Please Stop Stealing Pictures

I have noticed more that a couple of blogs around the internet using my pictures without asking(gasp!). I can't tell you how many times I have run across someone using my photographs with the line "courtesy of" or in this case "thanks to" Stephen Alvarez.  Well I have news. If you haven't gotten written permission from the copyright holder it is stealing. It doesn't matter how nicely you credit someone after the fact, you have to ask BEFORE you do it. It is sort of like stealing someone's car and expecting them to be happy when you say "nice ride man."

I am inclined to think that people just do not understand concept of Copyright, or the chilling effect that theft has on the creative process. In the case of this web site (here) that took my madagascar pictures, the person stole images from the National Geographic site by taking screen shots. You can't tell me that if you are doing a screen shot and cropping out the original web site that you aren't doing it intentionally.

So what do you do? In this case the images cost me months of time and NG tens of thousands of dollars. To have someone take the images and then use them to attract Google ads for madagascar tours is galling. My first instinct is to comment on their blog and say "fuck you for stealing my work, I didn't risk my life so your lazy ass could attract advertising!" 

But there is actually a reasonable way to handle it. Google has an online copyright infringement form (here). You should also make certain that your copyright is actually registered with the copyright office (here). 

There is a fair use exception to Copyright. It is the same one that lets me talk about other people's work (like here). However, I have to be talking about the work, not pretending that I have permission to take the whole story. So whenever I say something about what's on Burn or Lensblog, I show a peak at the work in context and if you really want to see it you can go to the right website. 

So what am I going to do about this? Well I filled out the google infringement form, maybe I will leave a comment on the blog also, maybe we all should.

-Stephen Alvarez

Comments

[Stephen Alvarez]

©Jonathanjk
Interesting, I think that you are right and most people don't equate copyright theft with stealing or piracy. But it is. I run a business based, in part, on licensing picture use. There is a way for JIGOO to license the images he took. When he doesn't pay the licensing fees he's taking money from National Geographic and me. Then there isn't as much money for the next story. It is a downward spiral... It is theft, and should be called what it is. I used JIGOO as an example in part because he (or she) has advertisements and generates income. It isn't an innocent, accidental use.

@calanan
That is horrible, I'd heard rumors of big agencies and clients doing this sort of thing but hoped they weren't true. If you have registered the copyright you may end up owning part of Toyota or at least a new 4runner. If you need a copyright lawyer shoot me an email...

[Jonathanjk]

As a photographer, I understand your concern and I agree with your blog post. But maybe I'm being pedantic here as, it's not 'stealing' per se, its copyright theft as you allude to later on in your write up. If I was actually caught 'stealing' your images then I would be denying you the use of said images, but that is not what is happening so why mention it?

I feel labelling it as 'stealing' is just dumbing down the issue. You can't call it stealing and then discuss copyright theft as though they are somehow related, they are two different things, keep it simple and just discuss the issue of copyright.

I feel the majority of people are just not going to relate to the actions they go through as stealing because you still have your imagery, just like people don't see themselves as pirate, when real pirates are those with weapons, seizing transport ships holding people to ransom.

[calanan]

Sadly this even happens with the big ad firms. Recently, my photo was used without permission by Toyota/Saatchi & Saatchi along with about 40 others in their new 4Runner ad campaign. Certainty whether its the case that someone claims "Well it's on the Internet so it must be free!" or "Let's just use it and if we get caught claim ignorance/pay them off!" it's still wrong, but the pessimist in me doesn't see the practise changing any time soon.

More about my case of photo theft http://blog.calanan.com/2009/11/found-my-photo-used-without-permission.html

[Stephen Alvarez]

@Luca,
Those are a great example of fair use. No, I don't feel infringed at all! Maybe I should be more clear, I welcome the discussion about photography on this and other blogs. We all support each other. I was discussing wholesale theft. like we saw on the site I used as an example. It is an honor to have your work discussed.

[Baldazen.wordpress.com]

Dear Stephen,
after reading your post,
I was immediately reminded about mt own blog posts about your work.
You can check them here:
http://baldazen.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/stephen-alvarez/
http://baldazen.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/stephen-alvarez-on-nprs-picture-show/

If you feel it is infringement of your copyright I'll take them down immediately.
Sorry.

Luca

[Stephen Alvarez]

this http://rjtalestold.blogspot.com/2009/12/extreme-travel-living-on-razors-edge.html is an example of fair use. The writer is talking about the story and can use an image from it in that context.

[J. Paul Moore]

That is why I have my images with LicenseStream/ImageSpan (on my website) to take advantage of their affiliation with PicScout to track my images and find unathorized use. I can then send a request for them to take down, or send them an invoice.

[Gavin Lyons]

Totally agree what a sponger.

[Danopendygrasse]

They've got you here too: http://zuzutop.com/2009/11/the-fascinating-stone-forest-on-madagascar/

[Rick Starr]

People are stealing internet content?!? Really???

Check this out... http://www.copyscape.com/

And this (old but very good)... http://www.timeforblogging.com/2006/12/10/how-to-protect-your-websites-copyright-when-someone-steals-your-content/

[LIndsey]

i agree!!! how can it be your blog if you're posting other people's photos? it's absurd