Why do sellers on Ebay steal photos of common coins? Update!
SONOMOSCA
Posts: 423 ✭✭✭
My wife recently listed 3 2017 Congrats sets on Ebay, last night I'm Ebay and noticed someone stole one of her photos.
He blurred out the watermark and made it his main photo. You can see just below the second set where he photoshopped
it. I assume he stole the rest from other Ebay sellers and am thinking he is just to lazy to take his own photos but will
put the effort into doctoring other peoples photos. I can understand when scammers steal pictures of high priced coins
they don't have... but this? Next time the watermark will be better placed.
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UPDATE: I found out who used our photo and I've deleted the Ebay link to his listing because frankly I wasn't out to burn anyone at the stakes, just annoyed that it was done. I actually enjoyed this persons posts. I'm not saying what was done was right and wouldn't do it myself. I've been coming to this forum for years before joining. I come here because i love seeing the coins everyone posts, to read all your stories, and just having a wealth of knowledge here to learn from.
Comments
Just plain lazy or can't take decent images themselves.
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I guess it's just to easy for them to do
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Contact Feebay . they will remove Copyright infractions and give a stellar warning to the offender.
Their listing conditions specifically prohibits such theft. If you took the images, i.e. pushed the shutter button or scanner button, even if you do nott own the camera used, you have the absolute right to the images....unless you divest yourself of these rights in writing. Usually common sense prevails.
I believe that copyright protection is also anchored within the regulations of this forum. So simply downloading pictures posted by others is basically a NO-NO. There are exceptions for certain reasons.
Stock images are often shared on the site.
People are inherently lazy. Some are stupid. Others are practical while some are practically geniuses.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
@YQQ - I agree with you. I would be more upset if it was a high priced graded coin, but it's just a Congrats set. I was just a bit annoyed by it. Still reported it though, didn't call eBay... just through the report item tab.
@Coinstartled - Maybe, but when a watermark has been placed on a photo, that says hands off... to me anyways.
Stock images are NOT free images.
Stock images are often shared on the site whether the originator approves or not.
The OP might not have title to the images.
and yes some images are often shared. Usually these are posted by the owner of these images. or copyright has run its course because the images have become property of the Public Domain. Or the original Owner has given permission to use the images for educational, but not for profit, uses. And yes , stock images are copyright and only licensed to someone for whatever cause.
Our host has very clear regulations about using Images that are copyright. ( pretty well all of them)
It is just that nobody usually cares as in the fewest cases there is no harm meant .
I do have a personal experience involving out host. I had a few images of a Error 10 cent Canadian posted hier to show what can happen when a error occurs. A Canadian writer of errors copied my pix and published them in a Canadian coin publication for profit. I asked our host if they by any chance gave permission to copy my respective property. Never, was the answer. we are clear on the meaning of Copyright and the consequences a infringement can have.. My images had my email address on them in small print.
Copyright infringement can have some serious consequences involving a lot of money.
In the US one can register copyright for an unlimited number, I believe for $ 35 a year. not 100% sure. In other countries it is much more expensive.
HOWEVER, Copyright ( pictors or other "made" items) does NOT have to be registered at all to receive its protection! If there is an argument, the original creator will need to proof original ownership.
Ya people STEAL stuff all the time, I do think the owner approves of the theft tho .......
Somewhere in the fine print of Ebay, by default, you agree that the pictures you upload can be added to the pool of stock images available for anybody to use when selling a similar item. It's very possible the software also automatically removes any watermarks added by the previous seller. A seller can opt out of allowing their images to be shared if they're able to located the option in their settings. This won't stop somebody from just right clicking your image and copying it to use themselves, but this isn't the same as selecting a stock image from the ebay files.
Account-Site Preferences-Seller Preferences-Share Your Photos
Photos that I upload on eBay for my listings can be added to eBay product catalogs and other product sections.
@KbKards - Found it. I was unaware of that option and changed the setting. Thanks!
Some are to lazy, some cannot take photo's....some are scammers... There are many reasons... however, IMO, it is all theft.... Cheers, RickO
Ebay webpage for specifically reporting theft of listing content or photos
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
@derryb - Looks like some useful information. Thanks!
Not quite to the point, but I had a seller who didn't bother to copy some maker's mark images on my silver site, but just used the link addresses in his auctions. When a friend pointed it out, I changed the image names and the link codes on my pages, then uploaded some explicit porn shots with the old names. The auctions ran a few hours before they all got killed. The seller sent me a very nasty and threatening email -- couldn't understand why I would be so mean, he had a perfect right to do it, would be getting even soon, etc. Ebay banned him the next morning.
I listed a graphing calculator for sale yesterday, I entered in the model # and a picture popped up.... Not the right color calculator but everything else was right.... Don't know where eBay got that image but I deleted it and inserted mine.
Successful trades.... MichaelDixon,
UPDATE AT THE TOP!
I'm no PCGS expert but I'd grade those men as very fine..
re: graphic calculator images
Ebay keeps stock images which are in the "puplic" domain. you must have had the model number in your ad.
it is perfectly fine to use these. there is a long explanation what constitutes "public" domain.
I have a current situation which involves another Forum and ebay.
in short: I had my own images on Ebay on a post. My images are ummistakable. a forum member of another Forum complained to ebay and suggested the coin imaged is a fake. He lifted my photos and posted these in that other forum with negative and derogatory untrue remarks.
Fact is, the coin is very much authentic. Copyright is very clear on this and Ebay forbids "copy and use" from listings. I Do not know yet, it is to early yet, but I might elevate this to another level.
So, it was a board member? And, after all the threads like this one over the years (usually 2-3 a year, at a minimum, about people "stealing" ebay images......)
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment