Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Yep - definitely yours Steve! Go after 'em! :thumbdown:

I saved it (will delete though), zoomed in and had a good look. The chance that theirs is someone else's picture is VERY slim, they would have had to be in the exact same spot (angle) at the exact same time (clouds) as you!

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Didn't notice anyone poking a lens over your shoulder while you were taking your shot did you?
Ever tried Photoshop Lightroom? It allows you to embed copyright info in your pictures.

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

On the positive note, haven't we all been telling you that your photos were good enough for publication......well, there you go!

Just need to have your name on it in future - as someone said, read them the riot act!

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Do they legally need to ask your permission?

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Stevey baby. it's only Calgary: do you have a copyright to that location?

Remember your blood pressure and relax.

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Yes. That is copyright law, so long as the creator can prove ownership.

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

It's not only that thay are using the picture, they're making money from it!

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

:blink:Go, get 'em Steve, though I'm not sure how you will prove it's yours:(

Rosie

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

I agree with Beebop your photos are very professional and you should definately make a living from it. :thumbsup:

However back to thread - is there some way of telling when you posted the pictures on the internet that can prove you took them before they did :confused: not up on that type of stuff but still pi$$ed off for you :thumbdown::thumbdown::thumbdown:

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

ive noticed that you have the c mark on your site, but you really need to put the bit about copyright on the website
ie not allowed to use my images for gain etc etc

We had this problem a while ago, when someone copied my text from our business site onto there site, but sadly left our details in, so they didnt do a right job :curse:

I emailed them a polite but firm email and advised that if they did not take off the said material i would sue them.
and i printed there page off just incase they decided to change it alittle.....

Another idea, why not ask them if they want to buy the photos you take, that way you both gain :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Like the other posters have said your photos are :thumbup: FAB


gill

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

My brother used to work in a photo developing boutique and no they are not allowed to use customers photos for advertising, they normally would contact a local photographer and either contract them to take some photos or pick some from the photographer/studios portfolio.

As Steve's photo is being used for the businesses advertising/money making purposes, they are definately in copyright (and if it was them who developed your photo originally) and possibly customer privacy law violations.

But in the positive, it is definately a nice compliment that your photo was deemed to look professional enough to use for advertising. They may be willing to pay you off to compensate, if not, I'd get on the horn to your local newpapers/mp to embarass the company into positive action/compensation.

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

In recent months a national magazine in the UK used a photo from our business website to help create some advertising copy for one of their clients. The ad was run several times, and came to our attention by an eagle-eyed individual in the UK that then kindly took the time to email and tell us. The ad insinuated that our business had benefited from their services, so in effect we were providing a testimonial for them.

Anyway, I contacted the advertising manager, quoting the relevant parts of ASA guidelines and asked for a printed apology, retraction of the ad and some compensation. I received a phone call and they admitted that they'd google'd for the image and not checked it's validity or relevance to the client. They promised to look into their procedures and how it had happened. Since then all has gone quiet, and they're not responding to my messages. Not sure I can be bothered with all the time and trouble it'll take to pursue it any further.

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

This isn't France. Here Steve would have to prove that they made money from the image. Just copying an image that is posted on the web isn't necessarily a copyright infringement. For example, this site:

http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/

mocks horses advertised for sale on the internet, also their owners, farms and facilities based on copies of pictures used in adverts and on websites. Obviously the victims frequently get their knickers knotted and scream "copyright!" but they can't sue, copying for comment or for use in education is "fair use". There's reams of explanation in old posts on that blog. It's only when the picture is used for profit that the owner has a case.

London Drugs may have another problem though. They seem to be representing that they somehow processed Steve's picture. That's a bit dodgy if they just copied it.

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Copyright exists and is held by the originator of any work, whether used for profit or not, unless it is signed over to another party. If a graphic artist creates an image or work for a client and they are paid by the client, the client only has the right to use that image or work, the artist still retains copyright as the creator, unless they specifically sign over the copyright to another party.

Educational use is for licensed educational institutions.

The following provisions of the Copyright Act are specific to "educational institutions," defined as, inter alia, "a non-profit institution licensed or recognized by or under an Act of Parliament or the legislature of a province to provide pre-school, elementary, secondary or post-secondary education."

If you want a good read, here is the Copyright act of Canada
http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/info/act-e.html#rid-33296

Re: Someone stole my picture
 

Thanks all.

I have sent an email to London Drugs asking them where they got the image from. I suspect they bought the rights to it from a website that specializes in buying and selling images.

I would like to know who this site or organization is and who they bought the image off. Whoever they bought it off is most likely the one who lifted it off the pbase site.

This image was placed on the pbase site very early on in my journey into digital photography and I was unaware of both copyright law and exif information at the time.

I still have the original image on my hard drive, I found it again last night so I can definitely prove it is my image.

On the one hand I feel quite chuffed that someone thought enough of the image to use it professionally and on the other hand I'm p*ssed off that someone is possibly making money from my photograph.

Thanks again
Steve