Ebay member using my pics....without permission!!

[pistacio]

Well, I was browsing Ebay when I stumbled upon a listing for a rear lip for a 2nd gen Acura TL with a pic of my TL!! I was surprised and flattered at first, but then my attitude soured. What right does this person have to use my pic to promote/advertise their product!?! Should I get compensated for this? I haven't sent the seller a message yet because I want to plan my course of action after I do some research. What do y'all have to say? Am I over reacting?

links to the listings:

my vehicle shown

another with my TL

Thanks all

[Geekster]

Are those you watermarks? If they are I would get in touch with Ebay and the seller. You will have to produce proof that they are your watermarks, (should be a code created by your software & stored on your computer), to prove it. So yeah, that's infringement & if you are the legal owner of those pictures, you should create a fuss.

[Der Alta]

I'd find some nasty porn, and swap the pics on your server. If he's pulling from your server, he'll learn a very quick lesson. I've done that with people that have posted images in forums using my image from my server.

If you posted those pics in an open forum, and he's copied them, your only option is to go through ebay. I don't think they'll get involved though.

[Geekster]

"I'd find some nasty porn, and swap the pics on your server. If he's pulling from your server, he'll learn a very quick lesson. I've done that with people that have posted images in forums using my image from my server." quote

HAHAHAHAHA!!! That's funny. And it would teach the "seller" a lesson, wouldn't it? In my opinion it's just rude to do that, if not un-ethical. Good thing to keep in mind, may need it someday. But I hope I don't.

[Der Alta]

Rude to switch the image, or rude to steal others images and bandwidth?

[Geekster]

Originally Posted by Der Alta

Rude to switch the image, or rude to steal others images and bandwidth?

Switching pictures = funny
Rude that the "seller" stole his pictures/bandwidth and had the nerve to post them on the web/ebay.
I wasn't very clear, was I? It made sense in my head as I was typing it. Thinking too many things all at once, again. *sigh*

[rudeboy]

i say let's round up the EQ posse and go mess up that guy..

who's with me ? :}

seriously, it's not decent of him/her.. if or if not it's illegal i don't know enough of the law (or lack there of)

[pistacio]

Thanks for the responses.

I already looked into the "switch up" on the pictures, LOL. No can do, the pics were saved on his end then uploaded to ebay. Would be an excellent gag though.

Apparently ANY picture or material posted online is automatically protected under Copyright laws known as "intellectual property". Lots of good info here: http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/04...-your-content/ in case anyone is interested.

I'm mostly flattered by the use of my pics, but I was just worried about the possibility of my reputation being destroyed. If the seller has faulty products, or is a scam artist, I (owner of the pictured vehicle) look like the bad guy. This seller doesn't even have pics of the actual products on his listings (3 of them using my pics)!!!

I don't mind if someone downloads my pics to view and admire, but to promote themselves or defame my character....NO!

As far as Ebay policy goes, it is stated in their "rules for sellers" that any material used without permission on a listing could cause the listing to be removed and/or the account to be suspended without notice due to the "intellectual property" thing....don't qoute my exact words on that, I read it quickly.

Anyway, a message has been sent to the seller (not Ebay...yet) in a professional manner advising him of what he has done and my stance on the subject....we'll see.



Edit: Der Alta, nice sig. I know the 400,000 amateurs bumper-to-bumper experience first-hand.

[j05h86]

Originally Posted by Der Alta

I'd find some nasty porn, and swap the pics on your server. If he's pulling from your server, he'll learn a very quick lesson. I've done that with people that have posted images in forums using my image from my server.

If you posted those pics in an open forum, and he's copied them, your only option is to go through ebay. I don't think they'll get involved though.

lol love the idea lmao. i'll have to remember that if this happens to me.

[MattB]

I dont want to sound rude here, but I do think you may be overreacting. There's nothing there that would identify you as the owner of the car, so you wouldnt be the "bad guy" if the sale goes bad. I would be pretty happy that they liked your car enough to use it. I would also start to watermark my photos that I post on the web from now on.