
-
I've bought a couple of fiverr gigs. The voiceover stuff is worth more than $5. Sometimes not a whole lot more, but if you dig through enough samples there are some people on there who are pretty good.
I also bought a product review video, and the person did a good job but it was a little awkward. It's hard to make a product review ever sound authentic, so it's more an issue of the nature of product review videos than in the abilities of the person doing the gig.
I bought a translation gig, from a translator with good buyer's comments, and I got a barely edited, infamous, Google Translate job. Dind't leave feedback, just fleed from fiverr.
-
In addition to being disgusted about the slimeballs listing stock photos for sale on this site, it was pretty crazy to see the things people will do for $5. I can only assume that none of them are very good :)
This. I am totally giving "5 professional isolations for $5" a go. Sure, it will probably come out terribly, but it's worth risking $5...
Aaaand I come back to report: The isolations aren't even half bad. Certainly better than when I dabble at it. For people who will always remain more photographer than "digital artist": can recommend.
-
In addition to being disgusted about the slimeballs listing stock photos for sale on this site, it was pretty crazy to see the things people will do for $5. I can only assume that none of them are very good :)
This. I am totally giving "5 professional isolations for $5" a go. Sure, it will probably come out terribly, but it's worth risking $5...
Aaaand I come back to report: The isolations aren't even half bad. Certainly better than when I dabble at it. For people who will always remain more photographer than "digital artist": can recommend.
If you can upload them to SS and get them accepted, then that's a win - I don't know how bad you are at isolations :)
-
.
-
Nice work guys. seems most of the stuffs on fiverr are removed :)
That lasted about a day (maybe not, it says created 2 days ago): [url]http://www.fiverr.com/mainam/give-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-or-vectors[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/mainam/give-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-or-vectors[/url])
I really don't think fiverr cares about this. They yank a few gigs when we pile on with the complaints, but then it's back to the business of infringement as usual.
Anyone want to take a shot at hitting fiverr with some tweets, blog posts, etc., about their lack of concern for artists' rights? Maybe someone can come up with a catchy hashtag...
-
Aaaand I come back to report: The isolations aren't even half bad. Certainly better than when I dabble at it. For people who will always remain more photographer than "digital artist": can recommend.
Care to show before/after? Or at least describe the starting photo - did it have a complex background or...
-
Aaaand I come back to report: The isolations aren't even half bad. Certainly better than when I dabble at it. For people who will always remain more photographer than "digital artist": can recommend.
Care to show before/after? Or at least describe the starting photo - did it have a complex background or...
Lets just say I am not sure any of them would pass Shutterstock, but considering that I gave her some pretty tough stuff (semi out of focus hair for example) and the subjects' ambient lighting itself wouldn't allow for it to ever look natural in front of a white background, she did a good job on four of the five.
I wasn't trying to use them for stock though. I was testing with family stuff and now have a great image of my old father's floating, well-isolated, cigar-smoking, scowling face to use whenever it pleases me to piss him off. Well worth $5.
-
Seems it's not just a Shutterstock problem. This one is sourcing images from Thinkstock:
http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10 (http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10)
-
(http://www.emberstudio.com/resources/artists-against-fiverr-sm.jpg)
Bigger (http://www.emberstudio.com/resources/artists-against-fiverr-lg.jpg)
Smaller (http://www.emberstudio.com/resources/artists-against-fiverr-ad.jpg)
Doing a push to get the word out on Monday. Not letting this one go. This isn't some random pirate site giving away images. This a known company enabling copyright infringement and illegal resale of creative content with no regard for the artists' rights. It's more of a rub that they are in the business of facilitating deals for creatives to sell what they do, and yet they crap all over artists' rights if it means there's a dollar in it for them.
-
another shameless thief (will post message in a few hours)
http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d (http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d)
-
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8294845/LOL.JPG)
ahahah
-
thieves still online!
http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d (http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d)
http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56 (http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56)
http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv (http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv)
http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan (http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan)
http://www.fiverr.com/websitevala (http://www.fiverr.com/websitevala)
http://www.fiverr.com/royalty_photo (http://www.fiverr.com/royalty_photo)
SS needs to remove these guys, its impossible to know which files they will get from SS so we cannot even write a DMCA letter
-
Micha Kaufmann is the CEO and co-founder of Fiverr. I just emailed him ([email protected]) in an attempt to get a conversation about this issue going and hopefully put a stop to it.
I'd suggest that anyone here who has a few minutes email him as well. Be respectful, of course.
Also, I know some folks here have been buying Fiverr gigs, I've done it in the past myself. But I have to suggest that you don't buy gigs while this issue is ongoing. Seems counterproductive to be spending money at Fiverr while they're profiting from our work.
-
http://www.emberstudio.com/2014/03/24/fiverr-looks-the-other-way-on-illegal-stock-image-gigs/ (http://www.emberstudio.com/2014/03/24/fiverr-looks-the-other-way-on-illegal-stock-image-gigs/)
Feel free to share, repost, link, tweet, copy, etc.
-
Shouldn't the agencies be handling this, we pay them for a reason don't we?
-
Shouldn't the agencies be handling this, we pay them for a reason don't we?
They should be, and probably are but I get the feeling Fiverr is just as willing to ignore an agency as they are an individual artist.
So my hope is that if we can get enough momentum behind this, maybe they'd be more willing to listen to a large group. They may not care about a couple of emails from us or from Shutterstock or Thinkstock, but they might think differently about it if word spreads enough that Fiverr starts to become well-known as a company that sh--s all over content creators.
-
Got an interesting response from Fiverr after I sent that email to their CEO:
Your email to our CEO was referred to our attention. Fiverr is a website based on User Generated Content (UGC). As such we do not pre-scan the Gigs uploaded by users. However we remove Gigs which are reported to us for breach of third party intellectual property rights (see our terms of service here: [url]http://www.fiverr.com/terms_of_service[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/terms_of_service[/url]) and Intellectual Property policy here: [url]http://www.fiverr.com/intellectual-property.[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/intellectual-property.[/url])
As an example - If Shutterstock, Thinkstock (mentioned in your email) or any other agency reports a Gig reselling their stock images in breach of their license/IP rights we promptly remove it, and in fact we regularly go through that process with several major brands. If any seller is reselling your photos without a license you should report such seller through our DMCA link.
On the other hand, there are stock photos sold on the site which are created by the sellers themselves, and if a seller claims to own the rights to the photos he/she are selling we have no ability to verify ownership unless a different owner of the rights complains and proves ownership. If a seller chooses to create stock photos and sell them for a low price compared to the price you charge it is beyond our control. Note that Fiverr has a large community of talented artists offering original work on Fiverr for prices starting at $5 but extending to much higher price points.
We hope this addresses your question.
Best,
Fiverr Legal Department
Nothing new or useful there. They're still saying that the burden is on us to use the DMCA, which of course is still useless in this case since these gigs don't identify specific content being resold so there's nothing specific to report.
Seems like they know it's wrong but they're just going to keep looking the other way.
-
pathetic...
-
So I was thinking about this - including the sad sack response from Fiverr - and it reminded me most of a fence. The stock in trade of a fence is to claim ignorance of where the goods came from and obviously, to stay in business, the fence has to have willing buyers - people who will turn a blind eye to the below market prices and buy anyway.
I did some searches to see what I could find about how law enforcement dealt with fences and if there had been any attempts to publicly shame the purchasers who are part of the reason the market exists. Couple of interesting thoughts came out of these articles I found.
One is that as a seller, being offered goods at a ridiculously low price was sufficient to impute knowledge that the goods were stolen:
http://www.lacriminaldefenseattorney.com/Legal-Dictionary/F/FA-FIRE/Fence.aspx (http://www.lacriminaldefenseattorney.com/Legal-Dictionary/F/FA-FIRE/Fence.aspx)
When someone offers 50 stock images for $5, that's a ridiculously low price even by subscription standards (and you have to sign up for a $249 subscription at SS to get images at 33 cents each which would still put the 50 images at over $16)
Places like Fiveerr that want to hide behind the "user generated content" smokescreen seem to suggest that they have no responsibility at all for what their marketplace participants do - beyond taking down items if anyone can prove they're not legit. But again, that seems to be an issue in the fencing of physical goods too - trying to conceal origins of items and mix legitimate goods in with the stolen stuff:
http://www.popcenter.org/problems/stolen_goods/ (http://www.popcenter.org/problems/stolen_goods/)
http://www.academia.edu/465485/How_Prolific_Thieves_Sell_Stolen_Goods_Describing_Understanding_and_Tackling_the (http://www.academia.edu/465485/How_Prolific_Thieves_Sell_Stolen_Goods_Describing_Understanding_and_Tackling_the)
And with respect to the eventual buyers being responsible for the continuation of thefts, there's this quote from the first article above
"Generally, the demand for stolen goods increases the incidence of theft. This makes sense because, for the most part, thieves won't steal goods unless they first know or believe other people will buy or trade for them. General awareness that many business owners and members of the wider public are willing to buy stolen goods motivates thieves to start and continue stealing"
So I guess that a campaign to highlight that:
* too-good-to-be-true-prices probably mean the work is stolen
* buying from an established agency or the artist him/her self is the safe route
* don't buy anything else from marketplaces that allow probably-stolen work to be sold because you're supporting an e-fence
I think EmberMike's idea is the right one, but I'm not sure the graphic goes far enough. It's not just about being fair to artists - that's the fight with Getty and other agencies that are legit but don't pay us reasonably for our work. It's a pitch to buyers that it's wrong to turn a blind eye to impossibly low prices when it's likely stolen work.
-
When I posted about this in the iStock forum (since there are gigs specifically reselling Thinkstock images) the thread was deleted.
No idea why, since it's obviously relevant to folks over there too, and I believe posted correctly it in the PP forum since it's about Thinkstock.
-
I think EmberMike's idea is the right one, but I'm not sure the graphic goes far enough. It's not just about being fair to artists - that's the fight with Getty and other agencies that are legit but don't pay us reasonably for our work. It's a pitch to buyers that it's wrong to turn a blind eye to impossibly low prices when it's likely stolen work.
That graphic was intended to be more artist-focused. But maybe we need another graphic that is more buyer-focused.
