I've seen previous posts that have complained about providers' photos being used on "fake" ad sites (they get our photos by scraping ads on legitimate sites).
If anyone wants to get those removed, you can (even if the website itself ignores any removal request) by filing a claim with the ISP that hosts the domain. I also had some photos on some sketchy ad sites, but I successfully filed claims until I had them removed. Here is the website I used to find the general info I needed to file a claim:http://www.mcanerin.com/EN/articles/copyright-03.asp And this is a sample document that I modified to file with the offending ISPs:
http://www.mcanerin.com/EN/articles/DMCA/DMCA-ISP.doc There are a couple of caveats to filing, and I would be happy to assist anyone by PM.
In the opinion of this non-lawyer (me!), I don't think that pictures have to bear a watermark or (C) copyright symbol, but I think it makes things easier and the question of ownership indisputable. I always suggest that newbie Providers watermark their pics as they start to establish their web presence.
KB: Based on what you've read and done, what's your take on watermarking and DMCA?
(NOTE: Even if watermarks aren't essential to enforce a takedown notice, they prevent others from stealing your pics and using them in their own fake ads (which make you look like a faker, too) or otherwise harming you and your business. Use watermarks!)
If anyone wants to get those removed, you can (even if the website itself ignores any removal request) by filing a claim with the ISP that hosts the domain. I also had some photos on some sketchy ad sites, but I successfully filed claims until I had them removed.
Here is the website I used to find the general info I needed to file a claim:
http://www.mcanerin.com/EN/articles/copyright-03.asp
And this is a sample document that I modified to file with the offending ISPs:
http://www.mcanerin.com/EN/articles/DMCA/DMCA-ISP.doc
There are a couple of caveats to filing, and I would be happy to assist anyone by PM.
KB: Based on what you've read and done, what's your take on watermarking and DMCA?
(NOTE: Even if watermarks aren't essential to enforce a takedown notice, they prevent others from stealing your pics and using them in their own fake ads (which make you look like a faker, too) or otherwise harming you and your business. Use watermarks!)
I mistakenly thought that my initial photos weren't likely to be targeted for theft, so your advice to newbies to watermark everything is great advice. Automated scrapers take all photos!
I should add the caveat that someone skilled with Photoshop can remove most watermarks; however, that is a good bit of work, and I suspect most individual thieves would move on to easier pictures to steal. The websites I had problems with were the type that use automated scrapers to copy images, so it's pretty unlikely that they will do the necessary edits.
I should also add that I think I've been retaliated against because of my copyright claims, but I doubt a person can get away with doing that in too many cases without raising flags to TER admin, so I would still encourage providers to file claims if they don't like the unauthorized use of their photos. Perhaps if more ladies did file claims, those sites would be forced to become legit (or at least only show photos voluntarily)!
-- Modified on 3/10/2016 1:43:15 PM