One rule for some, another rule for others

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   Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years ago

   My understanding of the HP TOS when it comes to images, is that watermarks and memes are a no go. Why then, do I constantly see both. It even happens on Editor's Choice Hubs and Hubs of the Day.
   When are the HP rules and TOS going to be applied evenly and fairly across the board?

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      Jodahposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I have noticed a few. I don't know if they are very strict on policing, though I did see a post saying that if we saw any watermarked images on hubs that we should "report" it.

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   calculus-geometryposted 8 years ago

   Could you please link to some examples? I'm curious to see.

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      Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      See today's Hub of the Day for starters, or this one... http://hubpages.com/community/forum/134 … y-new-year
      http://hubpages.com/literature/Gods-Pri … Princesses

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         Jodahposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I can't see any watermarks in today's Hub of the Day.

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            Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            The main photo has text emblazoned on it. Doesn't that count? If not I apologize.
            Book covers for reviews are another matter.

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               Jodahposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               No that doesn't count. You are allowed to place text on photos yourself with many programs available out there, especially to make them Pinterest friendly. Only watermarks linking photos to a certain website or company, (usually a sample pic that you are meant to pay for the unwatermarked copy).

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                  Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  I apologize for that one. There are still plenty that I see with watermarks and memes. Some memes I have reported have even had the f bomb on them.

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            Sherry Hewinsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Actually, that photo of the boy with the watering can does have the dreamstime watermark. The photo is not legal to use unless they bought it, in that case they should have a clean copy.

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               Jodahposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Yes that one is watermarked and illegal. It isn't on the Hub of the Day though.

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   Marisa Wrightposted 8 years ago

   It's like littering in the real world - it's illegal, but the police don't have enough resources to police it properly, they're too busy with more important things.
   
   HubPages were far more fussy about this at one time, it seems to have gone right down the list of their priorities.   You're right, I see lots of Hubs getting through with illegal photos.  Just keep reporting them.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I will add here that even though people do use illegal photos, they take the chance of being sued personally, and this does happen.  Illegal use of photos is theft, and the fines can be hefty.  It's just not worth the risk, even though it is small.

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   psycheskinnerposted 8 years ago

   I am not aware of any rule against memes. I have at least one featured hub actually on the subject of memes

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   Barbara Kayposted 8 years ago

   I think we still have writers at Hubpages that still don't understand that photos can't be copied.

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   Lipnancyposted 8 years ago

   Stupid question, if you are reading a hub, How can you tell if the photo is illegal?

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      psycheskinnerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You can't always tell for sure but a stock agency watermark means the photo is certainly not permitted for reuse.

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