What do you guys and gals think of people who steal images off other peoples websites? I think its a most crude and unprofessional thing to do.

For example, I saw this website (an MLM website) which stole 2checkout.com's PC image:

First check 2checkout.com
Then check mlmdc.com

I've attached a picture of the stolen image (with the website) incase the owner of the site (who posts in these forums) decides to change it, which he will :)

How many times has your site been ripped off like this? This recently happened to a site of mine (which I had quickly rectified by emailing the person who did it [and as usual the designer was blammed]) but still it angers me when some steals someone elses work....

Let me know your thoughts...

I really don't like people stealing designs, but for a picture is much more likely that it is from a free or paid picture shop/gallery.

Of course, theft of any kind is wrong...

But keep in mind that there are many companies out there who do nothing but maintain a bank of standardized images and license those images to others to put on their web pages, catologs, brochures, etc. Search for 'stock photography'.

Just because an image appears in more places than one doesn't necessarily mean it's stolen. Many people just find it easier to pay $50 for an image than to take pictures or create graphics for themselves (or pay someone hourly to do it for them).

http://www.gettyimages.com/

http://www.superstockimages.com/

http://www.indexstock.com/default.asp

http://www.1stopstock.com/

http://www.comstock.com/web/default.asp?s=13450.2589702606

http://www.weststock.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Muse2

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=stock+photography

If you look closely you will see that the image they stole of the computer clearly shows 2Checkout's web site being displayed. LOL. :D

first, this domain, mlmdc.com, is mine,
and it is pointing to the self replica website of my downline, Trey

and we are independant sales representatives for mlmdownlineclub.com

i am not sure who design the website,
but i do know 2checkout.com is our primary cc processor

if you have questions, go ahead and email 2checkout.com and also mlmdownlineclub.com

the site is not designed by me nor my buddy Trey,
as stated clearly in the website as "Independant MLM-DC Representative"

so, next time, please think before you post

"If you look closely you will see that the image they stole of the computer clearly shows 2Checkout's web site being displayed. LOL."

Exactly what im trying to point out.

Originally posted by sayap
so, next time, please think before you post


FYI -- im not saying you're the one doing the ripping, im just pointing out the rip.

I think if one were to document all of the image borrowing that is prevalent on the web, it would never end. Rather than discuss each case, I'd simply forward the info directly to 2checkout (or other site owner) and let them worry about it.

I've attached a picture of the stolen image (with the website) incase the owner of the site (who posts in these forums) decides to change it, which he will

:rolleyes:


FYI -- im not saying you're the one doing the ripping, im just pointing out the rip

:confused:

Originally posted by Chicken
I think if one were to document all of the image borrowing that is prevalent on the web, it would never end. Rather than discuss each case, I'd simply forward the info directly to 2checkout (or other site owner) and let them worry about it.

true :)

if anyone does a search for 'copying' here they'll get endless results :stickout

Click on Live Help:)

Okay, here's what I think of people who steal images.

They should all be shot!

But not to death, just some maiming.

Originally posted by bitserve
Okay, here's what I think of people who steal images.

They should all be shot!

But not to death, just some maiming.

Thats a bit extreme, just throw them in a turkish prison for a night ;)

Originally posted by ^Kyo
Thats a bit extreme, just throw them in a turkish prison for a night Better yet, every time we find one we should post at WHT about it, and talk bad about them! That'll stop this menace!

Oh wait, we already do that.


Since it apparently wasn't clear, the above post included sarcasm. I oppose the unauthorized use of copyrighted site content, but also oppose the practice of reporting every vaguely hosting-relating possible occurrence of it at WHT.

Originally posted by JayC
Better yet, every time we find one we should post at WHT about it, and talk bad about them! That'll stop this menace!

Oh wait, we already do that.


And *yet* it persists! :eek: LOL

Originally posted by avara
If you look closely you will see that the image they stole of the computer clearly shows 2Checkout's web site being displayed. LOL. :D
FREE ADVERTISING !!!!!
:D

Lock them in a room with Barry Manilow music piped in.

