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Author Topic: Dreamstime Revealing Contributors' Real Names and Location on the Website  (Read 18099 times)

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« on: September 23, 2016, 08:04 »
+3
https://www.dreamstime.com/thread_45679

For now, it doesn't affect all contributors but only' test rabbits' (who were not informed or asked for permission before).
They claim it will improve the sales, because some buyers have allegedly complained that they can't see the real names and locations of the copyright holders.

For crying out loud, no other major microstock site does it, so how can it improve sales?
I think some lawyers must teach these guys the hard way why the right to privacy matters, because they apparently don't get it.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2016, 08:10 by LDV81 »


« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2016, 08:35 »
+8
A lot of agency list my name under the copyright. It doesn't seem like anything new. It would be annoying if they showed my address or phone number, but name and location seems like good basic info to have.

« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2016, 08:47 »
+7
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all. 

« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2016, 09:00 »
+5
A lot of agency list my name under the copyright. It doesn't seem like anything new. It would be annoying if they showed my address or phone number, but name and location seems like good basic info to have.

They show it because you chose to show it. Every other major site has an option to show only the username and not the identity. Many people have legitimate reasons not to reveal their identity on microstock sites.

« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2016, 09:01 »
+17
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2016, 09:23 »
+5
I remember one photographer which after similar but accidental case stopped all stock activities. He was threatened to loose a day time job. In my case during interview for a contracting i was requested to shut down all online shops and portfolios. If for me it was a condition for future contract, for him it was a consequence of HR research about him.

« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2016, 09:24 »
+2
Boy, that's a slippery slope with copyright ownership.  No one wants DT to claim ownership but if it's up for sale by Shutterbug1973 the pseudonym isn't the owner either.

« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2016, 09:51 »
+4
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

Just to play devil's advocate here... Does an agency have more responsibility to help someone maintain some sort of subterfuge or to be more transparent about the people/businesses that provide artwork to their company?

« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2016, 10:27 »
+6
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

Just to play devil's advocate here... Does an agency have more responsibility to help someone maintain some sort of subterfuge or to be more transparent about the people/businesses that provide artwork to their company?

This is absolute nonsense. The agency knows exactly who the image supplier is, they can request a copy of the ID, whatever. If the buyer has important reasons to know who the copyright holder is, they can contact the agency and ask for this info. They buyers enter a contractual agreement with the agency, not with the contributors.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2016, 11:15 »
+1
I thought they all did it. I keep finding my work attributed "copyright My Real Name/ Agency Name" even for agencies where I have a different username.

You are the copyright holder so expect to have to inform your buyer who you are when licencing your work.

« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2016, 11:59 »
+2
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

Just to play devil's advocate here... Does an agency have more responsibility to help someone maintain some sort of subterfuge or to be more transparent about the people/businesses that provide artwork to their company?

This is absolute nonsense. The agency knows exactly who the image supplier is, they can request a copy of the ID, whatever. If the buyer has important reasons to know who the copyright holder is, they can contact the agency and ask for this info. They buyers enter a contractual agreement with the agency, not with the contributors.

That's what transparency is though. It's letting buyers know without having to ask because they can already see it.

« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2016, 12:12 »
+11
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

Just to play devil's advocate here... Does an agency have more responsibility to help someone maintain some sort of subterfuge or to be more transparent about the people/businesses that provide artwork to their company?

This is absolute nonsense. The agency knows exactly who the image supplier is, they can request a copy of the ID, whatever. If the buyer has important reasons to know who the copyright holder is, they can contact the agency and ask for this info. They buyers enter a contractual agreement with the agency, not with the contributors.

That's what transparency is though. It's letting buyers know without having to ask because they can already see it.

In that case I want to know who buys my images and where they live, so that I can monitor if their usage complies with the license conditions. Will DT reveal this info? I don't think so.

« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2016, 12:36 »
0
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

Just to play devil's advocate here... Does an agency have more responsibility to help someone maintain some sort of subterfuge or to be more transparent about the people/businesses that provide artwork to their company?

This is absolute nonsense. The agency knows exactly who the image supplier is, they can request a copy of the ID, whatever. If the buyer has important reasons to know who the copyright holder is, they can contact the agency and ask for this info. They buyers enter a contractual agreement with the agency, not with the contributors.

That's what transparency is though. It's letting buyers know without having to ask because they can already see it.

In that case I want to know who buys my images and where they live, so that I can monitor if their usage complies with the license conditions. Will DT reveal this info? I don't think so.

You probably could, but you typically have to buy that type of private customer information.  ;D

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #13 on: September 23, 2016, 12:48 »
+2
Sellers have proven they can't be trusted with that info. by bothering buyers. It's what you get when you crowd source content.

« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2016, 13:02 »
+7
Sellers have proven they can't be trusted with that info. by bothering buyers. It's what you get when you crowd source content.

Oh, but revealing the contributor's identity to the whole world, including all the world's scammers and crooks is OK? Some people have been uploading pictures of their kids and kids of their friends, on the assumption that their identity is not revealed to the whole world. And now what, a few fussy buyers complained and DT revealed this information, just like this, without any warning or permission from the affected contributors.

