MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: stvagna on January 07, 2016, 08:34
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iStock exclusive "MacroZone":
© "MacroZone": http://www.istockphoto.com/photo/christmas-wreath-and-pine-cones-isolated-with-bow-on-white-79787187 (http://www.istockphoto.com/photo/christmas-wreath-and-pine-cones-isolated-with-bow-on-white-79787187)
© "ajdebre" Shutterstock: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-162776807/stock-photo-christmas-wreath-isolated.html (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-162776807/stock-photo-christmas-wreath-isolated.html)
© "MacroZone": http://www.istockphoto.com/vector/red-reflective-shiny-heart-on-isolated-white-background-81892141 (http://www.istockphoto.com/vector/red-reflective-shiny-heart-on-isolated-white-background-81892141)
© "freepik.com": http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-colorful-glass-hearts_596683.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-colorful-glass-hearts_596683.htm)
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freepic.com seems to be a site that very closely copies best selling vectors—and outright steals some—and gives them away for free. I see ripoffs of some of mine.
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Another great find, detective stvagna!!
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freepic.com seems to be a site that very closely copies best selling vectors
This has been uploaded by "MacroZone" to iStock about 2 weeks ago on 12-23-2015
© "MacroZone": http://www.istockphoto.com/vector/red-reflective-shiny-heart-on-isolated-white-background-81892141 (http://www.istockphoto.com/vector/red-reflective-shiny-heart-on-isolated-white-background-81892141)
This one is online for 3 years:
© "freepik.com": http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-colorful-glass-hearts_596683.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-colorful-glass-hearts_596683.htm)
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Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-163954694/stock-photo-black-friday-shopping-bag-and-sales-tag-marketing-template-jpg.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-1-23 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-163954694/stock-photo-black-friday-shopping-bag-and-sales-tag-marketing-template-jpg.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-1-23)
Freepic: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759530.htm#term=black%20friday&page=5&position=0 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759530.htm#term=black%20friday&page=5&position=0)
Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-162025238/stock-vector-elegant-shopping-woman-black-friday-advertising-background-template-eps-vector-grouped-for.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-1-2 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-162025238/stock-vector-elegant-shopping-woman-black-friday-advertising-background-template-eps-vector-grouped-for.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-1-2)
Freepic: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-friday-shopping-vector_759461.htm#term=black%20friday&page=4&position=34 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-friday-shopping-vector_759461.htm#term=black%20friday&page=4&position=34)
Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-160874924/stock-photo-elegant-black-shopping-bag-with-sales-tag-and-red-bow-jpg.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-2-1 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-160874924/stock-photo-elegant-black-shopping-bag-with-sales-tag-and-red-bow-jpg.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-2-1)
Freepic: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759528.htm#term=black%20friday&page=4&position=35 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759528.htm#term=black%20friday&page=4&position=35)
Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-217812895/stock-vector-black-friday-sale-design-eps-vector.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-1-1 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-217812895/stock-vector-black-friday-sale-design-eps-vector.html?src=J2eVOj7ThwNdixym8baDYg-1-1)
Freepic: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-friday-sales_759531.htm#term=black%20friday&page=5&position=35 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-friday-sales_759531.htm#term=black%20friday&page=5&position=35)
That's just one search. The whole site is ripoffs, it looks like.
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They mainly use bots to trawl other sites for images then offer them on their site, mostly from warez sites as far as I can work out, then charge for subs if you don't want to have to provide attribution, yes for images that aren't even theirs to begin with.
They are pretty much monsters in my opinion. They approached me a while back asking if I would give them my work in exchange for X amount per however many thousand downloads (can't remember the numbers). The scary thing about that is that they obviously see what they are doing as somehow legit if they approaching copyright holders.
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They sure didn't approach me.
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I would noify SS Shelma
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They mainly use bots to trawl other sites for images then offer them on their site, mostly from warez sites as far as I can work out, then charge for subs if you don't want to have to provide attribution, yes for images that aren't even theirs to begin with.
Do you have some examples of this?
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http://www.freepik.com/about (http://www.freepik.com/about)
Examples of work that has been lifted has already been linked to. The above explains their "model" What else did you want?
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Click on the how to attribute link under any image. It's worse than I thought. They want copyright attribution for freepik, even though they claim to be a search engine. Shelma1, your images are supposed to be attributed as "designed by freepik" for example!
