Jump to content

Using watermarked pictures in cache listing


NoffAnn

Recommended Posts

Hello!

Sometimes when I see geocaches' listings I can find stock images with watermarks put into the descripton. I wonder if it is okay. Well, it is not commercial use howewer isn't it advertising the image bank?

Not to mention that it looks so unprofessional...

What are your thoughts?

Link to comment

I've used my own images, except for icons/banners used with permission. The EarthCache guidelines specifically tell owners not to copy content (text or images) from other sources, but to create their own content (their own words, their own images).

Link to comment
1 hour ago, NoffAnn said:

Hello!

Sometimes when I see geocaches' listings I can find stock images with watermarks put into the descripton. I wonder if it is okay. Well, it is not commercial use howewer isn't it advertising the image bank?

Not to mention that it looks so unprofessional...

What are your thoughts?

That the person who put the image up is breaking copyright and ripping off the photographer.

 

I agree that it also looks poor, but primarily it's a clear copyright violation - one that could be costly for either the cache owner or, I guess, Groundspeak.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment

I could be wrong, but I believe it's ok to use watermarked images - that keeps the rights with the holder - but it'd be illegal (to whatever extent) to remove the watermark and use the image. Especially without attribution. Mainly because the downfall is if you use an image with a watermark, well, you include someone else's logo in your creative work. The price you pay for not paying the price. :P

But IANAL, so I don't know if laws regarding that differ from place to place or source to source. You could check with the rights holder to find out what uses are permitted with the watermark included.

Link to comment

Using commercial (stock) images without paying a licensing fee is not legal.  You can be sued.  I know.  My sister was sued for inadvertently using a copyrighted stock image on her blog.  Having the watermark present means that you knew it was copyrighted when you used it, which means you would have no defense.

 

Just don't do it.  Groundspeak should not allow it, but there are reasons why they might choose not to police the images, as that could make them liable.

  • Upvote 3
  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
2 hours ago, NoffAnn said:

Sometimes when I see geocaches' listings I can find stock images with watermarks put into the descripton. I wonder if it is okay.

 

The idea of the watermark is just to tell that it is no ok to use. Image banks are not expensive when you need an image to a non commercial purpose. I have paid for many images and got versions without watermarks for my cache pages.

 

13 minutes ago, fizzymagic said:

Groundspeak should not allow it, but there are reasons why they might choose not to police the images, as that could make them liable. 

 

The liability issue is somehow problematic as cache pages are reviewed by a voluntary Groundspeak representative. Watermarked image is clearly a copyright infringement.

Link to comment

Some image hosting sites (mostly the free ones) will add a watermark to attract more people to that site. That doesn't necessarily say that the images are not owned by the CO or whomever is posting the picture.

 

But I guess that opens another can of worms regarding the advertising of image hosting sites by watermark on GS sites.

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
1 hour ago, NoffAnn said:

I just wanted to know if I'm not to harsh when I criticise owners for using stock photos.

 

Well if they have the right to use the stock photos, then they can. I suppose it's best not to assume they don't have that usage right.  Let that decision be up to reviewers/HQ, and the owner's conscience.

Link to comment
15 hours ago, South_Stander said:

Some image hosting sites (mostly the free ones) will add a watermark to attract more people to that site. That doesn't necessarily say that the images are not owned by the CO or whomever is posting the picture.

 

 

Don't use free image-hosting sites.  Period.  They have been nothing but trouble when used on cache pages. 

 

If you want to have images on our cache page, then either have them hosted by Groundspeak or host them yourself.  There is no excuse for using a "free" hosting service.  Even for puzzle caches where the image must remain unchanged.  If you want to create a puzzle like that, then host the image yourself.  Web hosting is not expensive.

  • Upvote 2
  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
9 minutes ago, fizzymagic said:

host the image yourself.  Web hosting is not expensive.

 

And you don't even have to have a website designed. Just have a domain name with hosting where you can upload a file, then link directly to it.

www.mywebsite.com

upload myimage.jpg to the root folder

Done: www.mywebsite.com/myimage.jpg

Many hosts have cheap plans for as little as a couple $ a month, and that comes with oodles of other features you can choose to use if you like.

 

...just keep in mind if you're doing your own image management not to, for instance, directly link to a 6MB image on a cache page as a thumbnail. Resize and optimize your image for its intended purpose - uploading to the listing gallery lets gc.com provide a reasonably sized image for linking, but if you do your own images that won't happen for you

Edited by thebruce0
Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...