For something aimed at buyers I think it's good to emphasize the idea that it's wrong to ignore that a deal is too good to be true. But maybe even better to inform them that the images they've purchased can't be used. Licenses don't transfer in this way. This isn't a designer giving a client the images they licensed and used in a project. This is resale, and it negates any valid license to use these images, especially in commercial uses.
-
do you want Photography ?
i will give you the your choice photography images or vector file with the HD Images, JPEG files. and you also edit them as per your choice.
This service like never before !!
Just give me any sample file or image code from the ShutterStock and i give you High Resolution files in next couple of hours.
Hassle free to choose any photos from ShutterStock.
High Quality Images or Editable Vector Files
Pay less get more
Exclusive your own choice
No more pay on ShutterStock
Original images from ShutterStock
No Watermark
This GIG include Any 2 Images or Vector Editable Files from shutterstock
If you want more Images or Vector files just message me before order so i can give you the best offer to fit you budget.
Give you same file you want.
No Watermark Images.
Fully Editable and High Resolution Images.
From one of these gigs description.
Bolds mine.
Isn't that admission enough for fiver that the seller is not the copyright holder of the photos?
-
LOL just hilarious, can't stop laughing ;D
Me: you are just another shameless contributor at Fiverr, how can you even think that it is ok to sell your own accounts at Fiverr for other contributors? you really need to read the TOS because you just neglected it and possible will gain suspension, nice job man
David James James how will fiverr know i sell my accounts?i will deal safe bro
David James James pls lets end dis conversation.thanks for ur advice
Me: LOL how will they know? ahah man you just said it on their facebook page AHAHAH
David James James LOL!
David James James just pulling ur legs bro
David James James they are useless people
David James James i posted this ad here so they know how useless they are.....lol
-
So what about something like this (click for larger)?
(http://www.digitalbristles.com/temp/TNDont-buy.jpg) (http://www.digitalbristles.com/temp/Dont-buy.jpg)
I obviously want to be cautious about making accusations, but the idea is based on the old trope that if a thing is too good to be true it probably is.
-
http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-or-illustration (http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-or-illustration)
This "gig" actually uses a screen grab of SS in the listing - how much more clear can someone be that they don't own the images and yet Fiverr needs someone to report them?
I'm going to report this one to Shutterstock - possibly they can turn up the heat on this outfit.
And this guy doesn't mention Shutterstock, but uses their home page to make his purpose clear
http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website (http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website)
Perhaps we need a bumper sticker like the one this blogger uses to express his loathing for bike thieves :)
http://www.plattyjo.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-bike-thieves-and-what-to-do-if-your-bicycle-is-stolen/ (http://www.plattyjo.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-bike-thieves-and-what-to-do-if-your-bicycle-is-stolen/)
-
This "gig" actually uses a screen grab of SS in the listing - how much more clear can someone be that they don't own the images and yet Fiverr needs someone to report them?
I would imagine that the answer to that question is that it doesn't matter how clear it is in the gig since Fiverr doesn't look at gigs before they are posted. I would imagine that the man-hours required to do so make it impossible financially. I would guess that they won't change their business model any time soon unless the percentage of complaints to gigs sold increases dramatically.
-
I suppose you could just scare the crap out of them and make it so scary that it isn't worth the $4.00. Send them a message like this.
"Hi, I noticed that you are illegally reselling stock images from one of the major stock agencies. This is illegal and against the terms of your agreement with these companies. I have instructed my lawyer to purchase via fiverr.com your gig and request that you download and resell one of the images I own the copyright to. He will do this at his convenience in the near future. Once he has established that you are indeed reselling copyrighted material that you do not own I have given him permission to sue you for as much money as he can extract. Have a nice day!"
-
When I posted about this in the iStock forum (since there are gigs specifically reselling Thinkstock images) the thread was deleted.
No idea why, since it's obviously relevant to folks over there too, and I believe posted correctly it in the PP forum since it's about Thinkstock.
They delete posts like this because the forums are open, so they don't want to send traffic there. However, a polite email of explanation would not be out of place.
I contacted CR re TS, but previously they told me they wouldn't take action when I reported a misuse as it wasn't my image. However, hopefully whoever receives it might click my link before they hit the auto-reply button.
Also their people have been known to read msg, so hopefully they should be all over this.
Anyone know if SS has been contacted or is doing anything?
-
Anyone know if SS has been contacted or is doing anything?
I contacted SS specifically about the guy who is running one of these gigs and claims to also be a contributor. They asked me for whatever additional information I could provide about the guy (which isn't much since I think he's using a fake name at Fiverr) and they forwarded everything on to the legal team.
Not sure if it has progressed since then.
-
SS an other sites should be dealing with this, not us, the contributors.
We found it, and that is enough. We get only around 30% royalty, it's time they did something other than spending millions for server upkeep, marketing and new office space.
-
SS an other sites should be dealing with this, not us, the contributors.
We found it, and that is enough. We get only around 30% royalty, it's time they did something other than spending millions for server upkeep, marketing and new office space.
The thing is, SS and other agencies probably don't care. Are they going to lose subscribers because of this? Probably not, as the kind of people who purchase that "gig" and the kind of enterprises who purchase a Shutterstock subscription are hardly the same. They might lose a few on demand downloads, but that is much cheaper than trying to chase these people down.
-
SS an other sites should be dealing with this, not us, the contributors.
We found it, and that is enough. We get only around 30% royalty, it's time they did something other than spending millions for server upkeep, marketing and new office space.
The thing is, SS and other agencies probably don't care. Are they going to lose subscribers because of this? Probably not, as the kind of people who purchase that "gig" and the kind of enterprises who purchase a Shutterstock subscription are hardly the same. They might lose a few on demand downloads, but that is much cheaper than trying to chase these people down.
If that is the case then that would be an unethical business decision. Fighting infringement shouldn't be based on a cost benefit calculation. It should be a no-brainer. Any company that claims to take infringement serious should take these accusations serious.
-
SS an other sites should be dealing with this, not us, the contributors.
We found it, and that is enough. We get only around 30% royalty, it's time they did something other than spending millions for server upkeep, marketing and new office space.
The thing is, SS and other agencies probably don't care. Are they going to lose subscribers because of this? Probably not, as the kind of people who purchase that "gig" and the kind of enterprises who purchase a Shutterstock subscription are hardly the same. They might lose a few on demand downloads, but that is much cheaper than trying to chase these people down.
If that is the case then that would be an unethical business decision. Fighting infringement shouldn't be based on a cost benefit calculation. It should be a no-brainer. Any company that claims to take infringement serious should take these accusations serious.
Why yes, and when has an agency *ever* acted in unethical ways!
Seriously though: I can understand that agencies don't mind the kind of infringement where someone buys a subscription and then illegally resells as much as the kind of infringement where someone just goes and steals images in the first place. I am not saying this sort of thing is legal or okay, I am just saying I understand and that we shouldn't expect too much from agencies in this matter. I mean, Depositphotos is telling us that this sort of scumbag resale is perfectly legal (Shotshop).
-
^^ Yeah, but they're probably getting a kickback from that deal.
-
Check out this response I got on Fiverr from one of these sellers:
No, i buy this photos from website, that are Royality Free !!
Royality Free = You Can re sell them, use them in your website !
My morning headache just got worse...
-
Check out this response I got on Fiverr from one of these sellers:
No, i buy this photos from website, that are Royality Free !!
Royality Free = You Can re sell them, use them in your website !
My morning headache just got worse...
I half expected something like this... wouldn't even be surprised if they honestly thought that.
-
The thing is, SS and other agencies probably don't care. Are they going to lose subscribers because of this? Probably not, as the kind of people who purchase that "gig" and the kind of enterprises who purchase a Shutterstock subscription are hardly the same...
Subscription buyers are not always "enterprises", they are often individuals. I've been a subscriber. When I was doing more graphic design work I had a subscription, and I'm just me, no employees, no enterprise. Subscriptions are reasonably priced even for individual designers as long as they have enough work to justify the expense.
So I do think SS is losing subscribers over this Fiverr scam. These buyers are spending money on images. They could very easily find huge packs of free SS images on pirate sites, but they opt to spend money on Fiverr. Why? I suspect it's because as long as someone is spending a little money, they feel like they're not stealing and quite possibly they think they're getting legit images and licenses.
So these are people who would spend money on images, but get a better deal at Fiverr and probably think the gigs are legit. Without the Fiverr option, they would either pirate images or buy them the right way. Some will go the piracy route, sure. But some will buy images from an agency. So those sales are lost as long as the Fiverr scam continues.
And those sales I would bet are often lost OD and SOD sales. Maybe these people wouldn't spend the money on a subscription, but they might have bought an OD pack.
-
Check out this response I got on Fiverr from one of these sellers:
No, i buy this photos from website, that are Royality Free !!
Royality Free = You Can re sell them, use them in your website !
My morning headache just got worse...
To be fair, the sites (other than iS) don't make it easy to find out what the files can be used for, even if someone actually wants to check. Then when they see the T&Cs they're so long and complicated, most people probably just zone out.
I guess if they got their sub at SS you could point them directly to Clause 7 in SS's TOS or if from TS to Clause 2.2 in their Licence Information, but I suspect you won't get a "thank you, I didn't realise that" sort of response.
-
...I guess if they got their sub at SS you could point them directly to Clause 7 in SS's TOS or if from TS to Clause 2.2 in their Licence Information, but I suspect you won't get a "thank you, I didn't realise that" sort of response.
I did reply to them with that info, but I also suspect it won't lead to any acknowledgement of wrong-doing, definitely won't lead to an "oh, I'm so sorry, I'll stop selling these images right now..." ;)
-
I've written a blog post about this - and I did include a link to Mike's blog as well as this thread:
http://www.digitalbristles.com/images-that-fell-off-the-back-of-a-truck/ (http://www.digitalbristles.com/images-that-fell-off-the-back-of-a-truck/)
I've added it to my Google+ page, tweeted it (@joannsnover) and posted a link on Facebook
I'm not as P.O'd as Mike, but it's getting close :)
-
Just got mail from Fiverr, how nice to promote "Bank of shutterstock" by logovala.
-
got that this morning as well
-
Just got mail from Fiverr, how nice to promote "Bank of shutterstock" by logovala.
