MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Sites that no longer exist => StockXpert.com => Topic started by: Eco on January 07, 2008, 10:37

Title: Another case of illegal use of an image
Post by: Eco on January 07, 2008, 10:37

I don't want to use the word "stealing", but doing a search for "cricket player" on StockXpert and right next to each other this is what I found:

http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=search&txt=cricket+player&x=24&y=3 (http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=search&txt=cricket+player&x=24&y=3)

This photo of a cricket player is mine:

http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=627799 (http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=627799)

and this vector image was created using my image:

http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=3029471 (http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=3029471)

Looking at a bigger version of my image it is clear that the vector image is an exact drawing of my image - even the folds in the clothing is in exactly the same positions.

I really don't want a photographer’s account closed. We all know what happened recently. Just want to get your opinion on this before I take action.

Title: Re: Another case of illegal use of an image
Post by: Pixart on January 07, 2008, 11:13

Nico, it's not a photographer's account.  It is an illustrator's.  Now that I've examined your example, I have no faith whatsoever that those brilliant illustrations in his portfolio are entirely his.  If he made a sillhouette out of your cricket player, I can't believe that he made any other figure from scratch.  It dissapoints me bigtime.   I had to hold back from posting a comment to the image that said "YOU THIEF!!! YOU STOLE THIS FROM NICO SMIT!!!!!"

If he only had a few in his port, I would think that oh, he's a beginner and doesn't understand copyrights etc.  This guy has 98 pages of illustrations!  He knows exactly what he's doing!!!!

Yes, I say do something.  I don't know what...  I'd think go straight to StockXpert (98 pages of illustrations...)

Title: Re: Another case of illegal use of an image
Post by: sharpshot on January 07, 2008, 11:17

I think this person has broken a copyright law, only the copyright holder should be allowed to do an exact trace like that without permission, so report them to StockXpert.

I this person on other sites?

Title: Re: Another case of illegal use of an image
Post by: massman on January 07, 2008, 11:22

Looks like a direct rip off to me. I would report it direct to StockXpert. I would also look for this image at other agencies and report it where relevant. Inspiration is one thing, this is just theft.

Title: Re: Another case of illegal use of an image
Post by: Pixart on January 07, 2008, 11:26

http://www.dreamstime.com/batsman-scoring-six-image3267257 (http://www.dreamstime.com/batsman-scoring-six-image3267257)

Title: Re: Another case of illegal use of an image
Post by: leaf on January 07, 2008, 11:53

yes I would report it.

quote from istock

Quote

"If you require a foundation to plot your points in Illustrator, ensure you are the original creator of the artwork/photograph/sketch/render/scan that you base your work on. Any illustration found to be based on work from outside sources (i.e. found art, images found on the Internet, other artists’ work, magazines, clip art, etc) can result in a suspension of upload privileges."

http://www.istockphoto.com/illustrator_5.3_traces.php

and more info from istock

http://www.istockphoto.com/illustrator_8.1_derivative.php

I don't think it is 'illegal' (perhaps yingyang has something to say here) but I know it is not an accepted practise for the micros.  I would let dreamstime, and stockxeprt (and other sites) know... as well as the artist himself.