someone is using my photo for advertising!

[100%hydrophylic]

id be flattered if a vendor decided to use my photos. but if i were you id confront them in a, well, non-confrontational manner lol. just be like "hey thanks for liking my photo so much, but next time could you ask?? i accept frags as apologies by the way"

 

[kingfisher62]

100%hydrophylic, I wish I read your reply before I emailed them. I Like the way you put it.
Yeah, I just emailed them literally 2 minutes ago.
Nothing threatening,basically just mentioned how disappointed I was and it would have been nice to asked first also kinda hinted on a free coral or something. I am very curious how they are going to handle this. I will keep you all posted.

 

[jeepguy242]

im along for the ride on this one, id like to find out how they handla it also

 

[kingfisher62]

:bounce2::bounce3::bounce1:Twenty-four hours , No response !:bounce2::bounce1::bounce3:

 

[Whisperer]

There's no flattery when someone steals from you. They should ask permission before they use it and not place watermark like they own it in the first place. That's just despicable.

 

[amheck]

:bounce2::bounce3::bounce1:Twenty-four hours , No response !:bounce2::bounce1::bounce3:

Took me 3-4 days to hear from them last time I sent an email

 

[kingfisher62]

Well, I got a reply and they are looking into it.

 

[Whisperer]

Yeah, they will make it appear like an innocent mistake.

 

[BlueCorn]

Yeah, they will make it appear like an innocent mistake.

He doesn't matter if it was an innocent mistake or not. Since the image wasn't registered he's got very little recourse. All they have to do, to clear themselves, is remove the image.

 

[kingfisher62]

Hey, I would be happy to let them keep it for a freebie of something next time I order.

 

[amheck]

you've said that a few times

 

[kingfisher62]

yup, I was hoping they might be watching this thread and take a hint!!!

 

[xtm]

Hey, I would be happy to let them keep it for a freebie of something next time I order.

I think you're missing the point.

The reason you want them to remove your photo is because it was taken without your permission, period. Think about it: you are basically degrading your work by accepting a freebie from them as compensation for using your photo w/o permission.

So, just politely ask them to please take it off and don't expect to even get any freebies. No matter how simple the photo is, it IS still your work, and you should value it.

JMO

 

[returnofsid]

I would never see it as flattery, if someone stole one of my photos. That's exactly what's happened here. If it were my photo, I'd demand it be removed and I'd do it very publicly, such as on their Sponsor Forum. If they refused to remove the photo, I'd take further actions. Doug is right, in that you can't collect any monetary damages, if your photo hasn't been registered. However, if you demand removal of one of your photos, and removal doesn't take place, there are other damages that can be rewarded.

There's no such thing as Public Domain, in photography, UNLESS the photographer specifically allows their pictures to be put in the Public Domain.

 

[kingfisher62]

Interesting thoughts people!

Just curious! Out of everyone who posted here ,how many do watermark their photos?
If so what program do you use to do that?
I know in our community here at RC we all love to share and show off photos of our 6tanks,fish ,inverts and coral but I do not recall seeing more tha n a couple of watermarked pics.

 

[Mr.Monkey]

I think you're missing the point.

The reason you want them to remove your photo is because it was taken without your permission, period. Think about it: you are basically degrading your work by accepting a freebie from them as compensation for using your photo w/o permission.

So, just politely ask them to please take it off and don't expect to even get any freebies. No matter how simple the photo is, it IS still your work, and you should value it.

JMO

Well said.

Ask politely to take your picture off or offer them to buy your picture for a reasonable price.

 

[amheck]

If so what program do you use to do that?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+watermark+photos

 

[kingfisher62]

Thanks amcheck, I actually googled that the other day.

Two more days and no reponse about them verifying where the picture came from. I think i wiil send another email!

 

[jedininja]

Why not post in their sponsor forum. They can't really ignore it there.

 

[IridescentLily]

Re: someone is using my photo for advertising!

I had that happen to me. Previous to that I'd ask folks to let me know if they would like to use them. That didn't work.
Then I had an idea, to use a "prop" next to the items I was photographing.
Then I realized I could watermark them in paint shop pro. So I took every bless-ed photo and added my name. And I had included my prop into my photos already.
These two together did multiple things; people were free to use them, I didn't have to worry about it anymore, and I got recognition for my work all over the web.

Watermark your photos!