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Copyright infringement by "MacroZone"
Christmas Wreath
© "MacroZone": http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup?id=79688241 (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup?id=79688241)
From Shutterstock © "ajdebre": http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-162776804/stock-photo-christmas-wreath-with-baubles-and-red-bow-isolated.html (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-162776804/stock-photo-christmas-wreath-with-baubles-and-red-bow-isolated.html)
Colorful hearts
© "MacroZone": http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup?id=81892205 (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup?id=81892205)
From © "thevectorart": http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-colorful-glass-hearts_596683.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-colorful-glass-hearts_596683.htm)
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Well done stvagna for exposing this thief!!
I look forward to clicking MacroZone and having IS say page not found. >:(
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[url]http://www.freepik.com/about[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/about[/url])
Examples of work that has been lifted has already been linked to. The above explains their "model" What else did you want?
They seem to produce close copies of existing popular works, which is completely different than what you said they do.
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Amusing that they list Adobe as a 'company which uses Freepik'. If true, that isn't very encouraging re their stock offering!
They appear to be SS affiliates - that's where the premium files I clicked on were, also once (only) I got a popup with a FP15 (IIRC) discount code for SS.
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[url]http://www.freepik.com/about[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/about[/url])
Examples of work that has been lifted has already been linked to. The above explains their "model" What else did you want?
They seem to produce close copies of existing popular works, which is completely different than what you said they do.
No. They claim to be a search engine pulling work from other sites on the Internet. Then they say you have to attribute it to them or pay for a subscription. As I described. Where are you getting the impression that they are producing their own work? Just read their about page or email them and ask. They were open about what they are doing.
ETA, yes I dug up some old correspondence. They index from external websites, the examples they gave include "allfreedownloads dot com" a warez site as far as I'm concerned. So, yes, they double down on hiding behind DMCAs.
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Just took a closer look at Shelma's examples, now I understand, those are copies that are actually by FreePik. Wow, it gets worse, not only do they do what I said but even their own designs are very close copies of people's work.
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What is Freepik's business model? What's their main source of income? Looks like a business pretending to be all modern, 'great designs should be shared for free' hipster nonsense.
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What is Freepik's business model? What's their main source of income? Looks like a business pretending to be all modern, 'great designs should be shared for free' hipster nonsense.
They are earning hell lot of money from google adsense ads and also using some shutterstock referrals
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They also charge for allowing you to use the work without attributing it.
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MACRO ZONE IS DOWN!!!!
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Hi everyone,
I am Luisa, Head of Marketing Communication at Freepik.
Michele, first of all, we want to inform you that the images which you've indicated have been deactivated and we have taken actions against the person who has designed them.
Certainly the designer was inspired in your work and so we decided to take them off Freepik. We review each design and we always demand that the designs should be original, but in this case we have been deceived too.
I also would like to explain to all Freepik´s business model for you to understand where our revenues come from and what has happened with Shelma.
The site began as a search engine of free images and it used to take free images from the internet and it used to index them.
Then we started to produce our own content. For this we have a team of designers, from different locations around the world, who work with us creating exclusive resources.
Finally, we recently launched a system of contributors, where designers can upload their content and earn money for every download they get through their illustrations. In this case, the content is not exclusive of Freepik and each resource is credited to the author. As a result, this is a very beneficial system and all designers who work through this system are very satisfied with their earnings. Sometimes even earning more than in other stock websites.
The companies main earnings come from the advertisements we do with Shutterstock and Google Adsense, and of course with the premium plans we offer. With this premium plans, users can use the illustrations of Freepik without any attribution. (Our images are free, but you need to credit the author, whereas the premium subscribers can use them without any attribution).
As you can see, our business model of offering free images is unique compared to other companies business model and it is beneficial for both users and designers. We'd love to know your point of view regarding this and please do not hesistate in asking any questions or doubts you would have regarding this..
Sorry again, Michele.
Best regards
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The site began as a search engine of free images and it used to take free images from the internet and it used to index them.
So you don't do this any more? because I just took a look and it seems like you have still got work pulled from sites clearly violating people's copyright. Here are two examples I found after looking for 1 minute that you have pulled from allfreedownload.com
Yours:
http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/cute-cartoon-animals-zoo-vector-graphics_684648.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/cute-cartoon-animals-zoo-vector-graphics_684648.htm)
The actual owner:
http://www.123rf.com/photo_3429873_stock-photo.html (http://www.123rf.com/photo_3429873_stock-photo.html)
Yours:
http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-vector-misc-fine-drums-art_676795.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/free-vector-misc-fine-drums-art_676795.htm)
The actual owner:
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-48535954/stock-vector-vector-drums.html?src=pp-photo-33926740 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-48535954/stock-vector-vector-drums.html?src=pp-photo-33926740)
There have been 3 million plus downloads from your site of files from just this one warez site, most of these are likely in violation of artists copyright (in my opinion).