As if any of you haven't ever right click, did the old save as, then put a little photoshop magic to put it into your design.

Which brings up another interesting issue. If I cropped your image and put it into my design so that you cannot tell that it was your photo such as just a hand, or a finger, is that technically your image? Also, if I take your image and run it through several filters and renderings which makes it look entirely new - then again, is this your image?

As for design, if this really mattered, think about what a field day Amazon would have.

All in all - it always come to down to content. Every time. If a company steals your layout and trademark to appear as being you - then I'd say you have a point. But as for people using other people's images - that's just something you're gonna have to get to used to - being 1,000,000+ people are doing it on a daily basis. If you really have a problem with it, I'd say go lobby your favorite browser company and ask them to remove the "save image" thing. While you're at it, see if you can hide the HTML source code. :)

This is not to be a flame - just a prevenative measure to keep me free from Turkish prisons and all night Barry Manilow sessions.

Originally posted by Jezner
This is not to be a flame - just a prevenative measure to keep me free from Turkish prisons and all night Barry Manilow sessions. Ah, I knew Barry Manilow would strike fear into the hearts of potential graphics thieves :-))

Originally posted by Jezner
Which brings up another interesting issue. If I cropped your image and put it into my design so that you cannot tell that it was your photo such as just a hand, or a finger, is that technically your image? Also, if I take your image and run it through several filters and renderings which makes it look entirely new - then again, is this your image?

Simple answer - yes and yes.

Or rather, anything you make is your image - the point lies with the illegal use of the original image. You can change, modify, skew, or blend any image you like but you'll still be using an image illegally. Sure you can make it look totally different to the original, but that doesn't negate the fact. It's also just a poor habit to get into.

Greg Moore

Jezner,

I agree with Greg. And by the way, I never have stolen an image from another web site. I only have the one personal web site, but it's not that hard to create original content for it, and snap my own pictures.

It's unfortunate that we have to deal with lazy people who'd rather steal images than actually work and create one, or buy one, or even ask permission.

If you're that lazy, just stick with text. Much more legal and just.

rather, anything you make is your image - the point lies with the illegal use of the original image. You can change, modify, skew, or blend any image you like but you'll still be using an image illegally. Sure you can make it look totally different to the original, but that doesn't negate the fact.

I think that point is highly debatable. For example - I take your image and apply a massive amount of filters and rendering to it so that I am creating an entirely new image - for example - you take a picture of snow - I use the snow, do my magic so that it looks like metal grains, then apply to image - you've have an entirely new image.

That's just my point which, of course, does raise some interesting legal issues regarding art.

It's unfortunate that we have to deal with lazy people who'd rather steal images than actually work and create one, or buy one, or even ask permission.

But using already exisiting images without permission does not simply indicate a level of laziness. There are many other factors such as access. For example - I need a picture of space, or say Jupiter. By that argument, I'm too lazy to build myself a rocket and launch myself with a 35mm camera. Or how about the world trade center? I guess that indicates I'm too lazy to hitch a ride with Guy Pearce and travel back a few years.

Of course, I could ask the website owner (which I do in some cases - I carry Political Cartoons on my own personal website) but lot of times the point is wasted since the website owner doesn't know where he or she "borrowed" the photo.

My main argument is that this thread is taking a very grey issue and turning it black and white. All people here are basically stating that they have never scanned or used another image without permission. Everything you've created has been 100% yours which I find very hard to believe. (And by the way - if you take your own pictures - you have to get signed releases of people in them otherwise you doing exactly what you oppose)

The other reason I am responding to this thread is because I'm bored and still have another six hours of work to go before I can go home. :o

Regards,

Jezner

Pretty much any image you need is available as a licensed image or from a paid for image disc. There really isn't a need to start with jacked (as the kids say these days) images.