That's a doozy isn't it - it's one of the gigs I mentioned in my blog as it was so flagrant. When I reported a different gig to Shutterstock I mentioned that there were others, so I hope their compliance department will shut this doofus down soon.
It really does make it hard to take Fiverr seriously as an ethical business - when they're promoting one of these image thieves.
-
...I'm not as P.O'd as Mike, but it's getting close :)
Haha... I'm probably not as angry as my posts sound. More amazed, really, that this kind of insanity not only happens but is basically endorsed by Fiverr. And that Fiverr isn't your typical piracy site. It's a legit company attempting to do legit business, with staff, a Park Ave office, etc. It's just unreal that they are so not interested in doing anything about this.
-
What can they do other than look at each gig selling images that is posted and then check to see if those images are for sale by someone else? The man-hours required make that a non-starter for any business trying to make money.
@Jo Ann Snover: You can be sure that those email inclusions are generated by some sort of "others that purchased that gig also purchased" type of script. Completely automated.
I'm not defending them, just giving my opinion of how things are. Does anyone have any ideas that a company could realistically implement to stop this type of thing from happening?
-
What can they do other than look at each gig selling images that is posted and then check to see if those images are for sale by someone else? The man-hours required make that a non-starter for any business trying to make money.
That's almost like having people who download a full size image to check for imperfections, copyright issues, model releases and other things. Crazy talk!
-
thieves still online!
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d[/url])
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56[/url])
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv[/url])
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan[/url])
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/websitevala[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/websitevala[/url])
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/royalty_photo[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/royalty_photo[/url])
SS needs to remove these guys, its impossible to know which files they will get from SS so we cannot even write a DMCA letter
2 days after and SS still haven't found time to call these s*ckers! >:(
-
in the meantime one guy sold 12 gigs (last 2 days)
sold already 67 gigs (1 month)
and has 7 on the queue....
with a SS print screen :o
http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website (http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website)
-
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ providing shutterstock images/vector/illustration at affordable price +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv (http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv)
another guy that sold 56 gigs in 1 month
-
The photos that I sell are all royalty free, and you can use them to your sites or anything, without you need to paying royalties or license fees.
Just Place your order and tell me your subject, image IDs, lightbox, links. . . etc.
64 gigs sold in 24 days, 10 on the queue
http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want (http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want)
unbelievable, this thief keeps on selling.... just like others, agencies or fiverr don't give a F
now into 86 sales and 11 orders pending
shameless bastar*
-
These guys need to be stopped. Its criminal.
-
I find it unbelievable that agencies want the copyright holder to contact them, or else they cant do anything. Such bvllshit !!
Its like reporting a murder to the police and the police saying only the victim can report it.
Jaysus, when do the agencies pull their finger out of their asses? They take 70-85% of your earnings and let you rot in hell as a reward.
-
What can they do other than look at each gig selling images that is posted and then check to see if those images are for sale by ...
The sort of thing you do is select out the likely problems with software - a scan of the text of a gig, guided by the category. Computers are good at that sort of thing. You then review those with a high score, not every item. You then refine when problems are reported
You also have a policy to ban offenders - just as the stock agencies usually do
You need to have the equivalent of public executions (account closure) to let all sellers know you're serious
Sure you'll still miss a few, but you'll be much better than the current "not my problem" train wreck
-
I will send you 15 high quality stock photos, illustrations, or vectors you want from thinkstockphotos. Just let me know the topic you want me to find or let me know the image ID number you want. I will deliver them as fast as I could.
42 gigs sold
http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10 (http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10)
-
So you don't have to spend 5 $ or 10 $ per photo, you will get 25 stock photos in this price.
no problem with copyright issues.
warmest regards
Erick
http://www.fiverr.com/manofseo/find-you-25-quality-stock-photos-in-any-subject (http://www.fiverr.com/manofseo/find-you-25-quality-stock-photos-in-any-subject)
-
Yuri pictures for 5$
http://www.fiverr.com/aapta1/help-you-get-10-to-30-stock-photos-of-any-category (http://www.fiverr.com/aapta1/help-you-get-10-to-30-stock-photos-of-any-category)
-
I will give you over 225000 graphics, articles, ebooks, soundFX, stock photos and more for $5
9200 Stock Photos
7600 royalty free stock photos with full resale rights.
+ a new 1600 HD Stock photo Bonus Pack . You can use them in your designs or resell them as a pack.
http://www.fiverr.com/slyproductpack/give-you-over-75000-royalty-free-graphics-with-resale-rights (http://www.fiverr.com/slyproductpack/give-you-over-75000-royalty-free-graphics-with-resale-rights)
-
created 10 hours ago
http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-construction-projects-stock-photos (http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-construction-projects-stock-photos)
-
That's insane. Surely here we have a business who are facilitating the sale of copyrighted material. Without the proper controls and procedures in place, surely this would place the company in a questionable legal position?
Outside of the legal route, the other alternative is go give the company such a bad reputation that there site will be "flagged" or "downgraded" - much in the same way that sites allowing the download of movies get their IP blocked. That wouldn't be easy or quick, but if they continue to allow these infringements to happen; to my mind they are in the same business as those MP3 and movie sharing sites the governments are so keen to block.
-
oh great, another site!
https://www.seoclerk.com/search/stock+photo (https://www.seoclerk.com/search/stock+photo)
-
That sites mentioned in the Webutation reviews site for Fiverr.
I don't use Facebook - anyone who has can leave a review for the company here:
http://www.webutations.org/go/review/fiverr.com]
[url]http://www.webutations.org/go/review/fiverr.com (http://[url)[/url]
When Google raters (they exist) rate web pages, this site is one they check out. Not somewhere you want a bad reputation.
-
http://www.gigbucks.com (http://www.gigbucks.com)
http://www.zeerk.com (http://www.zeerk.com)
http://www.jobsforfiveeuros.com (http://www.jobsforfiveeuros.com)
http://www.ionclerk.com/ (http://www.ionclerk.com/)
-
I don't get paid to do this stuff, following one guy trail is quite easy with google, sites and more sites with gigs...
-
That's insane. Surely here we have a business who are facilitating the sale of copyrighted material. Without the proper controls and procedures in place, surely this would place the company in a questionable legal position?
Outside of the legal route, the other alternative is go give the company such a bad reputation that there site will be "flagged" or "downgraded" - much in the same way that sites allowing the download of movies get their IP blocked. That wouldn't be easy or quick, but if they continue to allow these infringements to happen; to my mind they are in the same business as those MP3 and movie sharing sites the governments are so keen to block.
Well, you can send a DMCA to the ISP and they have to take the site down. But that indeed can only be done by the copyright holder. All we need to do is set it up. Someone asks for someone else's photos to be downloaded and you have them by the balls. I am not sure if entrapment is legal in this case.
-
Just has to be enough to "rattle" the business. Not all publicity is good publicity. "Oh yeah, Fiverr - that company which acts as fence for criminals!"....
Dangerous thing the web when crossed...
-
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fence (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fence)
Just realized - "fence" might be a bit confusing outside of the U.K..
-
I will send you 15 high quality stock photos, illustrations, or vectors you want from thinkstockphotos. Just let me know the topic you want me to find or let me know the image ID number you want. I will deliver them as fast as I could.
42 gigs sold
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10[/url])
I took out a CR ticket about the TS issue on Sunday, but no reply yet.
Firstly highlights a hazard of them being underesourced in support - replies sometimes take weeks.
But will they do anything anyway?
-
Just an idea (and please don't "tar and feather" me if you hate it), but what about flooding Fiverr with complaints through the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)? I've had really great success using this whenever a large company attempts to walk all over me. Although, I believe you have to be a customer of the company-in-question to file a complaint....would it be a bad idea to purchase a stock gig and then file a complaint stating you cannot use the files because of the lack of a valid license and you were mislead by them? Complaints won't shut them down, but it will be a nail in their reputation at least.
Edit: Fixed typo.
-
http://www.bbb.org/central-northern-western-arizona/Business-Reviews/internet-marketing-services/fiverr-com-in-scottsdale-az-1000021644 (http://www.bbb.org/central-northern-western-arizona/Business-Reviews/internet-marketing-services/fiverr-com-in-scottsdale-az-1000021644)
It's a good idea - looks like they've had a few complaints in the past. If nothing else it's another way way of putting pressure on them regarding their attitude to copyright.
-
Don´t know if posting on their buyer forum will raise any concerns, I hope so, there is a good post by emberstudio.
http://forum.fiverr.com/discussion/27015/warning-about-stock-photos-sold-on-fiverr (http://forum.fiverr.com/discussion/27015/warning-about-stock-photos-sold-on-fiverr)
-
Also, by purchasing a gig (so you can file the complaint), it will allow us to leave comments directly on the gigs to warn other buyers that these guys are pirates and they are stealing.
-
You don't have to buy a gig - you can report it to the BBB as a suspected scam..
-
We should also email a link to this thread to Fiverr - see what their directors make if it...
-
Sh*t.
I filled in the whole BBB 'report a scam' form, in detail, with links to licence terms etc., completed all the fields right down the form then when I got to the bit where I had to tick to agree with their terms of use and privacy policy, I clicked the terms of use link, and when I went back to the form, it was all totally blank.
Surely that is appalling practice on the BBB site?
So, if you are thinking of doing it, you might want to scroll down to check the terms of use and privacy policy links first.
If you want to use my screenshot (TS only) here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/npnb4zk (http://tinyurl.com/npnb4zk)
-
OK, I did it all again, but I only referenced that TS page and TS's licence terms, though I mentioned the SS scam 'giggers' and linked to this thread. Luckily, I still had the relevant tabs open.
-
What can they do other than look at each gig selling images that is posted and then check to see if those images are for sale by someone else? The man-hours required make that a non-starter for any business trying to make money...
...I'm not defending them, just giving my opinion of how things are. Does anyone have any ideas that a company could realistically implement to stop this type of thing from happening?
It's simple. They can implement filters in the gig creation process to bloke the posting of questionable gigs. For example, any gig containing the text "Shutterstock". For what legitimate reason would anyone be posting a gig that mentions Shutterstock? So any gig with that text gets blocked or flagged for review.
They probably already have filters in place to block profanity, sexually explicit language, etc. It would be really easy to add to the filtering capabilities already in place.
-
What can they do other than look at each gig selling images that is posted and then check to see if those images are for sale by someone else? The man-hours required make that a non-starter for any business trying to make money...
