Photo Theft by usaorchids

[Tom-DE]

usaorchids in Seattle, WA. U.S.A has used my photo for their Ebay listing without my expressed permission. Shame on them!

I normally don't mind but please do ask me for permission first...I have reported this to Ebay.

This is the photo they stole:

Den. laevifolium

[silken]

Yes, shame on them! Do you embed any copyright info in the data? You never know when one will be worth something and you will mind if it gets stolen. Nice photo and plant by the way

[ronaldhanko]

I've had this happen with Ebay sellers also. They seem to think it's okay to use any photos they can find to sell their items. I'm always willing to let people use my photos but not for commercial purposes. If they want to make money from them they had better pay me for them.

[Paul Mc]

This also should serve as a note to everyone buying from ebay that what you see is not always what they have. Oh yeah, they might have the actual plant, but not in the condition or pot they are actually selling.

[dounoharm]

nice photo, and shame on them for stealing it!

[Daethen]

Shame on them, but what a compliment. Yours was the nicest photo they found for an example.

[Tom-DE]

Another forum member said they stole two of his photos too(on the same group of listing now). Shame on them!

If you feel it is not a right thing to do, Please don't buy anything from this seller.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by silken

Do you embed any copyright info in the data?

Really? How does one go about doing that?

[Gin]

Sad thing is I think they are a forum member shame on them ..

[silken]

Originally Posted by Paul

Really? How does one go about doing that?

I've included a link that explains how to add it into Nikon and Canon DSLR's since that will explain easier than I can. I'm sure other types can do it as well.

Quick Tip: Add copyright info to your images (EXIF) | Richard Peters Photography blog

You can also add it in Photoshop in the 'Bridge' part under 'Metadata" In the 'IPTC Core' section scroll down quite far to the part that says 'copyright notice'. You can type in your name and year or whatever there.

A 3rd way is to use the text tool in Photoshop (and I'm sure other programs) and add your name and the copyright symbol on the photo. On a PC you just press the 'Alt' button and use the number pad and type 0169. It creates the copyright symbol. for Macs, you just press OPTION+G.

Doing one or all of these simple steps does give you some protection, but for full protection you would have to register your images with the U.S. Copyright office or whatever country you are in. By having it on the front of your image potential thief's at least know you are interested in protecting it and may steal someone else's instead of risk going to court.