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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Image Sleuth => Topic started by: garren on January 22, 2011, 15:39

Title: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: garren on January 22, 2011, 15:39

I was poking around google last night to see if I could find any of my images in use and came across a forum that is full of watemarked images. Mostly from IS, SS and Veer.
It appears to be a game played out within a forum. It looks to be harmless fun and not hardcore pirating but I thought I would post a link and make the stock community aware of it.

Im not sure exactly how the game is played or whats going on but if you click on any of the game round threads you'll find the watermarked images.
http://www.parentsconnect.com/parenting-boards/baby-names-games?page=2 (http://www.parentsconnect.com/parenting-boards/baby-names-games?page=2)

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: cathyslife on January 22, 2011, 15:48

Thanks for the heads up Garren.

Lot of people shots here for those folks who have them in their port.

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: cathyslife on January 22, 2011, 16:15

I have contacted the people who run the site (it is using the name Nickelodeon Family and Parents, but I don't see the actual Nickelodeon logo, so not sure if they are connected), because I just found one of my images from Veer being used.

I have politely asked that ALL watermarked images be removed or they will be reported to the agencies' copyright enforcement departments. We'll see what happens.

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: cathyslife on January 22, 2011, 16:28

Just received an email from the site. It is not the site posting the images, but individual users. Their IT team is going to be alerted, and the watermarked images removed.

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: madelaide on January 22, 2011, 16:32

Some images are linked to the sites, without (apparently) any referral. I wonder if the sites offer blog sized image links like these as a form of marketing. 

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: cathyslife on January 22, 2011, 16:44

Quote from: madelaide on January 22, 2011, 16:32

Some images are linked to the sites, without (apparently) any referral. I wonder if the sites offer blog sized image links like these as a form of marketing. 

My image was not linked to a site. It was just embedded in the post. That's copyright infringement.

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: cathyslife on January 22, 2011, 17:02

This worked out well. The woman I have been in contact with...her husband was an Image Bank photog, so they are sensitive to the issue.

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: fotografer on January 22, 2011, 17:05

That seems to be an adult forum but I have never seen such a pointless childish forum game.  There seems to be a lot of women with too much time on their hands.!!!
It wouldn't bother me in the least if they use my images for their silly games as far as I'm concerned it's as harmless as cutting one of my images out of a magazine and using it for a game.

Title: Re: Lots of Watermarked Images
Post by: cathyslife on January 24, 2011, 07:16

Checked again, still there. Will follow up today.