...I'm not defending them, just giving my opinion of how things are. Does anyone have any ideas that a company could realistically implement to stop this type of thing from happening?
It's simple. They can implement filters in the gig creation process to bloke the posting of questionable gigs. For example, any gig containing the text "Shutterstock". For what legitimate reason would anyone be posting a gig that mentions Shutterstock? So any gig with that text gets blocked or flagged for review.
They probably already have filters in place to block profanity, sexually explicit language, etc. It would be really easy to add to the filtering capabilities already in place.
At the very least, they should investigate complaints.
-
What can they do other than look at each gig selling images that is posted and then check to see if those images are for sale by someone else? The man-hours required make that a non-starter for any business trying to make money...
...I'm not defending them, just giving my opinion of how things are. Does anyone have any ideas that a company could realistically implement to stop this type of thing from happening?
It's simple. They can implement filters in the gig creation process to bloke the posting of questionable gigs. For example, any gig containing the text "Shutterstock". For what legitimate reason would anyone be posting a gig that mentions Shutterstock? So any gig with that text gets blocked or flagged for review.
They probably already have filters in place to block profanity, sexually explicit language, etc. It would be really easy to add to the filtering capabilities already in place.
exactly! I noticed another thing, most of the gigs description is pretty much the same, almost the same text and format, which means they are copying from each other or its the same guy
-
Bet if I started an Amazon or Ebay shop and started selling drugs online it would soon cause me a problem! These companies should not be able to act with impunity. I'm pretty sure there are legal obligations to running a business...
-
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ providing shutterstock images/vector/illustration at affordable price +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/clickadv[/url])
another guy that sold 56 gigs in 1 month
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8294845/clickadv.JPG)
-
Very tempting to contact all those leaving positive reviews for these sellers. Very easy to do as well if you're a member...
-
Very tempting to contact all those leaving positive reviews for these sellers. Very easy to do as well if you're a member...
I have ;D
given 24 hours to a guy and he said he will remove it from all sites, like I haven't reported him here already ;D
to sum it up, he bought the 222500 pack at ebay ;D
-
Ah - yours must be the recent review. I contact a couple of recent buyers as well.
-
Bet if I started an Amazon or Ebay shop and started selling drugs online it would soon cause me a problem! These companies should not be able to act with impunity. I'm pretty sure there are legal obligations to running a business...
I don't know about drugs etc, but according to Wikipedia (if anyone has the time, they can follow up the links), "DMCA Title II, the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act ("OCILLA"), creates a safe harbor for online service providers (OSPs, including ISPs) against copyright infringement liability, provided they meet specific requirements. OSPs must adhere to and qualify for certain prescribed safe harbor guidelines and promptly block access to alleged infringing material (or remove such material from their systems) when they receive notification of an infringement claim from a copyright holder or the copyright holder's agent. ..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act#Title_II:_Online_Copyright_Infringement_Liability_Limitation_Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act#Title_II:_Online_Copyright_Infringement_Liability_Limitation_Act)
-
Ah - yours must be the recent review. I contact a couple of recent buyers as well.
only contacted sellers on PM messages, haven't placed any reviews, just seen a negative review, nice job!
-
I did the same - not the review alas...
-
Good work everyone, don't stop.
-
I tweeted about this again this morning
https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/448834260183445504
I think we need to keep up the messages (I saw Mike had done that this morning too) in every way possible to make it clear this is a very risky place to shop.
It's very bad news that a seller seemed to think it was OK to resell his SS subscription files because the creator got paid (ignoring conveniently that we get paid once and he sells, or tries to, multiple times). Maybe Shutterstock needs to do something in a buyer newsletter hammering home that resales are not OK? It'd be nice if they'd also say that subscriptions would get canceled if you get caught. They would fairly easily be able to set up a sting with a marked bill (an image with something embedded) and then make a request for it as a fake buyer on Fiverr...
-
I tweeted about this again this morning
https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/448834260183445504
I think we need to keep up the messages (I saw Mike had done that this morning too) in every way possible to make it clear this is a very risky place to shop...
I guess this is my morning routine this week. Get the coffee going, sit down and check emails, yell at Fiverr... :)
-
Sh*t.
I filled in the whole BBB 'report a scam' form, in detail, with links to licence terms etc., completed all the fields right down the form then when I got to the bit where I had to tick to agree with their terms of use and privacy policy, I clicked the terms of use link, and when I went back to the form, it was all totally blank.
Surely that is appalling practice on the BBB site?
So, if you are thinking of doing it, you might want to scroll down to check the terms of use and privacy policy links first.
If you want to use my screenshot (TS only) here it is:
[url]http://tinyurl.com/npnb4zk[/url] ([url]http://tinyurl.com/npnb4zk[/url])
I have had this happen to me on sites before. Frustrating. I always right click on the terms/privacy links and select "open a new tab." Just to be sure I don't lose my open page and data.
-
You don't have to buy a gig - you can report it to the BBB as a suspected scam..
Good to know. Off to file my scam report....
-
Very tempting to contact all those leaving positive reviews for these sellers. Very easy to do as well if you're a member...
I have ;D
given 24 hours to a guy and he said he will remove it from all sites, like I haven't reported him here already ;D
to sum it up, he bought the 222500 pack at ebay ;D
he just sent me a message saying he removed his gigs from all sites! :)
-
The photos that I sell are all royalty free, and you can use them to your sites or anything, without you need to paying royalties or license fees.
Just Place your order and tell me your subject, image IDs, lightbox, links. . . etc.
64 gigs sold in 24 days, 10 on the queue
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want[/url])
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8294845/max.JPG)
-
created 10 hours ago
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-construction-projects-stock-photos[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-construction-projects-stock-photos[/url])
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8294845/mag.JPG)
-
^^ Hmmm, they're promising you 'similar' pictures, not necessarily the same ones.
???
-
^^ Hmmm, they're promising you 'similar' pictures, not necessarily the same ones.
???
yeah, anyway ts pretty much the same thing, he/she will get similar looking at what he/she have downloaded on the previous times, must have a folder with pictures from all categories
still thief but with a different smell
-
^^ Hmmm, they're promising you 'similar' pictures, not necessarily the same ones.
???
yeah, anyway ts pretty much the same thing, he/she will get similar looking at what he/she have downloaded on the previous times, must have a folder with pictures from all categories
still thief but with a different smell
Absolutely, sorry, I didn't mean to defend them, just noting the weasel wording.
-
no worries Sue!
-
I received another email from a Fiverr employee today. For the most part it kind of just repeats what was said in the email I got from their legal team. They are willing to help if my work is being infringed, but we all know that's not really helpful in most of these gigs where specific work being sold isn't identified.
On the positive side of things, I've been invited to speak with this Fiverr representative on the phone, so hopefully we will be able to set up a call soon. It's not much progress, but it's something.
Also on the plus side, it looks like any gig that specifically mentions Shutterstock in the gig description is gone. Some non-specific gigs remain, including one that uses a screenshot of the SS homepage and another that uses a thinkstock screenshot. But again, it's progress.
If there is any new information I can share after the phone call, I certainly will share it here.
-
,
-
The agencies should be paying you for doing their job.
Maybe. But every once in a while I think we've got to be willing to do a little more than what's fair.
That said, I've gone just about as far as I'm willing to go. If nothing comes of this phone call, I don't think I can personally invest any more time in this. I'm sort of impressed that this little social action managed to get me to the point where I can actually speak to someone about the issue, but at the same time it's been yet another eye-opening experience about just how screwed up the stock business is and how little concern there is for protecting our work.
I say that with microstock specifically in mind, and feeling like between this stuff and the recent partner program problems, microstock is becoming way too much of a hostile environment for artists. It's always been that way to some extent, but lately I feel like I've been inching closer and closer to my personal line in the sand, beyond which I just can't go any further. I think that line is coming up on me faster than I expected.
-
So this morning's find was this scumbucket who's offering three different artist's work in his samples:
gig
http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-healthcare-stock-photos (http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-healthcare-stock-photos)
Photos on Shutterstock (the dentist one isn't right but it's the same artist and models)
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-137658929/stock-photo-smiling-asian-medical-doctor-and-senior-woman.html (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-137658929/stock-photo-smiling-asian-medical-doctor-and-senior-woman.html)
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-131366687/stock-photo-two-young-sporty-women-run-on-machine-in-the-gym-centre.html (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-131366687/stock-photo-two-young-sporty-women-run-on-machine-in-the-gym-centre.html)
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-163217636/stock-photo-little-girl-sitting-in-the-dentists-office.html (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-163217636/stock-photo-little-girl-sitting-in-the-dentists-office.html)
Two Russian and one Japanese photographer and the gig guy is in Morocco - offering other 30 for $5 deals
http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti (http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti)
There is no way he's legit - this crap about it could the gig owners own work doesn't fly. I can't file DMCA as none of it's my work.
But I tweeted again this morning
https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/449229625801990144 (https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/449229625801990144)
Sergey Nivens' work is on a ton of sites. Even though I know these works aren't the product of the sleeze who's selling them, who can force a takedown? If the agency can't show the works came from them, perhaps they can't even do it?
I don't know any of these folks to have a quick way to contact them - as the copyright holder they don't have to prove where they came from for a DMCA notice.
I guess just trying to persuade buyers to stay away from Fiverr is the best bet...
-
So here's what I've been told:
1. Fiverr communicates with Shutterstock frequently. They have had conversations about the issue of stock image resale and discussed how to manage the situation. Presently they have agreed on a policy of removing gigs when they are reported either by Shutterstock or by an artist who can use the DMCA and prove both the violation and the ownership.
2. Fiverr does have filters in place to block gigs from being posted that contain certain terms/phrases. Currently those filters are used to block profanity and other specific language. It is possible to block the use of stock agency names, for example "Shutterstock" or "Thinkstock". My understanding is that Shutterstock has been made aware of this possibility, but because Shutterstock has not requested this filtering, Fiverr does not do it. I don't fully understand why Shutterstock would be opposed to that, but I've been told it has something to do not wanting to limit people who could legitimately use the company name in a gig. As remote as the chances are (in my opinion) that someone would use a stock company name in a gig for legal purposes, the possibility exists that it could happen.
