MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: Marburg on January 13, 2014, 15:28
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I had an odd conversation with someone I know recently. He saw some of my images at a stock photo site. He noticed they were watermarked. He commented that the watermarks were too large but some photos had smaller ones and that he could download those without paying for them.
I informed him that he did not have the right to download any images on any site without paying for them. I told him that by doing so he would be in violation of national and international copyright laws.
He said he's thinking about doing that to some of my images (and some other photographers) and thought it was flattery and not theft.
How would you folks handle this?
Marburg
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Steal something of his and call it flattery: he has such good taste.
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I informed him that he did not have the right to download any images on any site without paying for them. I told him that by doing so he would be in violation of national and international copyright laws.
What you meant was that it illegal to _use_ copyrighted content without a proper license. Since, by the mere viewing of the content on the site, you've downloaded it locally.
What does he think is "flattery" exactly?
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I think I'd point him to some of the write ups of Getty's lawyers going after people for unauthorized use and make it really clear that doing this is putting him (and his employer if he's doing this for work) at risk of getting a very large bill or being sued.
Also tell him that you will send him a bill for the license fees only if he uses it - because you're his friend - but no one else will be that generous if he gets caught.
I have had situations where people I know who license work (not photos) were using photos they found via Google (without buying licenses) that I recognized as stock - you'd have thought people in that situation would have been more aware... In that case though, they changed the images once I pointed out the issue.
Use Getty as the big scary example even if that's not where they were planning to steal from this particular time - they're the clearest example to drive the point home, IMO
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You are right. I meant illegal to use copyrighted content without proper license and/or authorization.
What you meant was that it illegal to _use_ copyrighted content without a proper license. Since, by the mere viewing of the content on the site, you've downloaded it locally.
What does he think is "flattery" exactly?
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Good idea! The sad thing is I no longer trust this person. :( If he had simply asked for a copy I probably would have printed one, signed and framed it for him.
I think I'd point him to some of the write ups of Getty's lawyers going after people for unauthorized use and make it really clear that doing this is putting him (and his employer if he's doing this for work) at risk of getting a very large bill or being sued.
Also tell him that you will send him a bill for the license fees only if he uses it - because you're his friend - but no one else will be that generous if he gets caught.
I have had situations where people I know who license work (not photos) were using photos they found via Google (without buying licenses) that I recognized as stock - you'd have thought people in that situation would have been more aware... In that case though, they changed the images once I pointed out the issue.
Use Getty as the big scary example even if that's not where they were planning to steal from this particular time - they're the clearest example to drive the point home, IMO
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Why would he even suggest of your images illegally to your face?
Something is just not right with such a person.
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Why would he even suggest of your images illegally to your face?
Something is just not right with such a person.
I completely agree. Of course, he feels everything should be free. He scares me.
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I'd "borrow" his car and leave it wrapped around a tree and then explain to him he should feel flattered that I wanted to drive it.
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Your friend is an idiot ::)
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does your friend work for iStock? ;)
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He's not a friend. He's just someone taking the same class I am. As far as I know he doesn't work anywhere.
It is scary how he thinks everything should be free for him.
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give him a free kick to the grapenuts ;D
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He's not a friend. He's just someone taking the same class I am. As far as I know he doesn't work anywhere.
It is scary how he thinks everything should be free for him.
That's not at all unusual, in fact, I think it's pretty general in those under 30. If he doesn't work, what was he intending to do with the image?
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He's not a friend. He's just someone taking the same class I am. As far as I know he doesn't work anywhere.
It is scary how he thinks everything should be free for him.
That's not at all unusual, in fact, I think it's pretty general in those under 30. If he doesn't work, what was he intending to do with the image?
He is a senior citizen and from I understand he plans to include them in a book he is working on that if published will be for sale lol.
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He's not a friend. He's just someone taking the same class I am. As far as I know he doesn't work anywhere.
It is scary how he thinks everything should be free for him.
That's not at all unusual, in fact, I think it's pretty general in those under 30. If he doesn't work, what was he intending to do with the image?
He is a senior citizen and from I understand he plans to include them in a book he is working on that if published will be for sale lol.
::)
Back to the steal something from him scenario, then.
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"As far as I know he doesn't work anywhere."
Of course he doesn't work since he gets all his images for free to sell... :(
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Ask to see his wallet, take all the money out, hand the wallet back to him and ask him if he feels flattered.
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I saw one of these characters down in Florida at a Flea Market. He sits around all day surrounded by a stack of self published books trying to get someone to buy one. (maybe sleeps there too).
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Thats brilliant, let him steal the images, let him put them in his book, and then send a DMCA to the publisher once the book is published, and sue him. Thats going to cost him dearly.
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I think I'd point him to some of the write ups of Getty's lawyers going after people for unauthorized use and make it really clear that doing this is putting him (and his employer if he's doing this for work) at risk of getting a very large bill or being sued.
This suggestion appears to have done the trick. He said, "you are serious about this stuff. Ok, I won't do it."
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Thats brilliant, let him steal the images, let him put them in his book, and then send a DMCA to the publisher once the book is published, and sue him. Thats going to cost him dearly.
If in the US.
(Marburg may be in the US, I don't know).
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Thats brilliant, let him steal the images, let him put them in his book, and then send a DMCA to the publisher once the book is published, and sue him. Thats going to cost him dearly.
If in the US.
(Marburg may be in the US, I don't know).
Yes I am in the Us
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I have been in the computer sales/service business since 1986. I can't tell you how many times I have people come in who want me to load Windows 7/8 or the latest version of OS/X. I ask them idf they have the DVD's or at least the license to show they purchased it. And many times when they buy a new computer they want to know what extra software I am going to load on the computer (ie Photoshop, MS office). When I explain to hem that is theft and copyright violations, I get this blank stare or they come up with that these companies are worth Billions and what would it hurt.
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I have been in the computer sales/service business since 1986. I can't tell you how many times I have people come in who want me to load Windows 7/8 or the latest version of OS/X. I ask them idf they have the DVD's or at least the license to show they purchased it. And many times when they buy a new computer they want to know what extra software I am going to load on the computer (ie Photoshop, MS office). When I explain to hem that is theft and copyright violations, I get this blank stare or they come up with that these companies are worth Billions and what would it hurt.
I hear you. I had the same problem when I worked in computer building and servicing. They wanted everything free.
The good news here is I found out the site he was talking about can block him from downloading before purchasing a photo.