If the buyers have problems with trustworthiness, then it is a problem of the agency, not the contributors. After this stunt I lost my trust in DT.

If a buyer doesn't like the fact that some contributors don't show their identity, very well. They can go to FT, SS, IS, 123. Oh, these agencies also have a privacy option... But somehow only DT buyers have a problem with that. Therefore it is the agency's problem. 

« Reply #15 on: September 23, 2016, 13:10 »
+2
If the buyers have problems with trustworthiness, then it is a problem of the agency, not the contributors. After this stunt I lost my trust in DT.

That's what it usually boils down to in the end though. Contributors aren't particularly important. They can always find more.

« Reply #16 on: September 23, 2016, 14:22 »
+4
I don't get it. Why would buyer need contributors' name? I thought they only care for image, that they need. Why would they care, who is owner of the file? It makes no sense...

I think there's something else behind this, maybe they want to go around agency and buy directly from contributor?

« Reply #17 on: September 23, 2016, 16:36 »
+1
A valid point was made in their forum - the "confidential info" label is the real problem and they could easily allow a display name and country like everyone else.  The other downside of confidentiality is that you can't search for someone's port using his name.

« Reply #18 on: September 23, 2016, 17:48 »
+5
I would like to have my business contact information widely available.   It's my business, after all.

Some people have also businesses in other fields and might not want to be associated with the micros.

Just to play devil's advocate here... Does an agency have more responsibility to help someone maintain some sort of subterfuge or to be more transparent about the people/businesses that provide artwork to their company?

Ridiculous!  If you have photos of models, especially kids in your port, why would you want your location available?   Not hard to go from where the studio is to be able to find the models.

I don't mind my name being used.  It is my address, even as little as the city,  that is an issue.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2016, 17:53 by PixelBytes »

« Reply #19 on: September 23, 2016, 20:31 »
+1
 IM FEELING ABSOLUTELY UNCONFORTABLE BEING ASSOCIATED WITH A COMPANY GIVING AWAY IMAGES SO CHEAP!
How to explain this to clients?

Since 2012 theres only one way on DT, the way down, and i dont think DT gonna pay my bills in the future.
Iwould have no problem if a buyer requests my identity, and of course, i get his data in this case.

The shady thing here is the total lack of control on my side, not the on the buyers one.

DT should remove confidential and then concentrate on advertising and repairing the search engine.



ps:
"Lets see, mh, contibutor is in xy, we are on the other side of this planet, mh, guess what, i think we dont need an EL"


« Reply #20 on: September 24, 2016, 17:06 »
+2
Now how difficult can be for a hacker to find out all information about anyone, phone number..... when your name, country and city is publicly displayed? How can it be helpful for buyers if they know my exact location? Is this some kind of discrimination?
They should remove the text itself (confidential info) and let people choose what they want.
This comes after Facebook blocked millions of users and they ask a copy of a governmental ID to unblock them.
Unbelievable, and some of you still believe that this is done in good faith.

Please keep us informed if anything happens. I have nothing to hide but I can't stand to be pressed, especially not form people who make their money from my work. I will close my account on DT the moment they force me, they are not worth it anyway.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2016, 17:19 by Dodie »

« Reply #21 on: September 25, 2016, 02:34 »
+3
Out of curiosity do we know the names of the Directors and location of their homes?

« Reply #22 on: September 25, 2016, 02:37 »
+2
Dreastime is dying and is looking for ( ridiculous)ways to survive.
Who thinks that Giving contributor name will change something ?!
Aren't there more important problems to solve ?



« Reply #23 on: September 25, 2016, 03:36 »
+2
Now how difficult can be for a hacker to find out all information about anyone, phone number..... when your name, country and city is publicly displayed? How can it be helpful for buyers if they know my exact location? Is this some kind of discrimination?
They should remove the text itself (confidential info) and let people choose what they want.
This comes after Facebook blocked millions of users and they ask a copy of a governmental ID to unblock them.
Unbelievable, and some of you still believe that this is done in good faith.

Please keep us informed if anything happens. I have nothing to hide but I can't stand to be pressed, especially not form people who make their money from my work. I will close my account on DT the moment they force me, they are not worth it anyway.

I agree. It's just one part of the puzzle how contributors are treated by agencies.

The point IMHO is not the brought question disclosure of personal data or not but the attempt of an agency to take away the inherent right to every single person to decide him-/herself where to publish personal data. It's a No-Go that an agency publishes full names and home location to people (buyers) we even have not the slightest clue about. That's absolutely not acceptable.

BTW in Germany we have the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (Law to protect personal data). It might be one of the most severe laws in this field. It's simply unlawful to disclose any information without the written permission of the person.

Anyway if an agency seems to be dying it seems to me counterproductive to chase away contributors. Obviously ports had already been deleted.





« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2016, 05:21 »
0
Out of curiosity do we know the names of the Directors and location of their homes?

I understand this is rhetorical question but theirs is as easy to find out as ours.

Serban Enache, CEO and co-founder  - http://blog.digitalmedialicensing.org/?tag=dreamstime
with a little more digging on google, facebook, twitter and telephone companies, you can find out everything you want to know.
location: Bucharest, Romania  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamstime
« Last Edit: September 25, 2016, 05:24 by Dodie »


 

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