3. The biggest problem Fiverr has with dealing with these reselling gigs is that they are sometimes hard to prove to be infringing on any artists' rights. We can figure it out pretty easily, but we're a bit better than most folks at being able to track this stuff down. Some are obvious, some aren't, and occasionally some are legit and offer images that can be sold.
It seems to mainly be an issue of Fiverr wanting to only react to potentially infringing gigs when there is proof of infringement directly from the artist or (preferably) Shutterstock (or whatever company is involved).
Do they respond to requests to remove gigs? Yes. Is it done in a way that I'm satisfied with? No. Can I do anything about that? Probably not.
I still wish Fiverr would be more pro-active with this. But that likely isn't going to happen, so this is where the issue seems to end for me. Shutterstock really could be pressuring them to do more, but they're not. If Shutterstock (and other companies as well) are satisfied with Fiverr's response to these gigs, there is very little incentive to change anything about how they handle this.
-
Quite upsetting news about Shutterstock not pushing the envelope on this over brand risk management.
-
Thanks for posting the response you received.
I think it's 100% inadequate and I don't think Fiverr has to prove anything. At a very minimum, just as a start, they might try doing the things Envato did a while back - writing detailed instructions for contributors on what is and isn't OK.
I haven't signed up with Fiverr, but I looked around the site, forums and help and they don't seem to have anything that tells people posting gigs that they must own the rights to the things they sell and warning them about account closures if they violate the rules.
Fiverr is making ZERO effort to educate the sellers about copyright, resale rights, etc. for images and illustrations. I'm betting that there is nothing like the "I own the copyright" statement that stock contributors have to agree to with all uploads for gig posters to agree to.
If Fiverr wants to be a legitimate market place for stock images and illustrations, they need to make an effort to make it very clear to contributors of gigs that they have a zero tolerance policy for offering items the gig poster has no right to sell, and that anything obtained from any stock agency NEVER has resale rights and so must not be posted in any gig.
I saw a lot of media coverage listed on the Fiverr web site. I wonder if we could get some of those outlets to be interested in a "great idea headed for oblivion because they won't tackle the thieves on the streetcorners of their virtual neighborhood" story?
If Fiverr put half the effort into dealing with this that they do into making excuses as to why nothing can be done we might get somewhere.
https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/449273561086435328
-
So this morning's find was this scumbucket who's offering three different artist's work in his samples:
gig
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-healthcare-stock-photos[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/mazgiti/provide-a-killer-30-healthcare-stock-photos[/url])
If there are more like this, then another angle could be used. He is also selling those DVDs illegally I assume. If we could figure out who the publisher is and let them in on the game. Publishers are probably more concerned about their property and may have legal teams to pursue this kind of thing.
-
I saw a lot of media coverage listed on the Fiverr web site. I wonder if we could get some of those outlets to be interested in a "great idea headed for oblivion because they won't tackle the thieves on the streetcorners of their virtual neighborhood" story?
If you submit a complaint to BBB, there is a box to tick if you are willing to speak to media about the issue. No idea how that works.
-
So I thought some more about this mess yesterday and came to the conclusion that it was unlikely the Fiverr gigs selling stock were going to go away, so I would try a blog post aimed at sellers, showing them how they could do this legitimately (and why their subscription at Shutterstock or Thinkstock doesn't entitle them to resell what they download)
http://www.digitalbristles.com/fiverr-sellers-top-10-tips-for-stock-image-gigs/ (http://www.digitalbristles.com/fiverr-sellers-top-10-tips-for-stock-image-gigs/)
I'll see if I can make an accounnt and post this in the Fiverr forums (link below). It's really too bad Fiverr isn't trying to educate sellers better.
http://forum.fiverr.com/discussion/27412/top-10-tips-for-gigs-selling-stock-images (http://forum.fiverr.com/discussion/27412/top-10-tips-for-gigs-selling-stock-images)
I also added a note to Mike's post in their forums
-
That's almost like having people who download a full size image to check for imperfections, copyright issues, model releases and other things. Crazy talk!
Stock sites pay 15-20% while Fiverr pays 80%.
Just sayin'
-
That's almost like having people who download a full size image to check for imperfections, copyright issues, model releases and other things. Crazy talk!
Stock sites pay 15-20% while Fiverr pays 80%.
Just sayin'
But look at their own FAQ for sellers (my emphasis):
"My Gig wasn’t approved or its pending review, why?
When a Gig is pending review, our editors are taking a look at it to make sure that everything is fine and dandy with our Terms of Service. This is to insure the quality of Gigs that are active on Fiverr as well as compliance. If the Gig wasn't approved, you will receive an email notification specifying why that Gig didn’t pass our editors’ review. - See more at: http://forum.fiverr.com/discussion/11298/fiverr-faq-sellers#sthash.XTJK0e4r.dpuf (http://forum.fiverr.com/discussion/11298/fiverr-faq-sellers#sthash.XTJK0e4r.dpuf)"
So they are reviewing gigs and somehow allowing so many of them which show samples from multiple stock portfolios (with sellers in locations that make the content they're selling highly unlikely)?
-
Among the many odd things about Fiverr as a marketplace is the set of rules about anonymity - and I guess I already broke that in my choice of user name when I signed up, although I didn't read the terms (http://www.fiverr.com/terms_of_service)until after I signed up...
You're not allowed to post any links to other sites; not allowed to communicate with a buyer anywhere else (no e-mail, only site mail);
"To protect our users' privacy, user identities must be kept anonymous. Requesting or providing Email addresses, Skype/IM usernames, telephone numbers or any other personal contact details (other than your name) to communicate outside of the Fiverr network is not permitted."
In the age of Google, if anyone has an online presence already, if you have their name you can find out how to contact them with a simple search.
Plus, if you were selling stock - legitimately - through their site (a) google images would tell you in a minute who was the owner of the photos; (b) I might want to know who I'm dealing with, not some "knock three times and ask for Fred" setup where I don't know if the copyright holder and the Gig seller were one and the same.
Now in the gigs I've looked at thus far with professional stock photos, they have had multiple portfolios represented, so I know they're bogus. But I gave a moments thought to putting together a collection of blog size images as a bundle and offering those for $5 (the fake-o folks are offering full size; I'd be offering blog sizes). The whole stay anonymous thing seems to me to be a bit of a problem though, on top of the residual worry about the way the marketplace is set up. In particular, I'd never offer full size images though them and I'd love to be able to have anyone who wanted something larger to do that elsewhere (my site or an agency).
As it was I couldn't post a link to my blog with the seller tips - although fortunately I could add the text to google after the link was removed - jo ann snover blog digital bristles finds it. One user (who had previously gotten into trouble for reselling images) asked if I could put the blog text in the forum. I replied that the blog had links to lots of useful information and no off site links are allowed, so it wouldn't work.
-
So they are reviewing gigs and somehow allowing so many of them which show samples from multiple stock portfolios (with sellers in locations that make the content they're selling highly unlikely)?
I didn't realize that. Thanks for pointing it out.
I've never sold anything there, but I'm considering selling my own images after reading about all of this.
-
they aren't reviewing anything Jo Ann, I made a gig a week or so ago and it was active the second after
-
I would have guessed not from the response they gave Mike, but this is from their seller FAQ. So possibly certain categories get flagged?
-
Fiverr did mention to me that they are interested getting more stock image gigs direct from artists, maybe even set up a separate category/section. If anyone wants to sell at Fiverr, definitely reach out to them with any questions. They do seem receptive to getting some legit photo gigs going.
-
Fiverr did mention to me that they are interested getting more stock image gigs direct from artists, maybe even set up a separate category/section. If anyone wants to sell at Fiverr, definitely reach out to them with any questions. They do seem receptive to getting some legit photo gigs going.
I've been toying with the idea of offering packages of blog sized images there (and probably on my own site). Picking things I think would make sense for bloggers and others looking to do things on the cheap and packaging them so they're an attractive deal but not a giveaway. I don't think I need any help from them to set it up though - I was looking through my pile of stuff to see what might make sense and think how to bundle.
All communications and deliveries take place through their system, so I guess I'd have to make a zip file with the license and the JPEGs, but I don't know how that part works. Given their attitudes towards IP, I'm a bit gun shy about working with them. Has the taste of Deposit Photos a bit...
-
I'm really depressed!
I reported two bogus gigs to Fiverr support. Both are still up and the response was that they'd forward to the editors and would not let me know the outcome for "privacy" reasons.
I was searching gigs and came upon a Shutterstock contributor who is offering his own Fiverr gig - 79 images for $5!! What on earth would make someone do that? Even just as 38 cent subs he would make $30 for those sales on SS...
http://www.fiverr.com/andreipop/deliver-79-royalty-free-stock-photos-copyright-free-stock-images (http://www.fiverr.com/andreipop/deliver-79-royalty-free-stock-photos-copyright-free-stock-images)
http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-490780p1.html (http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-490780p1.html)
Then I found some images in gigs that offered 100 stock photos for $5 but couldn't find the photos on a stock site and found this bizarro universe where they're flogging Private Label Resale packages. You can buy for $5.99 from here
http://www.theplrstore.com/100-plr-people-images-graphics-p-3411.htm (http://www.theplrstore.com/100-plr-people-images-graphics-p-3411.htm)
and then resell on Fiverr as many times as you like. Google image searches for a couple of the images turned up many, many websites using these
http://www.fiverr.com/savagequest/send-you-100-awesome-royalty-free-business-stock-photos (http://www.fiverr.com/savagequest/send-you-100-awesome-royalty-free-business-stock-photos)
The same images get offered as a bonus if you sign up for a service that seems to be about making web sites to make money
http://www.super-resell.com/templates-amp-graphics/101-transperant-biz-images (http://www.super-resell.com/templates-amp-graphics/101-transperant-biz-images)
http://resellrightsplus.com/101-transparent-biz-images/ (http://resellrightsplus.com/101-transparent-biz-images/)
It's likely this 100 image pack is legally sold and resold, but at those prices it makes complaints about a race to the bottom with agencies seem almost funny.
There were some gigs offering the sellers own images - not all that good, admitedly - with 79 waterfalls and beaches, or 107 nature scenes for $5. That's more like the free stock sites in that there's a clear quality/style difference, but in a way it's worse because they're charging. If you wanted to offer a legitimate gig you're competing with that sort of pricing, even if the images are not very good.
