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timefreezer · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4

Apparently, editorial images depicting the Olympic Torch Relay are rejected due to organizer restrictions. Oh well. Can anyone enlighten me of this particular rule please?

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 1:49 pm

It would help if we could see the way you titled the image. Shutterstock is very picky about this and if not done exactly as they want it they will reject the image. If you have not seen this perhaps it will help if this is the reason for the rejection.

http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/creating-the-perfect-editorial-caption

timefreezer · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4

Thanks for the link. I had not done my homework before submission, so my caption is likely to have required tweaking, but the rejection reason was specific regarding the organiser's (presumably LOCOG) restrictions.I am surprised if they can impose such restrictions in a public place.

copidosoma · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3773 Location: Canada

Specific events may require credentials to take/use photos. I wouldn't be surprised if the olympics is one of them. The IOC tends to be pretty protective of their brand.

Just because you are at an event doesn't necessarily mean that you can use photos of it commercially (even as editorial).

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 5:58 pm

The restricted image section found in Shutterbuzz lists the Olympic Rings, Torch etc as protected from commercial use. Usually this does not preclude using an image as an Editorial.

There are some items in the restricted that also say that they can be used as editorial on a case by case review. This is not mentioned with the Olympic images.
I did check the database and did find images with the torch and rings already in the database so I am not sure what to tell you.

pjhpix · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 112 Location: Bristol, UK

This has happened to me and it wasn't because my captioning was incorrect.
It is particularly puzzling as there are Olympic images on the database, as Dave noted, and the event is not actually part of the Olympics games themselves (they begin in 7 weeks time). It is just a glorified publicity stunt (and designed to make the games appear 'inclusive' for the general UK populace - the vast majority of whom will only be able to watch them on TV !! ).
Even more intriguing to me is the fact that AL, for example, have taken images of every stage of the torch relay so far from a variety of photographers not all of whom - if any - will have had "credentials" I am sure.
I have informed Support of this and await a response .

timefreezer · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4

Thank you all for your response. I would be interested to hear if support have anything to say regarding this. I have looked at the flow chart and Section 2.4 in the Brand Protection Guidelines posted by London 2012 UK. I am of the opinion that editorial images that are not used for association or advertising, do not infringe The Olympic Symbols etc (Protection) Act 1995.

Mike Price · Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 2919 Location: South Wales

The torch went through my home town yesterday and there are loads of images in the local press, which are presumably editorial. I would be surprised if editorail use of the torch run is restricted. It is not the same as using the rings or logo.

Mike

pjhpix · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 112 Location: Bristol, UK

blinztree · Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 9:29 pm

Mike Price · Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 2919 Location: South Wales

Taken by the local newspaper photographers.

Mike

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3299

cpaulfell · Joined: 07 Dec 2011 Posts: 2410

newsfocus1 · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:59 am

I'm surprised that this topic came to a halt (probaly why I didn't see it until today). This was a major decision by Shutterstock to refuse editorial images taken in public places (obviously, images taken inside the stadium or other venues are a different matter). It looks like even images that were approved have now been removed from the site (image no longer avaiable messages).
I fully accept that it is their agency and it is entirely up to them what they choose to accept but I feel some sort of announcement should have been made. I uploaded editorial Torch Relay images this week only to get the "not approved due to restrictions around 2012 Olympics" rejection. I have emailed support (no reply yet) but then found this thread.
I bet there are still contributors editing and uploading their relay images oblivious of the fact they are wasting their time. Even the restricted images section on Shutterbuzz only refers to commercial use of Olympic images and not editorial.
These editorial images are being accepted at all the other sites, so it would be much appreciated if there could be some official response on this issue. Kind regards, David.