Head's up to everyone who uses Getty Images

[misslucyjane]

Getty Images is seeking, finding and fining everyone they can who uses unlicenced photos from their site.

If you use stock images from Getty, even the royalty-free section, take them down. If you do not know the source of the stock images it might be wise to take those images down as well.

(Some good alternatives for stock photos are linked here.)

Comments

[mogget_cat]

Ugh, that sucks. *takes down ninety percent of her icons*

And all that photoshopping work gone, too.

[prix-etoile.livejournal.com]

they're not going to fine people using the icons. it's just not going to happen. they'll take it up with LJ first, not the individuals.

[misslucyjane]

True, but: in the thread on Sitepoint, one of the people posting was a webmaster who got zapped because someone on his boards used a Getty image for an avatar. So if you make icons or host icons, this could be an issue.

And I'd rather be safe than sorry, particularly when there are CC sources available.

[wickedtrue.livejournal.com]

*raises hand*

It should also be pointed out: this decision was made six months ago. This is not something new and sudden that everyone needs to change everything their doing this very moment before the scary Getty lawyers come for them in the night.

This is really for things like LARGE photo manipulations or the use of an entire photography.

Also, Getty will not automatically fine someone if they find that someone is using their images. If found, they would do a Cease and Desist, asking the person to take down the image(s), and if this is done in 10 days, the person will not be fined.

Icons shouldn't and aren't that much of a worry. Everyone, relax, it's all gonna be okay. You don't need to dump every one of your icons right this very moment. If you have, say, a gallery of full sized getty stock images, you might want to take that down. But, your icons should be okay. If you want to slowly change it, that would be okay as well.

No idea if crediting Getty for the image is a good idea or not, so I won't say anything about that one. But, this isn't something new or as large of a deal as it appears. Just don't use Getty anymore, I think would be the best idea.

[e-mily.livejournal.com]

Also, Getty will not automatically fine someone if they find that someone is using their images. If found, they would do a Cease and Desist, asking the person to take down the image(s), and if this is done in 10 days, the person will not be fined.

Part of the scare was that Getty WASN'T sending out Cease-and-Desist orders. They're using scare/threat tactics to get the money.

Full-sized galleries, or if you used images on a real website, you should take those down. Icons on LJ aren't enough to worry about.

So yeah. Don't freak out. Just don't use them anymore, like ze Feather said. And if you get a letter, take your images down within ten days and you'll be fine. They can't legally come after you -- they're just bullies.

[viridian.livejournal.com]

Also, I'd say don't link your LJ info to your real name or identity in any way, if you're still very worried about it but don't want to change your icons. It's awfully hard to find out who you are if the journal doesn't have any identifying info.

Look at how many people RP characters belonging to authors renowned for going batshit over fanfic. They can't do anything about it on LJ, because they don't have any way of knowing who you are if you don't use anything connected to your own name to sign up for it.

[lostandalone22.livejournal.com]

What about with paid accounts? You have to use your credit cards. Would that be a way that these folks could get ahold of you?