Author Topic: Photaki - the next crook? (Read 31275 times)

Shelma1 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 02, 2016, 10:45 »

You take the images down, move the elements around and put them right back up again.

cathyslife · « **Reply #26 on:** February 02, 2016, 10:47 »

Quote from: Freepik on February 02, 2016, 09:38

Hello again everyone,

Justanotherphotographer, we do not do this anymore. However, there are resources that are still indexed, like the examples that you have indicated and we have already erased.

We take seriously every copyright infringement and we invest a lot of money in creating our own content. Therefore, whenever we detect plagiarism, we take measures immediatly removing the content and correcting our working methods, but it is inevitable that some case go unnoticed.

Shelma, I can ensure you that we never ask for replicas from Shutterstock and whenever we have detected a plagiarism of any sort, we have immediately terminated the contract with the designer as we do not tolerate these actions. We work with many authors and one of our core values is to respect the work of designers. Those working exclusively for us know how we are react in terms of copies.

As for the contributors, there are more and more people interested in our system. Having your illustrations in Freepik doesnt mean that the sales of your images in other banks decrease but, in fact, it is a way to monetize files for which a designer was no longer generating any income in other platforms. Designers like you have tried it and they are very satisfied.

Really, we'd love to have your collaboration. We would like you to give us a chance, get to know us, as now you know how much we strive to make your work be respected by others.

So are you saying that contributors are placing their illustrations on Freepik and giving them away for free, with the hopes that they will ride on your search placement coattails, etc. and then make sales from sites like Shutterstock? Because you should know that most of the people who are on this forum, and really, most people who are in business to make money, will NEVER give their images away for free. I can't speak for everybody, but my whole point of putting images on microstock agencies is to sell. I never give away images for free. It's bad enough having to watch thieves steal, and see people post high resolution image sizes of my images on their website, making them available for all for free.

Freepik · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2016, 12:35 »

Quote from: cathyslife on February 02, 2016, 10:47

Quote from: Freepik on February 02, 2016, 09:38
Hello again everyone,

Justanotherphotographer, we do not do this anymore. However, there are resources that are still indexed, like the examples that you have indicated and we have already erased.

We take seriously every copyright infringement and we invest a lot of money in creating our own content. Therefore, whenever we detect plagiarism, we take measures immediatly removing the content and correcting our working methods, but it is inevitable that some case go unnoticed.

Shelma, I can ensure you that we never ask for replicas from Shutterstock and whenever we have detected a plagiarism of any sort, we have immediately terminated the contract with the designer as we do not tolerate these actions. We work with many authors and one of our core values is to respect the work of designers. Those working exclusively for us know how we are react in terms of copies.

As for the contributors, there are more and more people interested in our system. Having your illustrations in Freepik doesnt mean that the sales of your images in other banks decrease but, in fact, it is a way to monetize files for which a designer was no longer generating any income in other platforms. Designers like you have tried it and they are very satisfied.

Really, we'd love to have your collaboration. We would like you to give us a chance, get to know us, as now you know how much we strive to make your work be respected by others.

So are you saying that contributors are placing their illustrations on Freepik and giving them away for free, with the hopes that they will ride on your search placement coattails, etc. and then make sales from sites like Shutterstock? Because you should know that most of the people who are on this forum, and really, most people who are in business to make money, will NEVER give their images away for free. I can't speak for everybody, but my whole point of putting images on microstock agencies is to sell. I never give away images for free. It's bad enough having to watch thieves steal, and see people post high resolution image sizes of my images on their website, making them available for all for free.

We pay to designers $5 per 1000 downloads.

Here you have a success story: http://www.freepik.com/blog/kirsty-pargeter-how-to-earn-money-with-your-designs/

ShadySue · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2016, 14:38 »

Quote from: Freepik on February 02, 2016, 12:35

We pay to designers $5 per 1000 downloads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLNrLI3OBwg
Where's the minus button when you need it?

cathyslife · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2016, 16:55 »

Kirsty Pargeter is one of the most successful illustrators around. For her to make $207 since Dec. 9 on one image, that means that 41,000+ people have downloaded that one image (if she gets the $5 per 1000 downloads deal). (I hope I did the math right...not my strong suit).

