Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Question solved for those who will accept it.

Those who won't will do what they want anyway.
(Doesn't apply to them.)

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

It is in fact illegal to use another's photographs without permission under copyright law. The problem is usually the lack of a meaningful remedy. You may be able to force a takedown of the photo, it you are willing to put in the time, money and effort. Before you can sue for damages, your image has to be registered with the Copyright Office. Then you will need an attorney, pay court fees, time and emotional stress in the hopes of collecting on the back end. Taking someone else's images is more than immoral, it is illegal...even on the internet (unless the photographer waived copyright rights or gave permission); but in most cases, it is not practical to enforce.

I did a google search on a several of images I had posted and found them being used on numerous sites. With place like Facebook, Etsy, and Ebay, a takedown notice was sufficient to get them to remove my images. Walmart, which was using one of my images that had been supplied by their vendor, also removed my image after a take down notice. However, I did not even know where to begin with international postings made in cyrillic scripts or asian pictogram languages.

I suppose I could put big old watermarks on my work, but they uglify the picture enough so that I wouldn't look or want my name associated with it.

Though it took me awhile, I have reached the stage where I just don't post images I care about.

Irwin

edit: After I posted, I see that mallen1330 gave the right answer while I was typing.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Again, copyright law prevails. My opinion and your opinion are just that - opinions.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Gene, is there a cost to register the images?
--Bob

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And/or beliefs, morals, and scruples...

But it's on the internet, it's free....

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

If you've provided "work for pay" with them in the past, send them an invoice for lifting your images. That should get their attention and serve as a reminder that your work is a product of your business much like they are in business.

Michael1079 Loc: Indiana

Hi, the info you posted about Meta/Facebook has been identified as a scam. Please see the article (here) for additional information. Best wishes.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/facebook-meta-posts-made-public/

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I stated that it probably wasn't legally binding but by posting you are giving notice to the public that your photos are not to be used for any purpose without your permission. Like putting a fence around your property to keep out trespassers, you are showing your intent. Nothing will stop someone from taking what they want but the more you can do to protect yourself the better. Copyrighting your images is your best help but not perfect.

Tony and Chelsea Northrup have a video on YouTube about an image that was taken off the web and used for a product. A fan of theirs notified them and they proceeded to file a lawsuit (I believe this was in Australia) By the time all was said and done and the money paid to lawyers and others they wound up with a very small amount in compensation. If that fan had not found the image and notified them they may never have known and the image could still be out there.

All you can do is the best you can do.

Dodie

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...yes, it's been resolved, thanks!

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Even if that is a scam, posting that your photos are off limits shows your photos are not open for the taking. Thieves will steal no matter what. If you will read the response I wrote to mallen1330 I mentioned a situation involving a photo stolen from the Northrups.

All you can do is the best you can do.

Dodie

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And after a more posts on one's FB timeline, it will be far enough down that no one will see it unless you pin it.
And it doesn't have to be that lengthy.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

True but if you post a statement with every photo ( which would be a pain in the rear) it would be seen every time that photo is viewed.

The best course of action is to not post any photo that you don't want stolen.

Dodie

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Sadly....

If people respected other people's work, there would not be a problem.

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

Thinking of legalities and ethics, I wonder how many of us get model releases for shooting sports teams and students. I make sure I do not sell photos of people I have not gotten model releases from, and I only post on FB photos of persons from our family who do not care if images of their children or themselves are shared.

When taking photos of persons at our church functions for posting on the church's website, I ask the persons if I can. That i s not a legal model release, but it is an ethical one. And I never sell any of these phots for money. Also, when in other countries I always ask if I can take any photo in which a person might be shown close up.

This is as much ethics as is not taking photos from FB and using them. --Richard

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

To guard against unauthorized copies, I only post watermarked thumbnails, very low resolution images. About 600 -800 pixels on the long side. Then again, Facebook reduces images to somewhat low resolution anyway, but usually good enough for online use. If I don't mind copies I'll go watermarked and about 1000 pixels on the long side.