Here are the two gigs I reported to Fiverr support (with no apparent effect):
http://www.fiverr.com/stockimage/send-you-our-holiday-stock-photo-pack (http://www.fiverr.com/stockimage/send-you-our-holiday-stock-photo-pack)
At a minimum, the above gig is violating their TOS by using images the seller doesn't own in the gallery I give Fiverr support links to one (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-60718204/stock-photo-portrait-of-beautiful-sexy-girl-wearing-santa-claus-clothes.html), two (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-65793043/stock-photo-christmas.htm), http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-141719401/stock-photo-group-of-friends-celebrating-st-patrick-s-day-at-a-pub.html (http://[url=http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-141719401/stock-photo-group-of-friends-celebrating-st-patrick-s-day-at-a-pub.html)]three[/url] of the images. If they're not actually selling SS images, then it's fraud.
http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website (http://www.fiverr.com/vlad56/sent-you-20-stock-photos-you-pick-at-stock-photos-website)
-
The photos that I sell are all royalty free, and you can use them to your sites or anything, without you need to paying royalties or license fees.
Just Place your order and tell me your subject, image IDs, lightbox, links. . . etc.
64 gigs sold in 24 days, 10 on the queue
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/maxsmorgan/send-you-20-stock-photos-vectors-you-want[/url])
unbelievable, this thief keeps on selling.... just like others, agencies or fiverr don't give a F
now into 86 sales and 11 orders pending (he had 22 sales in 5 days)
shameless bastar*
-
I almost want to deposit 50$ and go hunting for the biggest sellers, give them id´s of my own images and document everything. From the official response this seems like the only way to shut them down at the moment, or am I missing something?
-
.
-
With over 300 employees and their new bright offices, it seems that SS could appoint someone to go after this guy. He says he's an SS contributor, he downloads specific lightboxes created by their costumers; the same costumers could be traced through theis IP's (when going to the lightbox) or fiverr names (you can find someof them by simply googling their fiverr nicknames)... There are a thousand things they could do, if they really cared. Maybe they can assume this loss... But, what about SS contributors?
-
The gig with the graphic of the Shutterstock home page and an invitation to submit image IDs is apparently now no longer available. I guess that's a small step in the right direction.
As far as a sting getting someone to buy your own images, (a) given the information already provided, if either Shutterstock or Fiverr were going to act, they have enough to do so and (b) you wouldn't want to get yourself in trouble with Shutterstock in any way by appearing to game their system by buying your own images.
-
If he has a real SS account couldn't someone just pay $5, get him to download some obscure images and then shut down the account that downloaded them? Seems easy enough.
you can do it yourself as well, anyway its not 1 but a little more
-
.
-
If he has a real SS account couldn't someone just pay $5, get him to download some obscure images and then shut down the account that downloaded them? Seems easy enough.
you can do it yourself as well, anyway its not 1 but a little more
I was thinking SS could do it.
you said someone, anyway that is not important, this needs to be sorted out
-
.
-
If he has a real SS account couldn't someone just pay $5, get him to download some obscure images and then shut down the account that downloaded them? Seems easy enough.
you can do it yourself as well, anyway its not 1 but a little more
I was thinking SS could do it.
you said someone, anyway that is not important, this needs to be sorted out
Someone from SS, they are the only ones who can close his account.
u haven't writen that
-
.
-
LOL
you haven't written about SS buying the gig, u said someone, end of story
anyway you have done tons to solve this matter, thanks for that!
-
.
-
LOL
you haven't written about SS buying the gig, u said someone, end of story
anyway you have done tons to solve this matter, thanks for that!
I'm not sure what your problem is Luis. The only ones who can shut down a SS account are people from SS, someone from SS would be the only person able to do this.
again you haven't said that
-
.
-
Regarding this gig
http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d/give-you-50-full-hd-people-photos (http://www.fiverr.com/mrxr00t3d/give-you-50-full-hd-people-photos)
I have contacted the photographer who took the baby in a crib image giving her links to the gig and Fiverr's DMCA report
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-1284707/stock-photo-baby-boy-smiling-in-crib.htm (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-1284707/stock-photo-baby-boy-smiling-in-crib.htm)
The instructions when you create a gig are that you must own the copyrights to the images, which this guy in morroco obviously doesn't to that baby image. As my complaint on the 400 holiday images gig (noted above) hasn't resulted in a takedown, perhaps having the image owner make the complaint will get some response.
-
LOL
you haven't written about SS buying the gig, u said someone, end of story
anyway you have done tons to solve this matter, thanks for that!
I'm not sure what your problem is Luis. The only ones who can shut down a SS account are people from SS, someone from SS would be the only person able to do this.
again you haven't said that
If he has a real SS account couldn't someone (from SS) just pay $5, get him to download some obscure images and then shut down the account that downloaded them? Seems easy enough.
It's written out for you, can you understand now?
much better ticktock
-
If any of these sellers turn out to be located in Germany, let me know. I will go after them.
No use in trying it anywhere else though. (for me)
-
Fiverr did mention to me that they are interested getting more stock image gigs direct from artists, maybe even set up a separate category/section. If anyone wants to sell at Fiverr, definitely reach out to them with any questions. They do seem receptive to getting some legit photo gigs going.
I've been toying with the idea of offering packages of blog sized images there (and probably on my own site). Picking things I think would make sense for bloggers and others looking to do things on the cheap and packaging them so they're an attractive deal but not a giveaway. I don't think I need any help from them to set it up though - I was looking through my pile of stuff to see what might make sense and think how to bundle.
All communications and deliveries take place through their system, so I guess I'd have to make a zip file with the license and the JPEGs, but I don't know how that part works. Given their attitudes towards IP, I'm a bit gun shy about working with them. Has the taste of Deposit Photos a bit...
Really? Perhaps I'm missing some implied message, but if not:
No site is perfect, but fiverr hardly seems a company anyone who respects copyrights would want to be associated with.
-
Fiverr did mention to me that they are interested getting more stock image gigs direct from artists, maybe even set up a separate category/section. If anyone wants to sell at Fiverr, definitely reach out to them with any questions. They do seem receptive to getting some legit photo gigs going.
I've been toying with the idea of offering packages of blog sized images there (and probably on my own site). Picking things I think would make sense for bloggers and others looking to do things on the cheap and packaging them so they're an attractive deal but not a giveaway. I don't think I need any help from them to set it up though - I was looking through my pile of stuff to see what might make sense and think how to bundle.
All communications and deliveries take place through their system, so I guess I'd have to make a zip file with the license and the JPEGs, but I don't know how that part works. Given their attitudes towards IP, I'm a bit gun shy about working with them. Has the taste of Deposit Photos a bit...
Really? Perhaps I'm missing some implied message, but if not:
No site is perfect, but fiverr hardly seems a company anyone who respects copyrights would want to be associated with.
I don't think you were missing anything - at least I didn't have any unspoken message in mind :)
I am still thinking over the idea of packages of blog sized images, but for my own site only at this point.
I don't want to rule out new marketplaces too quickly - don't want to be the 2014 equivalent of the traditional agencies pooh-poohing microstock - but the response (or mostly lack thereof) from Fiverr to the complaints of obvious abuse has been unsatisfactory so far.
-
Fiverr did mention to me that they are interested getting more stock image gigs direct from artists, maybe even set up a separate category/section. If anyone wants to sell at Fiverr, definitely reach out to them with any questions. They do seem receptive to getting some legit photo gigs going.
I've been toying with the idea of offering packages of blog sized images there (and probably on my own site). Picking things I think would make sense for bloggers and others looking to do things on the cheap and packaging them so they're an attractive deal but not a giveaway. I don't think I need any help from them to set it up though - I was looking through my pile of stuff to see what might make sense and think how to bundle.
All communications and deliveries take place through their system, so I guess I'd have to make a zip file with the license and the JPEGs, but I don't know how that part works. Given their attitudes towards IP, I'm a bit gun shy about working with them. Has the taste of Deposit Photos a bit...
Really? Perhaps I'm missing some implied message, but if not:
No site is perfect, but fiverr hardly seems a company anyone who respects copyrights would want to be associated with.
I don't think you were missing anything - at least I didn't have any unspoken message in mind :)
I am still thinking over the idea of packages of blog sized images, but for my own site only at this point.
I don't want to rule out new marketplaces too quickly - don't want to be the 2014 equivalent of the traditional agencies pooh-poohing microstock - but the response (or mostly lack thereof) from Fiverr to the complaints of obvious abuse has been unsatisfactory so far.
I started thinking about the same. My main goal would be NOT just to sell my images BUT, by phrasing my offer accordingly, to inform buyers about the shady deal they get from those shutterstock "resellers", promote the fair trade aspect of buying directly from the artist and to drive traffic to my Symbiostock site. I hope I find some time soon to check out if/how that would be possible on Fiverr.
If a 100 or so of us with their own sites would do that regularly it should have some impact. At least assuming that not all image buyers over there at Fiverr are hard-core pirates...
-
...My main goal would be NOT just to sell my images BUT, by phrasing my offer accordingly, to inform buyers about the shady deal they get from those shutterstock "resellers", promote the fair trade aspect of buying directly from the artist and to drive traffic to my Symbiostock site. ..
The only links they permit off site are to YouTube or to Flickr, so you'd have to indirectly guide buyers to your own site via either of those. Fiverr's goal (explicitly stated in one of the FAQs for sellers) is to have all links inbound to Fiverr - so you can promote your gig on your own site but not direct the gig buyer elsewhere. And they say they will terminate the account for not following the rules.
The private label deals, which I think are legit, are 100 images for $5 and the contributor who's openly selling his own portfolio at 79 for $5 or 107 for $5 makes it really hard to consider what I had in mind - a package of blog sized images at a discount
-
...My main goal would be NOT just to sell my images BUT, by phrasing my offer accordingly, to inform buyers about the shady deal they get from those shutterstock "resellers", promote the fair trade aspect of buying directly from the artist and to drive traffic to my Symbiostock site. ..
The only links they permit off site are to YouTube or to Flickr, so you'd have to indirectly guide buyers to your own site via either of those. Fiverr's goal (explicitly stated in one of the FAQs for sellers) is to have all links inbound to Fiverr - so you can promote your gig on your own site but not direct the gig buyer elsewhere. And they say they will terminate the account for not following the rules.