That sounds like a whole lot of downloads, but if anyone can do it, it would be her. Since she is your spokesperson, perhaps she gets a sweeter deal?

I can't imagine that most illustrators that go on your site will make that much money. There are a lot of talented illustrators that come here, maybe they can provide more insight, but getting 41,000+ downloads in one month for one image sounds pretty incredible. Please, illustrators, correct me if I am way off base.

My point is...$5 for every 1000 downloads is almost like putting your images there for free.

Shelma1 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 02, 2016, 17:10 »

Hmmm. Somewhat successful, I'd say. Many of the illustrators here are far more successful. $207 is a couple of good SODs on Shutterstock. Totally doable with a popular holiday image—and you don't have to give the milk away on Freepik.

I just imagine if buyers knew they could get all her images for free, it would kill her income very quickly.

Freepik · « **Reply #31 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:56 »

We pay to all contributors $5 for every 1000 downloads. We know that this is a new business model, but It's just another way to earn money with your illustrations and you can try it when you want

(Please mail us to marketing(at)freepik.com)

And the most important. We want that you know that we take seriously every copyright infringement. Therefore, whenever we detect plagiarism, we take measures immediatly removing the content and correcting our working methods, but it is inevitable that some case go unnoticed. This happens in all banks and, in fact, we sometimes are also victims of plagiarism.

Shelma, if you need we can talk by Hangout or Skype but, if not, we will leave this matter to our lawyers, because publishing false accusations is an illegal act.

Thanks so much and we keep in touch for everything you need

sharpshot · « **Reply #32 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:44 »

So how does this new business model work?

skyfish · « **Reply #33 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:56 »

For them "business", for designers s**t

Shelma1 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:55 »

Quote from: Freepik on February 05, 2016, 09:56

lawyers

Quote from: Freepik on February 05, 2016, 09:56

Blah blah blah lawyers

You continue to leave copies of my illustrations on your site(s). I've pointed them out to you and you take them down, move elements around and put them back up. Here you've changed the curve of the handles slightly and replaced the ribbon:

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759528.htm#term=black%20friday%20shopping%20bag&page=1&position=6

Then you've come up with more iterations, with gifts in the bag, evergreens behind the bag, blue tags on the bag...a thumb of the nose, I suppose. Why don't you just take this particular stupid bag down and be done with it?

I do see you seem to have deleted some of the most obvious copies of Shutterstock work, though. I'm glad for that, especially with Easter coming up. Though you still have a very close copy of a very popular Easter Bunny (not mine) appearing here and there.

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-178928885/stock-vector-have-yourself-a-very-happy-easter-easter-bunny-ears-vector.html?src=8FAtiGi2Vzqv2ZELqMuYyA-1-1

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/lovely-easter-bunny_766342.htm#term=easter&page=1&position=17

Is Lena Pan working with you?

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-152546006/stock-vector-halloween-party-design-template-with-pumpkin-and-place-for-text.html?src=tFb7fol9TZ9gehCt8Iy6Bg-1-7

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/halloween-vector-party-template_610074.htm#term=halloween%20party&page=11&position=7

Freepik · « **Reply #35 on:** February 05, 2016, 12:22 »

sharpshot, skyfish:

It's "new" because you earn money for the downloads. We offer high quality resources to our users and they can use them for free (with attribution) or they can subscribe and use them without credits.

The users can download your resources free, but you will earn a lot of money. And this is the novelty.

http://www.freepik.com/blog/kirsty-pargeter-how-to-earn-money-with-your-designs/

It isn't a s**t, I can assure you. We're telling you how Freepik works, and we do it with respect. One person has accused us of uncertain things and we wanted explain it personally in this forum and inform you about our new system of contributors.

if you do not want to try it, you do not have to do it

But we think that it's a fantastique way to monetize your illustrations.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #36 on:** February 05, 2016, 12:40 »

Quote from: Shelma1 on February 05, 2016, 11:55

...Is Lena Pan working with you?

