Author Topic: Something fishy (Read 6466 times)

Artist · « **on:** August 08, 2016, 02:14 »

I just noticed something fishy with one of the downloader at shutterstock.

Day 1- I uploaded 10 design at shutterstock which got approved next day.
Day 2- I instantly got 10 downloads (at same time) of those 10 designs in 1:1 ratio. I was very happy that my designs are popular among buyers. Waited and expected more downloads, but didn't got any of them.
Day 3- No downloads again for those 10 designs
Day 4- Still no download, something felt suspicious. I started searching over the internet and found that all those 10 designs were present on the GFX website with free download.

Now the thing suspicious here is that I uploaded these designs only at shutterstock and nowhere else. So this buyer downloaded my stock and immediately uploaded to gfx website. I am sure he might be doing it for other too, so beware, if you get any instant downloads of all and then nothing. Better tell shutterstock team regarding it.

noodle · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2016, 06:33 »

Did you report it to SS?

Artist · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2016, 09:31 »

Quote from: noodle on August 08, 2016, 06:33

Did you report it to SS?

I am planning to report, I think shutterstock will bann the user and cancel his subscription. But, to me the question comes, is this the solution?
I am sure that there might be many buyers who do it, coz you will find 100s of illegal stock on daily basis. Shutterstock banns one and three more emerges.
Its a total loss of my time, earning, motivation and these stupid people do not understand this.
Still figuring about the right solution.

pixel8 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2016, 11:21 »

Get a Lawyer and Sue that user for damages. A lawyer will send a cease and desist to the GFX site, between SS and GFX a lawyer will be able to get the users info and take them to court.

Microstockphoto · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2016, 15:10 »

what is the gfx site?

Pauws99 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2016, 15:22 »

Can any clarify is it worth getting a lawyer? Sounds expensive

PixelBytes · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2016, 17:33 »

Quote from: Pauws99 on August 08, 2016, 15:22

Can any clarify is it worth getting a lawyer? Sounds expensive

Just to get a lawyer write a letter is a couple hundred dollars unless there's one in the family OP could just send v DMCA letter to GFX and see if that works. But if not, is the preservation of your IP and the elimination of a thief worth a couple hundred bucks? If you don't value your own work to spend a relatively small sum protecting it, you might as well let the thieves have it.

But first thing I would have done is contact SS.

ShadySue · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2016, 17:42 »

Do we know the OP is from the US?
It's even more costly if you use an international IP lawyer, at least hereabouts.

spc · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2016, 05:59 »

I'm not sure if this is the website you're talking about but I made a quick search on gfxttra and found 12 of my photos along with others I remember seeing on ss in different free packs and they appear to have been posted by different users. The whole "stock images" section of this website seems really fishy. I advise everyone to look for their photos there.

I wonder if ss would do something about this if we send them emails about our photos being shared free there. Do you think it's worth trying?

ShadySue · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2016, 06:11 »

Quote from: spc on August 22, 2016, 05:59

I'm not sure if this is the website you're talking about but I made a quick search on gfxttra and found 12 of my photos along with others I remember seeing on ss in different free packs and they appear to have been posted by different users. The whole "stock images" section of this website seems really fishy. I advise everyone to look for their photos there.

I wonder if ss would do something about this if we send them emails about our photos being shared free there. Do you think it's worth trying?

What could you lose by trying?

spc · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2016, 06:16 »

I was wondering if i should let ss know about this instead of sending infringement notices to the website because once they're removed I don't really have anything to email ss about

Artist · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2016, 06:20 »

Quote from: ShadySue on August 22, 2016, 06:11

Quote from: spc on August 22, 2016, 05:59
I'm not sure if this is the website you're talking about but I made a quick search on gfxttra and found 12 of my photos along with others I remember seeing on ss in different free packs and they appear to have been posted by different users. The whole "stock images" section of this website seems really fishy. I advise everyone to look for their photos there.

I wonder if ss would do something about this if we send them emails about our photos being shared free there. Do you think it's worth trying?
What could you lose by trying?

Its not just about loosing/ It cannot be just one plea... there are thousands of contributors who's works are being stolen and they are aware of it. There should be one voice.
You complain to shutterstock and they will say "we take such issues very seriously and we will investigate" and after 1-2 week they will bann the buyer. And again a new user will get registered and do the same. Remember that these people are not limited to shutterstock only.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2016, 08:49 »

I see lots of footage from Pond5. Must've been stolen and uploaded by those thieves.

For instance:
https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/37585216/astronaut-waves-deep-space-4k.html

You can find the same video offered on the Gfxttra site if you searching for "astronaut waving".

I also found one of my vectors in a download pack.
I'm going to spend my whole afternoon sending DMCA notices.

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Author Topic: Something fishy (Read 6466 times)

Artist

noodle

Artist

pixel8

Microstockphoto

Pauws99

PixelBytes

ShadySue

spc

ShadySue

spc

Artist

Noedelhap

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