Bloggers - Photo Use Question

[Mr. White]

So, I have a blog. Non of my photos are copyrighted or anything. It’s not a money making venture. Just a fun hobby blog.

I’ve found that a tournament organizer has used one of my blog images in the online promotional material for his event. Twice. The first time I spotted this last year, I gave him a playful jab about royalties. His response was just an emoji. Well, he’s done it again for an event this year. Same image.

I’ve played in one of his events before so know him in the loosest sense only.

I kinda wanna say something. I mean, at least ask or give the blog some credit. this isn’t any event I’m participating in. The tournament is across country.

So, any suggestions on how to handle this? Has anyone with a hobby blog noticed their images in use somewhere? How’d you handle it?

[Mr. White]

Ha! Yeah.

I need to make a correction. He’s not using the image a second time, it’s a new marketing push for the same event. My mistake.

My image is still included though

[Gunbird]

Giving your Blog credit is literally the least he can do.

Did he just copy the picture or does the online promotion use the URL of your photo to show it?

[HerbertTarkel]

Send them an invoice.

This. Your work is worth something.

[pixelgeek]

This. Your work is worth something.

Don't do this. People that use images without credit are the type to complain publicly about something like sending them an invoice for your image. Also, it is just a stupid thing to do. It escalates the situation needlessly.

Send them an email asking for a credit on the page or ask them to pull the image.

And then add a copyright notice to your site with a comment about not using images without permission and credit

[HerbertTarkel]

Don't do this. People that use images without credit are the type to complain publicly about something like sending them an invoice for your image. Also, it is just a stupid thing to do. It escalates the situation needlessly.

Send them an email asking for a credit on the page or ask them to pull the image.

And then add a copyright notice to your site with a comment about not using images without permission and credit

Ok Zac.

[mikedemana]

I would say something to the effect of...

"Hey - I am flattered you thought my picture was good enough to use to promote interest in your event. Thanks for the compliment! Can I ask a return favor, though? Can you list my blog either in link or text underneath my photos whenever you use them? I'd love to get more readers..."

"And if you let me know when you'd like to use them, I can also possibly use my blog to help promote your event, too..."

Mike Demana

[zemjw]

Crediting is just good manners, so it's bad he didn't.

You could try adding a watermark to the image. That way, anyone using it can't try to pass it off as their work.

You should be able to add the URL, or even just a (C) your name as a watermark, but if they resize the image it may not be readable.

[Daeothar]

Yes; watermarking is the best solution, though it won't help with the image already used, since he probably has that on file locally.

Politely asking him to pull the image or giving credit are probably the only reasonable options you have. Going in full tilt, although it might feel justified, will probably be detrimental to your local standing and relationships, if/when he takes position himself.

Lessons learned, and all that; in the future, all your pics will have your watermark. Place them in such a way that they can't be cropped out, but still so that they won't interfere with the image you're displaying of course

[mellis1644]

The other option is just to be flattered and happy that he has used the image and not worry too much about it. Note, I am not saying that what they are doing is right, but if he is not claiming that it is his own pic/image sometimes it's not worth the mental effort to get worked up about these things. We all (well us bloggers) put images on the net and they are being used by google and others all the time.

Asking him for a quick credit somewhere is ok but take this as great praise for you work, as it is.

Adding watermarks etc. will help reduce future images being taken, this if it keeps happening to your stuff but even that may not stop it.

[Luigi]

I've had something very similar happen to me for my blog (which has nothing to do with wargaming, it's a blog about postcards).
Someone took an uploaded scan of the back of a postcard and shared it for reasons I'm yet to understand.
 I 'm in the same line of thought as Melliss1644; take it as a compliment, getting worked out about it is really not worth the time and mental effort.
I sent the guy an email asking for at least a link to my blog (which he added), but in the end it's something I personally try not to worry about.

[Mr. White]

I sent him a joke invoice in the spirit of Blood Bowl.

I think overall, I'm going to lean towards letting it go. He's not out here making money on it. I'll try to appreciate the nod of using my photo.

Thanks, all!

[Jemima Fawr]

The very least he could do is to include a link to your blog.  I've seen this happen a lot on Facebook groups, sadly.

[Fitz]

The instant you published your photos, they were protected by copyright. You don't have to do anything to get that protection. If you do go to the trouble of registering the copyright, it just makes it easier to defend it legally.

You can release them into the public domain, or put them under one of the "permitted use" protections like copyleft, but you do have to do that intentionally and publicise the fact. I don't know much about those processes.

The long and short of it is that this guy has breached your copyright. You can choose to follow it up or not; unlike a trademark, you don't have to defend a copyright to retain it.

[Easy E]

I usually notify my attorney and they handle it.  A Cease and Desist from them normally does the job.