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-152546006/stock-vector-halloween-party-design-template-with-pumpkin-and-place-for-text.html?src=tFb7fol9TZ9gehCt8Iy6Bg-1-7

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/halloween-vector-party-template_610074.htm#term=halloween%20party&page=11&position=7

So the graphic on FreePik is credited to CG Vector

http://www.cgvector.com/free-vector-of-halloween-party-template/

CG Vector appears to be loaded with copies of Shutterstock vectors, for example:

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-155501288/stock-vector-retro-thanksgiving-card-with-pumpkins.html
http://www.cgvector.com/free-vector-pumpkin-thanksgiving-card/

So if FreePik wants to be taken seriously as a legitimate source of graphics - and offering work that's been stolen or plagiarized puts FreePik's customers at legal risk as well - it should remove anything from CG Vector until it has a chance to verify ownership.

cathyslife · « **Reply #37 on:** February 05, 2016, 12:44 »

Quote

The users can download your resources free, but you will earn a lot of money. And this is the novelty.

I must be really dense, because this statement seems to contradict itself. If users can download my resources for free, how do I earn a lot of money? $5 per 1000 downloads is not a lot of money, for one thing, and I don't get what you mean with that "free" word.

Doesn't really matter, I am not an illustrator and wouldn't upload here anyway. I'm just trying to get what is going on.

Freepik · « **Reply #38 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:00 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on February 05, 2016, 12:40

Quote from: Shelma1 on February 05, 2016, 11:55
...Is Lena Pan working with you?

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-152546006/stock-vector-halloween-party-design-template-with-pumpkin-and-place-for-text.html?src=tFb7fol9TZ9gehCt8Iy6Bg-1-7

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/halloween-vector-party-template_610074.htm#term=halloween%20party&page=11&position=7

So the graphic on FreePik is credited to CG Vector

http://www.cgvector.com/free-vector-of-halloween-party-template/

CG Vector appears to be loaded with copies of Shutterstock vectors, for example:

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-155501288/stock-vector-retro-thanksgiving-card-with-pumpkins.html
http://www.cgvector.com/free-vector-pumpkin-thanksgiving-card/

So if FreePik wants to be taken seriously as a legitimate source of graphics - and offering work that's been stolen or plagiarized puts FreePik's customers at legal risk as well - it should remove anything from CG Vector until it has a chance to verify ownership.

Thank you Jo Ann Snover. It's correct. In this or in another forum we have explained that Freepik was a search engine that compiled content from other sites.

And this resource was taken from Vecteezy (you can see in the right column, under the download button). We haven't the resource in our servers; we only redirects our users to vecteezy.

But, of course, we are going to delete it. As we said you, "whenever we detect plagiarism, we take measures immediatly removing the content, but it is inevitable that some case go unnoticed."

stockastic · « **Reply #39 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:10 »

This guy is like Martin Shkreli. He has an answer for everything, but never quite addresses the real questions. Even if we wanted to play DMCA whack-a-mole, how would we even find out if any of our stuff was there?

Freepik · « **Reply #40 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:18 »

Quote from: cathyslife on February 05, 2016, 12:44

Quote
The users can download your resources free, but you will earn a lot of money. And this is the novelty.

I must be really dense, because this statement seems to contradict itself. If users can download my resources for free, how do I earn a lot of money? $5 per 1000 downloads is not a lot of money, for one thing, and I don't get what you mean with that "free" word.

Doesn't really matter, I am not an illustrator and wouldn't upload here anyway. I'm just trying to get what is going on.

First of all, sorry for my english. I know it isn't perfect

I will try to explain it better. The users can download your resources for free, but you earn a lot of money because we will pay to you per downloads.

For example, this illustration was uploaded 4 days ago and it has +9000 downloads. (it's an exclusive resource designed by freepik, but imagine that is yours).

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-roses-and-leaves-pattern_836794.htm

You would have won $ 45 in 4 days, and this amount continues growing, of course. And, also, you could to have the illustration in other banks, because it's a non-exclusive agreement.

How about it? Here you have more info: http://www.freepik.com/become-a-contributor

Freepik · « **Reply #41 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:32 »

Quote from: stockastic on February 05, 2016, 13:10

This guy is like Martin Shkreli. He has an answer for everything, but never quite addresses the real questions. Even if we wanted to play DMCA whack-a-mole, how would we even find out if any of our stuff was there?