It is no good hiding behind the DMCA waiting for artists to get in touch with takedown notices when your whole model is based on giving away other people's work in violation of their copyright. Artists can't spend their whole time looking through your millions of images. Shame.
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I'm sure Freepik will say that they are just indexing allfreedownload.com (the real site has dashes between the words) and the voilation is not theirs. And I think they have point. The allfreedownload.com is a major violator, but the use the Shutterstock API, so they have been vetted and apporved by Shutterstock. If Shutterstock shut down their API access, they would not exist. Shutterstock is funding sites like this who are very careless with their content. So complain to Shutterstock, not Freepik. Shutterstock should do a better job researching their API partners.
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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.
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You copied my images and offered them for free. I would NEVER work with you. EVER. Now take the rest of your copies down. And don't ask us to go through your library to figure it out...do it yourself. Just search your site, then do the same search on Shutterstock, iStock, etc. You'll be deactivating almost everything.
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By the way, you take down the exact copy of my image and replace it immediately with the same image, just with the bow and price tag moved around:
http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759528.htm#term=black%20friday&page=3&position=2 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759528.htm#term=black%20friday&page=3&position=2)
http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759530.htm#term=black%20friday&page=4&position=29 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-shopping-bag-for-black-friday_759530.htm#term=black%20friday&page=4&position=29)
http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-friday-bag_796376.htm#term=black%20friday&page=5&position=5 (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/black-friday-bag_796376.htm#term=black%20friday&page=5&position=5)
Is that how you "terminated the contract with the designer?"
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Hello,
We continue the conversation in the other threads that you are talking about the same subject.
Thank you
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Freepik seems to just use existing stock to create cheap rip-offs. Nice business model.
Freepik: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/adventure-badges-in-vintage-style_789925.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/adventure-badges-in-vintage-style_789925.htm)
Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=146294750 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=146294750)
Freepik: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colourful-adventure-badges_835057.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colourful-adventure-badges_835057.htm)
Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=130012607 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=130012607)
Freepik: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/the-classic-label-stickers----vector_604471.htm (http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/the-classic-label-stickers----vector_604471.htm)
Me: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=143023558 (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=143023558)
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Is there any way leaf can combine all the freepik threads? There's a lot of information being lost in the mess I think.
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Freepik seems to just use existing stock to create cheap rip-offs. Nice business model.
Freepik: [url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/adventure-badges-in-vintage-style_789925.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/adventure-badges-in-vintage-style_789925.htm[/url])
Me: [url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=146294750[/url] ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=146294750[/url])
Freepik: [url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colourful-adventure-badges_835057.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colourful-adventure-badges_835057.htm[/url])
Me: [url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=130012607[/url] ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=130012607[/url])
Freepik: [url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/the-classic-label-stickers----vector_604471.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/the-classic-label-stickers----vector_604471.htm[/url])
Me: [url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=143023558[/url] ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=143023558[/url])
If you feel like it, you should also check out one of his other sites, flaticon.com. It looks like they probably rip off icon sets and split them up and do mashups, then offer them for free. They also give away twitter, facebook, etc. icons.
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Freepik seems to just use existing stock to create cheap rip-offs. Nice business model.
Freepik: [url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/adventure-badges-in-vintage-style_789925.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/adventure-badges-in-vintage-style_789925.htm[/url])
Me: [url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=146294750[/url] ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=146294750[/url])
Freepik: [url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colourful-adventure-badges_835057.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colourful-adventure-badges_835057.htm[/url])
Me: [url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=130012607[/url] ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=130012607[/url])
Freepik: [url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/the-classic-label-stickers----vector_604471.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/the-classic-label-stickers----vector_604471.htm[/url])
Me: [url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=143023558[/url] ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=143023558[/url])
Although I see a lot of similarities, this kind of graphics is always prone to copycatting, ripoffs and stealing. Because it's hardly original or special to begin with. The same goes for minimalistic and simple icon sets. Sooner or later, all icon sets start to look alike.