Author Topic: our images sold on greeting card universe by other artists? (Read 6815 times)

dk · « **on:** March 28, 2014, 15:17 »

Hi, found one of my images on greetingcarduniverse.com.

It is a card with my photo plus added text under it. When i click on the image to buy the credit is as follows: Artist: Someone Else (who i don't want to name) and under his name there is the text: Original image by (my username on bigstock) / Bigstock.com

I checked some other cards and i see the same thing on many of the other cards, what's going on is this some partner site and they have people adding text to our photos to make cards?

Searched this forum and i see that some people are using them to sell cards, maybe they know what the deal is?

tickstock · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2014, 15:24 »

dk · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2014, 15:57 »

Thanks for the reply. I see this is discussed in more detail on the cafepress thread.

Wondering how unethical it would be if i sign up on that site and upload the same exact card using the other "artist's" additional text!

DF_Studios · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2014, 16:06 »

They seemed to have had an image quality problem in the past. They decided the solution was to lower the commission to the artists they had, boot off some of the ones they decided were not good enough and then turn to a microstock provider (Bigstock) for images. Now they just have the contributors add text for peanuts.

"In partnership with Bigstock.com, GCU is excited to roll out a soft launch of a new feature - Stock Card Creations. This targets card creators who are good with words and verse and/or have clever ideas but do not have access to high quality art / images.

The intent is not to replace the creative artists in our community today but to open the same opportunity to new contributors, different types of contributors."

lbarn · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2014, 18:34 »

Quote from: DF_Studios on March 28, 2014, 16:06

They seemed to have had an image quality problem in the past.

Good luck getting images approved there after their new era. My last review took almost 11 months and the majority of the rejection reasons were related to a font I used, one that was inserted on their own site, not one added from photoshop. They started requiring 2 links to prove the images were actually yours.

Not sure its worth the effort there, it may have been worth it several years ago.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2014, 21:58 »

So it's not an EL then is it? If someone is on BS and gets a use, we get a sub?

I mean someone can't sell a card and pay a tiny commission and also pay for an EL can they? (Tickstock)

Quote from: tickstock on March 28, 2014, 15:24

"Incorporating Image(s) in any “print on demand” products, requires a Bigstock Extended License or participation in Bigstock’s API program."
http://www.bigstockphoto.com/usage.html

"What is the Bigstock Partner program?
The partner program at Bigstock expands the reach & revenue opportunities of artists' portfolios, enabling you to sell more of your images at a 30% commission rate.

Our partners include print on demand companies, email service providers, web design services, online ad builders & others who want to offer your photographs, vectors and illustrations for sale within their products & services. We understand the importance of knowing how your images are sold and we've designed this program with visibility in mind. "

Unfortunately it doesn't say 30% of what.

Quote from: DF_Studios on March 28, 2014, 16:06

"In partnership with Bigstock.com, GCU is excited to roll out a soft launch of a new feature - Stock Card Creations. This targets card creators who are good with words and verse and/or have clever ideas but do not have access to high quality art / images.

The intent is not to replace the creative artists in our community today but to open the same opportunity to new contributors, different types of contributors."

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2014, 22:21 »

. It's a Partner Deal . (clicked reply by accident)

http://help.bigstockphoto.com/hc/en-us/articles/200474725-What-is-the-Bigstock-Partner-program-

stockastic · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2014, 09:57 »

We need to be inclusive and not deny access to art sales sites to people simply because they have no talent or ability. Everyone should have "access high quality art/images".

What microstock sites currently do NOT allow this insanity? I believe SS license terms don't allow a buyer to resell on POD. What about DT and Alamy?

ShadySue · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2014, 10:04 »

^^ As far as I can see, it's not allowed with a general RF licence from Alamy. It is an RM purchasing option.

Although you didn't ask specifically, greetings card use is allowed from iS with an EL, and with an Extended Licence Image Pack from TS.

tickstock · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2014, 10:13 »

tickstock · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2014, 10:14 »

ShadySue · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2014, 07:45 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2014, 10:13

Quote from: ShadySue on March 29, 2014, 10:04
^^ As far as I can see, it's not allowed with a general RF licence from Alamy. It is an RM purchasing option.

Although you didn't ask specifically, greetings card use is allowed from iS with an EL, and with an Extended Licence Image Pack from TS.
iStock doesn't allow print on demand.

Oh, right; I forgot that POD greetings cards were different from just 'greetings cards' bought in shops.

OTOH, I found one of my images on a site selling framed prints. As I hadn't had any relevant ELs for the file in question I queried it and was told it was legitimate, and they'd pay for it if they sold it - what's that if not POD? Probably a 'partner' with a secret 'special arrangement'.

cuppacoffee · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2014, 09:46 »

Quote from: ShadySue on March 30, 2014, 07:45

OTOH, I found one of my images on a site selling framed prints. As I hadn't had any relevant ELs for the file in question I queried it and was told it was legitimate, and they'd pay for it if they sold it - what's that if not POD? Probably a 'partner' with a secret 'special arrangement'.

Happens on other sites too, they can "offer" any image but only pay for the license IF it is sold. I have a couple of DT images that sell on one of those sites and I can tell when they sell the first time because I get a P-EL (print license) payment. Some art/print/frame sites do this legitimately. I imagine that some do not. At least on DT, you can opt out of this if you choose. My images are not so precious so I opt in.

Print Usage (P-EL) - Physical Items for Resale: includes the right to use the photos for t-shirts, postcards, greeting cards, mugs, mouse pads, posters, calendars, framed artwork that is to be sold to other customers for a maximum amount of 10,000 copies (applies as a total of each type of usage). If this amount is exceeded you need to acquire this license once again. The new license will provide you with the standard amount of copies.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2014, 10:10 »

I believe that FT has a similar deal. People can use your work (well not yours or mine Sue) From DT and FT for free, advertising all they want, and until they get a sale, they pay nothing.

But at least we have the greeting card answer for BS which is also kind of shaky dealing? But it's in the contract that this is allowed. Which is what the OP was asking about.

Quote from: ShadySue on March 30, 2014, 07:45

...they'd pay for it if they sold it...

Quote from: cuppacoffee on March 30, 2014, 09:46

Happens on other sites too, they can "offer" any image but only pay for the license IF it is sold. I have a couple of DT images that sell on one of those sites and I can tell when they sell the first time because I get a P-EL (print license) payment.

Partner sites and holes in contracts like this are only for the agencies to profit, while using our work for FREE!

tickstock · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2014, 11:10 »

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Author Topic: our images sold on greeting card universe by other artists? (Read 6815 times)

dk

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dk

DF_Studios

lbarn

Uncle Pete

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stockastic

ShadySue

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Uncle Pete

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