MicrostockGroup

Well for instance they could think (by using common sense) that someone else in this world must have created this image since it's highly unlikely that images just create themselves or that the internet creates them.

I don't believe that the same people are aware of the term "public domain" either so it's not a case where they have been actually thinking about their actions.

Furthermore, as I mentioned before in other threads the "thieves" (whether they know about their wrongdoings or not) will always claim "I didn't know". If we keep giving everybody the benefit of the doubt we (photographers/illustrators etc.) will eventually not license one image in the future since everybody just steals them and then claims "I didn't know". That can't be a solution either.

And I have yet to find a thief who stole my images who actually offered to pay for a license to use the image.

They all knew what they were doing.

This week alone I found four (4) Zazzle members using my images. Shall I really just let them be and start educating them about what they did wrong or try to get some licensing fees that they should have paid in the first place...?

You can change your settings in Flickr

(In Flickr Preferences Privacy & Permissions:
Who can download your stuff    Only you

"When people are looking at the main display page for one of your photos or a video (e.g.), they will see a button labeled "all sizes" underneath the title. From there, they can download any of the different sizes available, including the original file, unless you choose to prevent it.

Preventing people from downloading something also means that a transparent image will be positioned over the image on the main photo page, which is intended to discourage* people from right-clicking to save, or dragging the image on to their desktop."

Cafe 07 has an iStock watermark right on it and the same image is on Dreamstime. Can't be more obvious.

I noticed that, but it was fun thinking it made a difference? 

I went to Flickr and uploaded my first photo there. Then I looked in the forum for "stolen image" and read the threads until I got bored. Pretty funny how many people complain and point out the images and find that Flickr does nearly nothing. But you can file a complaint form, which asks for all kinds of information and details, and basically makes it a PITA for the person who has been wronged to do anything.

Then I went to the picture section and searched for "stolen image" and wow, what an eyeful.

The final conclusion holds up. If you don't want your pictures stolen, don't put them on Flickr. Or in my case, don't put up anything but CrapStock and humor, that no one would want to steal and claim as their own, for a fraudulent ego boost. Sad but that's about the size of it.

lol. i can find plenty of pirated shutterstock image around.

Madelaide,

I don't think that you defend violators either but we must insist and fight for our right!

Just because an image is sold on the Micros doesn't mean that the damage that has been done is also "small". Neither does it mean that it's "not worth" pursuing the violation.

When I claimed the royalties for a stolen image from Zazzle I did get paid from them so yes it was worth the effort. Maybe it's not working every time like this but I want to encourage everybody not to look away and enforce their royalties and their copyright.

I'm not a lawyer but I recommend to contact one in England and ask for a quick response on your issue with the BBC. Thank god we have email these days which make it quite easy to contact anyone. It's free and it doesn't hurt - worst thing they can say is "No".

Usually lawyers quickly listen up when big companies are involved in a copyright situation. I'm sure there will be some lawyer willing to look into your case.
I've had lawyers in the US take my cases on a contingency basis for less than what your problem is.

Furthermore it is highly recommended to register your copyright. That can make it a lot easier to find a lawyer who would take it on contingency.

Good job! Well done!