Sorry all - another copyright thread / query...

[repeater]

Hello all,

Just wanted to pick a few of the more experienced brains in the forum if that's ok?

I have just used the tineye site to look at my images and was amazed that one of my pics came back with 10 hits. The sites are all blogs and I had a few questions about the legal standing of their use of the image. I would point out that first of all, I am flattered that they thought my image good enough to steal! However, i am disappointed that they have taken the image and are displaying it off their own server and used it without linking or crediting me

1) If they are just blogs, are they allowed to just use pictures from the web?
2) If I write to them, my request would be either credit me with a link to my flickr or take the picture down. Is this reasonable?
3) Are they obliged to take the picture down and if they don't, what can I do about it?

I just take pictures for fun and enjoy sharing them on Flickr - I'm not looking to make money. However, I kind of feel like they may be over-stepping the mark by just helping themselves...

The picture in question can be viewed here

Can anyone shed any light on what (if anything) I should be doing?

Thanks all.

repeater

 

[Lindsay D]

There's tons of stuff on this if you do a search Steve.

In brief, nobody has the right to use an image, anywhere, without the permission of the owner (the person who holds copyright). The owner of the image decides the usage terms.

I don't know much about Flickr but you may need to check your account preferences, with respect to privacy and image sharing.

 

[HoppyUK]

Technically, they are breaking the law and in theory you can use the full force of the law to have the image removed and for you to be compensated.

But it happens all the time. If you put stuff out there, the reality is that you should not be surprised. It happens on here often enough, and the mods usually step in and change the image to a clickable link, but it shows the level of ignorance of the law even amongst photographers.

We all breach copyright, all the time. If you photocopy a document, or a magazine page or newpaper article (or anything which you didn't produce or wasn't produced within your work organisation) then you have broken the law.

But... a) who cares and does it matter? And b) you can jump up and down as much as you like, even go legal, but if the host (possibly on the other side of the world) choses to ignore you then the chances are that's just tough.

The internet has driven a coach and horses through copyright and many other laws, and either turned them upsidedown or rendered them meaningless.

 

[Musicman]

1) If they are just blogs, are they allowed to just use pictures from the web?

No. Though see Hoppy's post above.

2) If I write to them, my request would be either credit me with a link to my flickr or take the picture down. Is this reasonable?

Entirely reasonable in my view. I've only ever had one blogger get shirty with me in response to such a request.

3) Are they obliged to take the picture down and if they don't, what can I do about it?

If the site's server is based in the US, you can serve a DMCA notice to their web host to require them to take the photograph down.

 

[repeater]

Thanks guys - I appreciate the info. Like I said, I take photos for fun and have no intention of using the law. I just would like to be credited as the photographer for pictures that are mine. I'll drop the blogs a friendly line and see what happens.

Thanks for taking the time to reply all.

 

[ziggy©]

It depends on the kind of permission you setup on your Flickr account. Your account setup could mean that they are not breaking abu laws. First check what copyright setting you have on your pictures on Flickr