Author Topic: Possibility to pirate images on EyeEm (Read 9690 times)

Raymond · « **on:** March 05, 2019, 10:01 »

Hi, sorry, my English is rather poor. I hope you still understand what I'm writing here.
I have a few images on EyeEm market. My concern is that anyone can easily copy the photos from the website via screenshot and use it in the web. The resolution of the screenshot copies of 96 dpi and the size are suitable to use the copied photos for the web. On the homepage of EyeEm, there is apparently no protection against this. Other photo agencies, such as Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, have their names or logos on the pictures, thereby providing protection. EyeEm has it, too, but only when opening the larger formate images. Do I see this correctly or have I missed something? Any suggestions how to deal with this?

nomore · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2019, 11:15 »

I had your same concern with Eyeem and didn't submit there in the beginning.
I even wrote them a couple of times but from their answers they have no intention of adding a watermark soon.

Then even other sites started to offer larger - although not as large - unwatermarked previews, and at Shutterstock there are other ways to steal large images through a bug in their Facebook API.

So the only way to deal with this is accepting the risk.
Good people buy photos not because they can't steal, but because they value legality and peace of mind. And thieves will always be thieves, we can't fight them with technology only.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2019, 12:19 »

Quote from: nomore on March 05, 2019, 11:15

I had your same concern with Eyeem and didn't submit there in the beginning.
I even wrote them a couple of times but from their answers they have no intention of adding a watermark soon.

Then even other sites started to offer larger - although not as large - unwatermarked previews, and at Shutterstock there are other ways to steal large images through a bug in their Facebook API.

So the only way to deal with this is accepting the risk.
Good people buy photos not because they can't steal, but because they value legality and peace of mind. And thieves will always be thieves, we can't fight them with technology only.

I doubt the people stealing these images would ever buy them with the internet the way it is so while it is of course very annoying that people might steal them I doubt it is costing me money. So yes I agree its just something we have to live with.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2019, 12:41 »

This is what you can do.

a) Don't submit to them
b) Figure out a way to prevent image theft
c) Submit to them, and don't worry about the people who will just take the images, because there will be people who need larger images. (Not all images are used "just" for website design/etc).

cobalt · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2019, 14:08 »

Submit with open eyes the type of content where you can accept that risk.

There is a reason why I submit small daily life snapshots and not a lot of higher quality content and little people work.

It is unprofessional, but it is, what it is.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2019, 08:00 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on March 05, 2019, 12:41

This is what you can do.

a) Don't submit to them
b) Figure out a way to prevent image theft
c) Submit to them, and don't worry about the people who will just take the images, because there will be people who need larger images. (Not all images are used "just" for website design/etc).

Answer to b is a, only right answer is either a or c?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2019, 08:49 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on March 06, 2019, 08:00

Quote from: SuperPhoto on March 05, 2019, 12:41
This is what you can do.

a) Don't submit to them
b) Figure out a way to prevent image theft
c) Submit to them, and don't worry about the people who will just take the images, because there will be people who need larger images. (Not all images are used "just" for website design/etc).

Answer to b is a, only right answer is either a or c?

True, if you never upload, your work can't be stolen, but then you can't make any money from Microstock either.

B isn't going to happen, if someone can see an image on their computer, it's already on their computer.

C is about the only answer.

Quote from: Pauws99 on March 05, 2019, 12:19

I doubt the people stealing these images would ever buy them with the internet the way it is so while it is of course very annoying that people might steal them I doubt it is costing me money. So yes I agree its just something we have to live with.

Also part of C. I hate to admit it, but if someone steals images for a post or to send a friend or many other small uses, they wouldn't be a buyer either. No effect on sales. Yes I hate to see my work used free, I'm only addressing the financial side. The small uses from small previews aren't likely to change anything or take away a download.

Raymond · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2019, 13:23 »

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Following the comment from cobalt (“There is a reason why I submit small daily life snapshots and not a lot of higher quality content”.), I have now deleted several of my images on EyeAm. Namely those who are "top performers" at other photo agencies, or of which I believe to recognize that they could become “top performers”. I'm not happy with that at all, since they maybe could become "top performers" at EyeAm as well. Maybe I am worrying too much.
Speaking of Getty as partner collection of EyeAm: If I delete an image from EyeAm that has been accepted by the partner collection Getty already, will it stay at Getty?
I hate to see that Shutterstock shows numerous images of contributors without visible "watermarks" on facebook, giving everybody the possibilty to copy und pirate the photos.

Raymond · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2019, 13:29 »

... sorry, I wrote EyeAm. I, of course, mean EyeEm ...

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2019, 10:00 »

Quote from: Raymond on March 06, 2019, 13:29

... sorry, I wrote EyeAm. I, of course, mean EyeEm ...

So this isn't about Popeye the Sailor Man?

Astrantia · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2020, 05:25 »

I started submitting to EyEm and discovered that problem after two days as well. I was able to upload all kinds of pics of other useres making a screen shot.
I then decided I do not want this for my pictures- deleted all my pictures and left EyEm for good.