Photo theft

flricordia · Dec 24, 2008

returnofsid said:
Fish Pro, you're absolutely incorrect. Photographs are owned by the photographer. The photographer does NOT have the burden of having to copyright the product. The picture, when posted into any type of medium, including the internet, does NOT become public domain. Better read up on the laws. Photographers have very distinct protections, even several falling under the 1st Amendment. For instance, a photographer can stand on public property and photograph through a window of a private dwelling and it's legal. They can then post said pictures on the internet and they are NOT public domain.

I also believe that this type of "theft" should be dealt with, not let slide. It is no different than any other type of theft. If it's allowed to happen, what next??

Even if this ebay seller is a great person, they made a mistake...a potentially criminal mistake. They need to be made aware of that, AND of the potential consequences. The OP contacted this particular ebay seller, in an effort to deal with this in a less public way. The ebay seller made the decision to respond in an accusatory and defensive manner. The whole thing could have been handled differently had the ebay seller made the decision to respond in a responsible manner instead. It might have even worked into a contractual agreement to use the OPs photos, in a legal manner.

Ahhh. Breath of fresh air.

cparka23 · Dec 24, 2008

Funny that I just saw a ton photos labeled w/ "Pieces of the Reef" on a new RC sponsor's site. Wonder if POTR would feel any differently if they knew a competing business does the exact same thing. I guess it partly depends on whether the photos taken from Pieces of the Reef were actually their property in the first place.

For the folks here who don't see stealing photos as a big deal, look at it from a different approach. If you buy corals online, WYSIWYG is a big deal. I know I'd be upset if the coral I received wasn't the item pictured in a sales description w/o a disclaimer. How many times do you ask, "What lighting do you keep these corals to get them to look like that?" If the seller didn't take the photo, they wouldn't know.

Also, please realize that online photography is an industry in itself. If someone wants to use stock photography to represent their corals, they should take the time to see if it's available at a royalty-free website (i.e. iStockphoto). The images there are up for anyone for a nominal fee that goes to the photographer, then can be used however the buyer likes.

AquaWorldPSC · Dec 25, 2008

ReefDoctorMicromussas said:
I believe that to be wrong... If there is a watermark it should stay... as liberal as I am with my NON copyrighted photos I want the Watermark to stay You will find this watermark on ALMOST all of my phtography... Please feel free to post and use this image for free and in any fashion you like as long as the watermark remains (Unchanged)

One of my "Dreaming" series...

I see, it's good advertisement as long as the watermark is still there.

gparr · Dec 25, 2008

cparka23 said:
Funny that I just saw a ton photos labeled w/ "Pieces of the Reef" on a new RC sponsor's site.

Would you please send me a PM with the URL of that sponsor site.
Thanks,
Gary

returnofsid · Dec 25, 2008

Another example would be Flickr's Creative Common's area. This allows Flickr users to post their own pictures, while still allowing other people to use those pictures, under certain circumstances. If pictures are posted on Flickr, without giving Creative Common's authority, those pictures are assumed copyrighted and are the property of the photographer, automatically. No copyright has to be implied or applied for.

surfn · Dec 25, 2008

i was just contacted by an RC mod asking if this was my ebay auction. i told them that it was not, and this person has obviously stolen my picture

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250346032971

here is the RC user's thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1536650

flricordia · Dec 25, 2008

surfn said:
i was just contacted by an RC mod asking if this was my ebay auction. i told them that it was not, and this person has obviously stolen my picture

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250346032971

here is the RC user's thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1536650

You should file the VeRO (verified owners rights program) with ebay. They will send a link to print out a 2 page form that you fax back to them. The seller's auction that used my photo was removed a couple hours after I faxed the completed form in. Ebay takes it seriously it seems when a seller uses anothers property to sell without permission.
A search INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS on the Internet will give detailed information about photo, document and other thefts within the confines of the Internet.