So blatant. When I complained, the agency said unless they take my actual file and re-upload it, not much can be done about it.
"Not much can be done about it....." Yeah, right. How about rejecting the image/footage because it's too similar to creative work already accepted? I've had
my own work rejected by agencies because it was too similar to things I've submitted in the past. So are they saying it's not alright to submit similar themes I've done in the past but its alright to copy/plagiarize someone else's original work?
The agency in question should at least contact the copycat and inform them that their image/footage will be withdrawn due to copyright infringement. If they don't respect/encourage uniquely creative ideas what's the motivation for submitting to them?
You said everything. your perspective is entirely correct.