Someone used my photo without permission.

TordFuglstad · Jan 29, 2015

So the last days one of my photos has been spreading wildly over the interwebs. It is nice to see that people like it, but none the less it is a violation of the copyrighted work. I think I would've been OK with it if they had given me credit, and linked to me.

I have sent in a DMCA takedown notice, is there anything else I can do?

Raj_55555 · Jan 29, 2015

Practically speaking, there's little you can do and even if you could I doubt it'd be worth it.

I know it sucks to not get credit for your work, but I'd say send the 9gagger a message asking him to update his post with the credits, most would be happy to comply. In my experience, most people don't even realize that copying photographs over the internet is illegal.

snowbear · Jan 29, 2015

I would first check with the copyright laws of Norway; they may be specific in what you can do.

sm4him · Jan 29, 2015

^What Raj said.
You might also TRY to do a little damage control by finding any instances of it you can and commenting that it's your photo. "Thank you all for the kind words about this photo. The photo credit seems to be missing; I took this on....." and so forth.

Question: Where did you first post this online? On reddit? IMO, posting a photo on reddit is practically asking for it to get used over and over without permission. Seems like it happens a LOT there.
But the truth is, any time you post a photo on the internet, this is a possibility. You can either:

1. Not post things on the internet.
2. Watermark your images. This will do absolutely nothing to keep it from being taken by those dishonest enough to do so, but it WILL at least provide a very EASY way for people who WANT to give the photographer credit the means to do so.
3. Upload only extremely low-res, smallish photos. They will still be stolen, but at least it will (somewhat) minimize what they can actually DO with the photo.

TordFuglstad · Jan 29, 2015

Thank you guys. I will look into what I can do.

Something good in all this is that I have this photo on 500px and it seems to be getting som attention there as well.
My all time highest pulse at 96.8!

KmH · Jan 29, 2015

If you put a photo online, expect it to be stolen.

Image theft is rampant on the Internet, because as Raj points out most people have no clue they are stealing someone else's property.
Help I've Been Infringed Photo Attorney - compare to copyright law in Norway.
Five Things You Can Do to Protect Your Online Images Photo Attorney
Norway has been a signatory of the Berne Convention since April 13, 1896 - Treaties and Contracting Parties

TordFuglstad · Jan 30, 2015

So both 9gag and imgur took down the photos after my request. Thanks to froknowsphoto, which used to be educational, for teaching me to put copyright info in the metadata way back.

runnah · Jan 30, 2015

p.s. best name ever.

Buckster · Jan 30, 2015

Common Internet Response said:
If you put a photo online, expect it to be stolen.

Just don't confuse "expect it" with, "learn to accept it."

vintagesnaps · Jan 30, 2015

Read the Terms & Conditions on a website - some state that by signing up to use the site you're agreeing to their terms. Those may include that you've agreed to allow redistribution, or may allow usage by third parties, etc. etc. without the site having to notify or compensate you.

I'd think about where you're putting your photos and why you're posting them on a particular site; who is able to see your pictures and who has access to them?