Advice needed.

pxl8

pxl8

Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,288
Name
Andy Jones
Edit My Images
Yes
Interesting problem I've got here.

I uploaded a bunch of my photos to a wildlife forum ages back but I haven't used the forum for ages. I wanted to remove the images so I didn't have to worry about keeping tabs on them any more but there's no way to remove images from the gallery. Searching the threads I found the correct course of action was to "report" the images and ask for them to be removed. I reported one and requested all my images were removed.

You guessed, they refused saying that it would break any threads that linked to the images. I've just sent a PM to the admin insisting that they are removed ASAP and that I have withdrawn my permission for the photos to be used.

Advice anyone?
 
You've done the right thing - just keep checking. If they are still there in a couple of days get really heavy with them. Infringement of copy, etc
 
I know this is a last resort, but if possible move the images from the hosting site. If that is not possibe, remove the images from the hosting site, change the file name of the images by one character and re-upload them. that way your images stay in the same place, and they loose the links regardless (provided they dont cooperate that is)

I think you have done the right thing by asking first though.
 
Response was that the T&Cs state they have a non-exclusive unlimited licence to use the images but they will look into removing them when they have time.

I've written back stating that as the T&Cs don't provide criteria for withdrawal they'd be deemed unfair. I asked for an assurance that they'd be removed within 30 days.
 
Contact their hosting company, tell them that they (the forum owners) are using your images without your permission and are refusing to remove them.
 
Well they're saying it will take 90 days to remove the photos which is just nonsense. They said their T&Cs were similar to a bunch of others sites, except all the other sites allow users to remove photos.

Email sent to the hosting company.
 
never trust dodgy online photography forums. :nuts:

(Good luck, hope you manage to sort it out).
 
Woodsy2k said:
I know this is a last resort, but if possible move the images from the hosting site. If that is not possibe, remove the images from the hosting site, change the file name of the images by one character and re-upload them. that way your images stay in the same place, and they loose the links regardless (provided they dont cooperate that is)

I think you have done the right thing by asking first though.
Click to expand...

As they seem to be talking utter rubbish and you appear to have been more than reasonable ... I'm with Woodsy on this ... take the photos down your own way if at all possible because 90 days is so very unreasonable ... :shake:

Good luck ... :shrug:






:p
 
Unfortunately I can't remove them myself, the files are on their server. It's like putting a file on the TPF gallery and then not being able to delete it except by emailing Matty.
 
Ah ... bit of a bummer then ... need to push the host more forcefully perhaps ... :shrug:

Really is totally unacceptable behaviour imo ... :suspect:







:p
 
How about replacing the images in the gallery with blank files or a picture that says STOP STEALING MY PICTURES - upload them over the top of the pictures that are currently in your gallery with the same names. If they allow overwriting that should work.
 
they are talking hogwash. Take a few seconds to remove images from a gallery. Its small minded and petty to NOT remove something thats been requested. Ive had a similar experience myself of wanting stuff removed from a lesser forum, and it can be frustrating. Your work is your own, you share with a forum because you want to, if you want it removed, they should comply.

Can you edit the threads? If you edit the threads to remove the links they cant complain that its ruining the thread, someforums allow editing weeks after the event
 
Can't edit the threads or replace the images.

The reasons given for the delay are:

Affects search engine results leading to broken links
Removes comments which affects post counts leading to complaints
Breaks forum threads
"Many other problems"

I haven't been details of how it breaks threads probably because it's nonsense and would just lead to a red X.

I'm going to suggest they replace all of my images with a placeholder saying "Sorry this image is no longer available" which would prevent all the problems they are citing. Wonder what they'll say to that...
 
Might also help to tell them you've contacted their hosting company saying that they are breaching your copyright and using your images illegally.
 
Hmm, that's quite awkward. If their original T&C's stated that you were granting them license to display the images they're possibly under no obligation to take them down. The fact you no longer want them there might have no weight at all. Providing they're not using the images in any other way than allowing the threads to continue it's possible/probable they're not breaching copyright and you might just have to live with it.

I'd check exactly what you signed up to.
 
dod said:
I'd check exactly what you signed up to.
Click to expand...

The current T&Cs state that uploads grant a non-exclusive licence for use on the website. But this is where it gets complicated.

T&Cs have changed since I uploaded the files and there's no way for the user to terminate the agreement apart from not using the site - hardly the same thing. The T&Cs also state they are subject to change without notice and that it's the users responsibility to check them.

The problem I have with that is that they could change the T&Cs to a royalty free exclusive licence at any time and there's nothing the user can do about it if they don't agree - apart from stop using the site. They've already said they're only removing the images out of kindness and that they don't have to - the whole vibe is lacking any respect for their users :(
 
This is tricky, and outside my area, but there is always a right to terminate, no matter which legal field.

you own the copyright and you decide where your work can be displayed - presumably there is no reciprocal agreement or otherwise in place with this site (you don't get anything from them except storage space and forum rights?). If you terminate your membership then the agreement is concluded i would have thought??
 
There's your get out pxl8, You said "The T&Cs also state they are subject to change without notice and that it's the users responsibility to check them."

So now you have checked them and you no longer agree with them and withdraw your permission for them to use your images. They must take them down.
 
I think their T&Cs are worthless, apart from being able to change them at will with no recourse for the user the site also forces gallery uploads as they disabled attachments and external image linking.
 
I had a similar problem with another site where I stopped paying subs and lost access to the site gallery where my pics were stored, so I was unable to delete them. The admin did delete them eventually but it took a while and got a bit acrimonious.
 
Steep said:
Might also help to tell them you've contacted their hosting company saying that they are breaching your copyright and using your images illegally.
Click to expand...

In light of you not being able to bypass the rubbish that they are talking, and remove the images manually, I would tend to agree with what steep is saying. Im sure they will get the message when the law is mentioned. Its like unreasonably bad after sales service from "X" retailer, and trading standards are mentioned. Best of luck mate. Hope it all gets sorted out.

If not pay someone alot of money to do some l33t haxor1ing to remove them that way! Hahahahahahahahaha!






Disclaimer: Dont listen to that last bit :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top