How do you do it in other sites? You are artists, I guess that you have always this problem, not only in Freepik. We are also often victims of plagiarism, and we find it when someone tell us or when we I seek our images on Google.

But, really, the copies on Freepik are exceptions.

Microstockphoto · « **Reply #42 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:34 »

a lot of money? 0.005c per download. are you sick in the head?

Monty-m-gue · « **Reply #43 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:35 »

Quote from: Freepik on February 05, 2016, 13:18

Quote from: cathyslife on February 05, 2016, 12:44
Quote
The users can download your resources free, but you will earn a lot of money. And this is the novelty.

I must be really dense, because this statement seems to contradict itself. If users can download my resources for free, how do I earn a lot of money? $5 per 1000 downloads is not a lot of money, for one thing, and I don't get what you mean with that "free" word.

Doesn't really matter, I am not an illustrator and wouldn't upload here anyway. I'm just trying to get what is going on.

First of all, sorry for my english. I know it isn't perfect :-)

I will try to explain it better. The users can download your resources for free, but you earn a lot of money because we will pay to you per downloads.

For example, this illustration was uploaded 4 days ago and it has +9000 downloads. (it's an exclusive resource designed by freepik, but imagine that is yours).

http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-roses-and-leaves-pattern_836794.htm

You would have won $ 45 in 4 days, and this amount continues growing, of course. And, also, you could to have the illustration in other banks, because it's a non-exclusive agreement.

How about it? Here you have more info: http://www.freepik.com/become-a-contributor

Which all begs the question: how is Freepix making money?

Freepik · « **Reply #44 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:40 »

Monty-m-gue, we have subscribers to Freepik and we have advertising in our site.
We have 10 million users around the world.

Freepik · « **Reply #45 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:41 »

Quote from: Microstockphoto on February 05, 2016, 13:34

a lot of money? 0.005c per download. are you sick in the head?

Please, read this interview: http://www.freepik.com/blog/kirsty-pargeter-how-to-earn-money-with-your-designs/

Microstockphoto · « **Reply #46 on:** February 05, 2016, 13:43 »

9000 downloads 45 dollar

nuff said

klsbear · « **Reply #47 on:** February 05, 2016, 14:25 »

Freepik, you mentioned that the free downloads require attribution whereas the paid subscribers are not required to include attribution.

Attribution is rather worthless however I am curious as to what steps you take, if any, to assure that those hundreds of thousands of free downloads are properly attributed?

stockastic · « **Reply #48 on:** February 05, 2016, 14:29 »

$5 for 1000 downloads. HOW WONDERFUL. LOL LOL I'm going to quit spending all day in the park with a metal detector, and become a "designer", it pays about the same.

ppdd · « **Reply #49 on:** February 05, 2016, 14:40 »

This is going to be a losing battle in the forum for Freepik, but the reality is that they have a business model, and it's working, and they are paying people to participate, which is more than most sketchy free outlets. The copying is worrisome, and they have grown to a point where it is difficult to police. That needs to be addressed. People download things a ton because they are free. You can make $45 quickly with free downloads, or you can complain about being one of 60 million elements (many very similar) in Shutterstock and hope that your work gets picked a few times. There are userbases that are addressed by each model. Do you think that this graphic being downloaded 9000 times is depriving you of 9000 legitimate licenses? No.

Freepik is here to discuss the model, and you can be crappy and make sure that no sites bother to defend themselves in the future, or you can examine the changing landscape of how media is distributed and, since it's not going away, see how it can be ethically improved. Yes, this model is a threat to other models, which were threats to the models before.

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Author Topic: Photaki - the next crook? (Read 31275 times)

Shelma1

cathyslife

Freepik

ShadySue

cathyslife

Shelma1

Freepik

sharpshot

skyfish

Shelma1

Freepik

Jo Ann Snover

cathyslife

Freepik

stockastic

Freepik

Freepik

Microstockphoto

Monty-m-gue

Freepik

Freepik

Microstockphoto

klsbear

stockastic

ppdd

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