The private label deals, which I think are legit, are 100 images for $5 and the contributor who's openly selling his own portfolio at 79 for $5 or 107 for $5 makes it really hard to consider what I had in mind - a package of blog sized images at a discount
No direct link is bad. Maybe I try my link as plain text and see if that'll fly. Others name shutterstock, thinkstock, depositphotos and so on in their gigs, too. Hard to compete with those rates if you want to preserve a bit of self-respect, though. I was thinking to offer 4 or 5 bloggees for $5. As I said, I wouldn't expect to get rich...
-
Fiverr ...d they say they will terminate the account for not following the rules.
However, break other websites' T&Cs and that's just hunky-dory.
-
I can't figure how I'd want to sell images on Fiverr. If you can't link to a portfolio offsite, then you can't do one of those "pick an image from my portfolio" sort of deals. And I wouldn't do a bundle for $5. I'd only want to sell 1 vector for $5. So I'd have to run a separate gig for each image. No thanks.
Besides, it's not like Fiverr has exactly redeemed themselves here. They made some progress with taking down the gigs that used "Shutterstock" in the descriptions, so when you do a search for "shutterstock" nothing comes up. That's good. But then the blatant Thinkstock gig is still up, as are some other stock image gigs that are a little more vague but still identifiable as selling images they don't have the right to sell. So why would I want to sell my stuff there and do something that puts a buck in Fiverr's pocket?
-
But then the blatant Thinkstock gig is still up ...
It is, but I contacted iS CR on 23rd March about this. As I've only have an auto-reply, I don't know if they've even looked at it yet, or what the story is. It is still showing on my ticket list.
-
I can't figure how I'd want to sell images on Fiverr. ...Besides, it's not like Fiverr has exactly redeemed themselves here. They made some progress with taking down the gigs that used "Shutterstock" in the descriptions...But then the blatant Thinkstock gig is still up, as are some other stock image gigs that are a little more vague but still identifiable as selling images they don't have the right to sell. ...
For me, that's the clear indicator that they just don't care about the legitimacy of what's being sold as long as they get their $1 per sale.
This gig - which I reported - is still up. I gave them links to several of those images in the collage - from different artists - pointing out that even if they weren't selling those images it was fraud (showing them as if that was the product) and violating their terms of service that the seller own the copyrights to their gallery photo.
http://www.fiverr.com/stockimage/send-you-our-holiday-stock-photo-pack (http://www.fiverr.com/stockimage/send-you-our-holiday-stock-photo-pack)
I'm working on the blog packs for my own site and I'll keep an eye on Fiverr to see if they clean up their act in the future. My hope is that they clean up or shut down, but I'm not spending any more time doing the agencies work for them unless one of my own images gets into a Fiverr bundle.
-
So the Thinkstock gig is still there
http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10 (http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10)
The holiday images noted above is still there: http://www.fiverr.com/stockimage/send-you-our-holiday-stock-photo-pack (http://www.fiverr.com/stockimage/send-you-our-holiday-stock-photo-pack)
This gig (http://www.fiverr.com/empress80/provide-15-hq-royalty-free-stock-photo-of-any-subject) is a similar setup - the background images are from multiple photographers (I located this one (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-138946757/stock-photo-loving-parents-kissing-little-daughter-in-kitchen.html) and this one (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-97488857/stock-photo-healthy-breakfast-for-happy-life-mother-serving-kids-with-salad.html) on Shutterstock). As Fiverr did not remove the holiday setup I'm not going to bother to report this one to them.
They're clearly not concerned about what gets sold on their marketplace, beyond lip service to the rules.
-
I suppose people could start complaining to GoDaddy, their host, but writing to whatever they call the FTC in Israel is useless.
For me, that's the clear indicator that they just don't care about the legitimacy of what's being sold as long as they get their $1 per sale.
Sound right.
-
So the Thinkstock gig is still there
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10[/url])
Indeedy. On 8th April I got this reply from iStock's CR:
"Thank you for reaching out to us.
Please know that our Compliance Team is continuously monitoring these nuisance posts and working towards having them removed when possible.
Please keep in mind that if a 3rd party does take up one of these requests and then uses the image(s), they are doing so without a license and would be held accountable for that.
Regards,"
which, although it is presumably a canned answer, I thought was 'odd' inasmuch as I wouldn't exactly call Fiverr 'nuisance posts' as such, and surely going after the people who are selling the gigs would be far better than chasing up the 3rd party, who may be acting in reasonable faith, inasmuch as at least they're not just going out lifting images from the internet. How likely is it that someone using a TS file without a licence would be caught out and 'held accountable'?
And ten days the TS gig is still there, like you pointed out.
Why can't/won't TS/Getty's compliance team get something done about it?
-
Because it costs them more money to chase up and they aren't losing enough from these gigs.
They don't care about the artists, just about Getty's bottom line
-
Resurrecting an old one here...
I've been following a Twitter discussion about Fiverr today, and it has some relevancy to the topic of stock images being illegally resold there.
The Twitter discussion was about $5 logos and Fiverr promoting the service mush to the dismay of designers everywhere. For that discussion check out @zombiebacons on twitter (NSFW language). It gets pretty hilarious when Fiverr reprimands the guy for using profanity.
Anyway, in that discussion someone linked to a blog post titled The $5 Logo (http://blog.folyo.me/the-5-dollar-logo/) in which someone creates a fake startup with a backstory and hires some Fiverr designers to create $5 logos for this fake company.
It starts off with Fiverr "designers" posting examples of their previous logo work, including lots of stuff they didn't actually do themselves and just stole from various design showcase sites. And it ends with a bunch of designs that aren't even worth $5 because they can't actually be used.
They were mostly useless not just in terms of how they were delivered (on non-white backgrounds and you have to pay extra to get the source files) but they included what appeared to be an existing logo just copy-and-pasted into a new image, and (of course) some stock vectors. In the comments of the blog post people very easily found the stock images that were used in the purchased logos.
How this company manages to stay in business is beyond me. The stock image issue is amazing, and how little the agencies seem interested in doing about the infringements is equally amazing. Now on top of that, we can see that Fiverr doesn't care if people completely misrepresent what they offer by showing work they didn't do themselves. And they also don't care if people pass off copyrighted material, design, even possibly trademarked logos and graphics as original work.
Yet somehow they're still in business, happily profiting from rampant infringement of images, graphics, logos, vectors, and surely lots of other digital goods. And somehow no one seems to be able to (or interested in) putting a stop to it.
-
So the Thinkstock gig is still there
[url]http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10[/url] ([url]http://www.fiverr.com/nanico/send-you-10-high-quality-stock-photos-illustrations-or-vectors-you-want--10[/url])
Indeedy. On 8th April I got this reply from iStock's CR:
"Thank you for reaching out to us.
Please know that our Compliance Team is continuously monitoring these nuisance posts and working towards having them removed when possible.
Please keep in mind that if a 3rd party does take up one of these requests and then uses the image(s), they are doing so without a license and would be held accountable for that.
Regards,"
And in August, that gig is still there. Hard to rank the dirtbags here - the outfit offering the gig, Fiverr, Getty or the people buying it (who have to know these items aren't legit).
That blog post ($5 logo) is priceless - thanks for posting a link.
-
I see there's a new hashtag getting some use today: #f--kfiverr
:)
And in an interesting irony, Fiverr has been promoting their $5 logo design services using a Getty stock photo (http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/lonely-royalty-free-image/157534294). At the size they used it in for the ad it's $45 for the photo.
Guess they're going well on all of these gigs selling copyrighted material if they can afford to shop at Getty.
-
nothing, ..
just did this to keep this thread on top of the forum. i like 2 c what happens, hopefully a closure to this issue.
+ 1 for each of those who kept abreast with their comments here . exemplary. cheers 8)
-
Fiverr is still at it. For a while it looked like they were putting a stop to gigs that specifically mentioned a stock image company, but obviously that's not the case anymore and they're back to business as usual: https://www.fiverr.com/prompeat/give-you-any-15-stock-photosvectors-illustrationsiconseditorials (https://www.fiverr.com/prompeat/give-you-any-15-stock-photosvectors-illustrationsiconseditorials)
And here's a new spin on the Fiverr stock image gig...
"I will convert shutterstock image to Vector for $5"
https://www.fiverr.com/telovectorizo/convert-shutterstock-image-to-vector (https://www.fiverr.com/telovectorizo/convert-shutterstock-image-to-vector)
Fiverr really doesn't give a s--- about artists' rights, copyright infringement, licensing, etc. Almost worse is that they don't care about their customers, selling them this stuff without a proper license.
The logo gigs are a mess, too. Lots of stock stuff shows up in those, or the gig shows work that the "designer" didn't actually do. It's a total scam. How this thing hasn't been shut down yet is amazing.
-
The TS gig I posted to iS about with the reply received as above is also still live.
Anyone contact SS about it?
-
I contacted Shutterstock March 24 2014 and got the standard "We take copyright infringement ... very seriously..." reply
I think Fiverr is just a very disreputable place, but the agencies don't seem to be all that aggressive in going after this stuff.
-
I contacted Shutterstock March 24 2014 and got the standard "We take copyright infringement ... very seriously..." reply
I think Fiverr is just a very disreputable place, but the agencies don't seem to be all that aggressive in going after this stuff.
An unforeseen consequence of the micro model. :(
-
I just saw a Fiverr tv commercial. It must be karma for bringing up the Fiverr topic again today.
-
FYI, Fiverr has some competition now. Introducing... Fourerr.
Seriously, I can't make this stuff up. Fourerr is just like Fiverr, except for the obvious price difference. But they also still sell the same services, including selling copied/ripped-off logo designs as "custom" and illegally reselling stock photos and graphics.
-
I thought this had to be a joke (I know you said you couldn't make this stuff up, but...)
It's real, and it's not new, although it's apparently (alexa ranking) very much an also-ran in the micro jobs sweepstakes.
The owner (Thomas De Vos) has a blog post on the site from April 2012, so it's been around at least that long.
fiverr has a global alexa rank of 134 versus 37,072 for fourerr.
