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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: john_woodcock on August 26, 2011, 04:19

Title: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: john_woodcock on August 26, 2011, 04:19
I've found a Shutterstock artist selling what I consider to be a copy of one of my best selling images and, although I've told IS ( useless), and just contacted support at Shutterstock ( still waiting a response) I'd also like to contact the artist directly. Is there a way to do this, like the iStock sitemail?
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: fotografer on August 26, 2011, 04:29
I don't think it's possible to contact anybody unless they talk in the forums and then you get a link to sitemail them.  At least it used to be like that.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: Microbius on August 26, 2011, 04:53
Try looking them up on another site maybe. If the username doesn't bring them up a Google image search may do.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: john_woodcock on August 26, 2011, 05:20
I've found him on other sites too, and complained to them all.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: Microbius on August 26, 2011, 09:24
I meant that maybe one of the other sites allows sitemail?
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: Microbius on August 26, 2011, 09:33
I did a google search on some your best selllers and gosh there are a lot for people that don't know what RF licenses allow eg. second item here using your tree in a logo: http://www.allusiveartdesign.com/portfolio/ (http://www.allusiveartdesign.com/portfolio/)
and even described in their blog with no mention of it being from a stock image
http://www.allusiveartdesign.com/blog/ (http://www.allusiveartdesign.com/blog/)
and here another logo
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132547017028 (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132547017028)
and
http://www.greenerideal.com/ (http://www.greenerideal.com/)
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on August 26, 2011, 09:35
If you are a member of the site you can use the forum private message feature to contact any other member. It is optional (in one's profile) to be notified via e-mail of a new private message, so if that's turned off and your user doesn't visit the forums, it might not be useful.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: john_woodcock on August 26, 2011, 11:52
To be honest I tend not usually look at where my images have been stolen/copied/illegally used, it's too depressing. It's a bit like owning a store, you accept 10% of your stock is lost to shoplifters, it just goes with the territory. The particular image on Shutterstock is, I consider, a blatant copy of my image. I complained to istock, who told me there was nothing they could and I left it at that at the time. I'm feeling more annoyed now so I am pursuing it on 3 sites where I found the image. I'll see if I can do better than istock.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: YadaYadaYada on August 26, 2011, 20:34
I've found a Shutterstock artist selling what I consider to be a copy of one of my best selling images and, although I've told IS ( useless), and just contacted support at Shutterstock ( still waiting a response) I'd also like to contact the artist directly. Is there a way to do this, like the iStock sitemail?

It's now a concept copy not direct copy from what you write. That makes it harder to protect. I'm with you but legally it gets harder to protect yourself. It's a vector not photo right? Not business handshake, girl writing chart on glass, or some thing thats done 100 times by every one.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: john_woodcock on August 27, 2011, 00:38
Actually it's a direct copy, but amended slightly. It's a drawing of a bent tree, actually a tree which is in my garden. The copyist has changed a few branches but the shape is unmistakeably mine. I have complained to the sites in question, not only including the 2 drawings in question, but also a photo of the tree.
Title: Re: Contacting an artist on Shutterstock
Post by: RacePhoto on August 29, 2011, 22:51
Actually it's a direct copy, but amended slightly. It's a drawing of a bent tree, actually a tree which is in my garden. The copyist has changed a few branches but the shape is unmistakeably mine. I have complained to the sites in question, not only including the 2 drawings in question, but also a photo of the tree.

Some thieves are amazingly, uncreative.

I hope you get rid of one more through your efforts.