Edit:
I'll also add that as an educator, I have a bit more 'image borrowing' rights than many of you, but that doesn't mean I'd swipe an image and use it on a web site or use it in educational materials without reference to where I got it.

I've saved lots of images I liked, but I don't use them in the way you are describing, no. Never.

Originally posted by ^Kyo
What do you guys and gals think of people who steal images off other peoples websites? I think its a most crude and unprofessional thing to do.

For example, I saw this website (an MLM website) which stole 2checkout.com's PC image:

First check 2checkout.com
Then check mlmdc.com

I've attached a picture of the stolen image (with the website) incase the owner of the site (who posts in these forums) decides to change it, which he will :)

*snipola*

Let me know your thoughts...

Asher,

Do you **know** that any image was stolen?

Did you really think this was the correct way for you to continue a fight with someone over their hosting business?

When will your childish tirades stop?

If you really were concerned about a "stolen image" you'd have simply sent an email to 2checkout.com, so please do not try to claim that was your purpose here.

Try to show a bit of professional courtesy and limit comments regarding 2checkout.com to card processing and don't involve us in your petty flaming attempts.


TomD
tom@2checkout.com

Well, I'll let Tom speak to the specifics of this case, but in general, I purchase many images from Comstock and I though that this explanation of image piracy was very informative:

http://www.comstock.com/web/IHF/LICENSE/IHFLicensePiracy.htm

Originally posted by Jezner
...But using already exisiting images without permission does not simply indicate a level of laziness. There are many other factors such as access. For example - I need a picture of space, or say Jupiter. By that argument, I'm too lazy to build myself a rocket and launch myself with a 35mm camera. Or how about the world trade center? I guess that indicates I'm too lazy to hitch a ride with Guy Pearce and travel back a few years...


I guess I assumed that if someone could create a picture of whatever they needed easily, fast, and cheap, or if they could easily, quickly, and cheaply get permission to use a picture that they would, and that they wouldn't steal other people's images. Hence, I see laziness. I guess they could be stealing even if it was less convenient.

Like I said before, if you can't get the picture legally, stick to text. You don't need to illegaly use a picture on your site.

Originally posted by Jezner
But using already exisiting images without permission does not simply indicate a level of laziness. Agreed. Often it would take a lot of work to steal and modify an image. Taking images without permission simply indicates a level of theft of intellectual property. Calling it "laziness" is just an attempt to insult those who do it. But it's no easier to search the web for an image to steal than it would be to search a stock image site. Of course, I could ask the website owner (which I do in some cases - I carry Political Cartoons on my own personal website) but lot of times the point is wasted since the website owner doesn't know where he or she "borrowed" the photo.So what? If someone steals a car and leaves it in front of my house that doesn't mean I can now take it because no one knows who owns it. If you ask a website owner for permission to use an image, and that person says that they don't own the copyright to that image, you can't use it. Simple.My main argument is that this thread is taking a very grey issue and turning it black and white.From a legal standpoint, it's very much a black and white issue. That copyright laws are frequently violated doesn't make them invalid.And by the way - if you take your own pictures - you have to get signed releases of people in them otherwise you doing exactly what you oppose Sometimes. Depends on the context of the photo, and on how it's used.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........

Sorry, just woke up. Anything meaningful happening here?

Jacking someone's website layout is one thing...
Jacking someone's graphic design is one thing...
Jacking someone's style of graphic design is one thing...
But jacking someone's photography that they have put on the web is another. I have been designing for many years, and I don't even own a personal camera (35 OR Digital) *though I wish I did*. I do not pay for my photos, but if A. you give credit to the artist and B. you use the photo in some other way then it has been originally used, then it is a completely different story. I would never use a photo that I have taken the same exact way that it was used originally. I would also give credit to the artist if at all possible. But it is a photograph, it is meant to be shared. If you didn't want people to use it then don't put it on the web, you know? As long as it is not being used for profit then it is not illegal to take it.