I reported this offer to Shutterstock - perhaps they can get it shut down
http://fourerr.com/Graphics/22104/give-you-4-Shutterstock-images-of-your-choice (http://fourerr.com/Graphics/22104/give-you-4-Shutterstock-images-of-your-choice)
-
Just wanted to update this topic again. I'm not sure it can really go anywhere productive at this point, but I think it's worth keeping on everyone's radar nonetheless.
Fiverr seems to have now taken the stance that they prefer to cover up known infringements than to deal with them. I've been noticing this mostly on the design side of things, logos in particular. Fiverr regularly advertises their logo design services on Facebook, often using images of work that was done through Fiverr gigs but shows stock logo templates, stock graphics, copied designs, etc. And of course people point this out in the comments on Facebook, but Fiverr just deletes the comments.
I've actually linked to the original stock graphic showing exactly where a Fiverr "designer" got the image they used in the logo and instead of deleting the ad or the ad image, they just delete my comment.
So they know full well what they're doing, that they're ripping off not only artists and photographers but also their own customers by selling this stuff as "custom" design, and their course of action when faced with it is to try and sweep it under the rug.
Again, I'm not sure what (if anything) can be done to stop Fiverr at this point. They're making lots of money by being dickbags, and I don't get the feeling that they're even slightly interested in stopping what they're doing.
And as it relates to stock photos, of course Fiverr is still very much in the business of reselling stock photos in gigs that blatantly acknowledge that the images are sourced from stock agencies. There is even a gig up now that shows part of a search results page. Not sure from which site but it's clearly a stock site. And the gig shows images from various Shutterstock contributors.
So, long story short, Fiverr still sucks, they seem to just be getting worse, and despite widespread social media criticism they make no efforts to change their reputation and are still making money hand over fist at the expense of artists everywhere.
-
Why not update their wiki page with some of the details? maybe add a section called "controversy" and detail their practice of deleting posts pointing out infringing content
-
Just wanted to update this topic again. I'm not sure it can really go anywhere productive at this point, but I think it's worth keeping on everyone's radar nonetheless.
Fiverr seems to have now taken the stance that they prefer to cover up known infringements than to deal with them. I've been noticing this mostly on the design side of things, logos in particular. Fiverr regularly advertises their logo design services on Facebook, often using images of work that was done through Fiverr gigs but shows stock logo templates, stock graphics, copied designs, etc. And of course people point this out in the comments on Facebook, but Fiverr just deletes the comments.
I've actually linked to the original stock graphic showing exactly where a Fiverr "designer" got the image they used in the logo and instead of deleting the ad or the ad image, they just delete my comment.
So they know full well what they're doing, that they're ripping off not only artists and photographers but also their own customers by selling this stuff as "custom" design, and their course of action when faced with it is to try and sweep it under the rug.
Again, I'm not sure what (if anything) can be done to stop Fiverr at this point. They're making lots of money by being dickbags, and I don't get the feeling that they're even slightly interested in stopping what they're doing.
And as it relates to stock photos, of course Fiverr is still very much in the business of reselling stock photos in gigs that blatantly acknowledge that the images are sourced from stock agencies. There is even a gig up now that shows part of a search results page. Not sure from which site but it's clearly a stock site. And the gig shows images from various Shutterstock contributors.
So, long story short, Fiverr still sucks, they seem to just be getting worse, and despite widespread social media criticism they make no efforts to change their reputation and are still making money hand over fist at the expense of artists everywhere.
They need to be DDoS-ed.
-
This is rich... I guess Fiverr doesn't have enough decent designs done by their "designers" that they now just use stock designs to sell their terrible services. Including one of mine.
(http://www.emberstudio.com/random/fiverr-stock.jpg)
I can't find a gig actually showing this t-shirt design, so I have to assume it's very likely that they actually bought the graphic to use as stock. Especially since it wasn't modified. Usually if someone uses a stock graphic in a Fiverr gig they modify the text to suit the customer's needs.
Unfortunately, if they bought the graphic as stock, they have every right to use it even though I really wish they wouldn't. Wherever they got it, this is one sale I kind of wish I could give back. :)
And in case anyone is wondering, yes they still allow the resale of stock images: https://www.fiverr.com/portaldigital/edit-create-give-stock-vectors-and-or-images (https://www.fiverr.com/portaldigital/edit-create-give-stock-vectors-and-or-images)
I guess because the seller says "send me the ID NUMBER of shutter and I will send you the EPS, JPEG, PDF, AI" instead of saying the full name "shutterstock", they let it go.
-
There will always be dirtbags in commerce, but generally one might expect one of two sources of cleanup:
1) the agencies who take such a large chunk of the sale of our work (or a multi-agency organization that works on behalf of the group)
or
2) Government regulation - an agency with a budget to actually do enforcement
Neither of those has a prayer of happening. The agencies pay lip service to enforcement, but they expend the least effort possible - it's just one more cost to them.
Perhaps there's some way to shame the very public CEO of the outfit (he's the one listed in the domain registration and a Google search revealed he writes for Forbes about the Gig economy and entrepreneurship)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michakaufman/2015/01/02/is-that-an-office-in-your-pocket-or-are-you-just-appy-to-see-me/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/michakaufman/2015/01/02/is-that-an-office-in-your-pocket-or-are-you-just-appy-to-see-me/)
I'm not sure I'd want to go swim in those shark infested waters (public shaming via social media) - see this article about how this can get really, really nasty:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html)
It seems pretty rich for someone to be writing about the wonders of what his Gig economy has created when the nasty underbelly is that there is a mass of exploitation and theft that they do next-to-nothing to control. Why would they? They're making their $1 a Gig either way...
We don't get to pick the buyers of our licenses with RF - you'd have to go to RM to do that, and I don't think the money's there any more for routine transactions for your illustration.
-
...
Unfortunately, if they bought the graphic as stock, they have every right to use it even though I really wish they wouldn't. Wherever they got it, this is one sale I kind of wish I could give back. :)
Are there some agencies which allow file use on 'items for resale' without an Extended Licence (or equivalent)?
-
There is no excuse for those just giving the stock images away for a price.
However those performing graphic design on Fiverr and utilizing paid stock image in their work for a client are not necessarily doing anything wrong. In fact there is no difference than doing freelance work for a client project and using stock.
-
There is no excuse for those just giving the stock images away for a price.
However those performing graphic design on Fiverr and utilizing paid stock image in their work for a client are not necessarily doing anything wrong. In fact there is no difference than doing freelance work for a client project and using stock.
They are in the wrong if they use the same stock design.template on multiple jobs, as many of them do. They'll buy some stock logo templates, for example, and then just crank out tons of the same logo just with different text.
-
There is no excuse for those just giving the stock images away for a price.
However those performing graphic design on Fiverr and utilizing paid stock image in their work for a client are not necessarily doing anything wrong. In fact there is no difference than doing freelance work for a client project and using stock.
They are in the wrong if they use the same stock design.template on multiple jobs, as many of them do. They'll buy some stock logo templates, for example, and then just crank out tons of the same logo just with different text.
I agree, but that isn't the norm. That is folks cheating the system and I agree Fiverr does nothing to stop it, which is certainly upsetting. I have to say there are some hacks taking advantage, but there are others offering some real services.
As a side note: The whole $5 thing is a gimic as most services start at something very basic for $5, but the rates quickly go up.
-
There is no excuse for those just giving the stock images away for a price.
However those performing graphic design on Fiverr and utilizing paid stock image in their work for a client are not necessarily doing anything wrong. In fact there is no difference than doing freelance work for a client project and using stock.
They are in the wrong if they use the same stock design.template on multiple jobs, as many of them do. They'll buy some stock logo templates, for example, and then just crank out tons of the same logo just with different text.
Mike, as your images have been used, have you taken any illegal use up with the agencies? I know that iStock is reluctant to do anything unless the actual artist contacts them, rather than anyone who happens to find a mis-used image, and from what was written above, SS seems to be about as bad.
-
Mike, as your images have been used, have you taken any illegal use up with the agencies? I know that iStock is reluctant to do anything unless the actual artist contacts them, rather than anyone who happens to find a mis-used image, and from what was written above, SS seems to be about as bad.
The only use I know for certain is the graphic they use in the T-Shirt category header image, which as far as I know might be a completely legal use. Nothing I can do about it.
Fiverr does take the stance that the copyright holder needs to be the person reporting the infringement. So even though anyone can click on a gig and see that someone is reselling Shutterstock images, unless one of your images appears in the gig preview there's nothing that anyone else can do about it.
Which surely is intentional, taking advantage of the legal loophole in the DMCA that allows them to keep illegal gigs online despite them being reported, if they're not reported by the actual copyright holder or a legal representative of the copyright holder.
As insane as it sounds, I think it would take a revision to DMCA laws to force Fiverr to do anything about this. Until they can be held responsible for leaving infringing content and gigs online after a 3rd party report of infringement, they really have the law on their side. They know about the gig I mentioned in an earlier post, but it's still up right now, because legally they have no obligation to respond to a report from me when my content isn't explicitly used in the gig.
Worse yet, my content could be resold in the gig, but I'd never know it. Because the gig offers buyers the choice of whatever images they want from Shutterstock, and no specific images are mentioned as being offered, Fiverr allows it to go on.
I did contact the owner of the image shown in the gig, as they might be the only person who can do anything about it. But who knows if they will actually report it.
-
Cant believe that this crap is still open...
https://www.fiverr.com/search/gigs?utf8=%E2%9C%93&source=top-bar&locale=en&search_in=category&query=royalty+free (https://www.fiverr.com/search/gigs?utf8=%E2%9C%93&source=top-bar&locale=en&search_in=category&query=royalty+free)
What tha F...?
-
Cant believe that this crap is still open...
[url]https://www.fiverr.com/search/gigs?utf8=%E2%9C%93&source=top-bar&locale=en&search_in=category&query=royalty+free[/url] ([url]https://www.fiverr.com/search/gigs?utf8=%E2%9C%93&source=top-bar&locale=en&search_in=category&query=royalty+free[/url])
What tha F...?
I can't believe it too, it's been years. I find it difficult to believe that ss couldn't put a stop to this if they contacted fiver.
I recently wrote about fiver and other sites which allow illegal downloads of our images.
Are Sites which Steal or Resell Microstock Images Helping to Diminish your Earnings? (http://www.microstockposts.com/sites-which-steal-microstock-images-helping-diminish-earnings/)