Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - is there any point in submitting photos with cars?

ostap · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 20

hi, I have few pics refused recently for copyright issues. one is shot on parking lot from above with hundreds of cars. I was very careful to remove all logos and trademarks but it still got rejected. only reason I can think of is the cars themselves.
Here's another one, also rejected for copyright isssues (there is no logo whatsoever and the vehicle is out-of-production for decades now):

So, should we all forget submitting photos containing cars?

lowellaguno · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:55 am

triceratops · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: The other Nevada

I'd move images such as this to RM agencies. They have a much better handle on what needs releases and what doesn't. And being RM, usually have better control over the ultimate usage. Won't sell as often as on RF, but when it does, the monetary return is usually much better.

lowellaguno · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:55 pm

pcbueg71 · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 201

SS is removing auto images for copyright issues. They just sent me an email after removing my classic car images.

howdy6 · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

I too have many auto photos deleted just recently. Getting much discouraged lately with the stock photo industry. Seems to be much too many copyright rules that is becoming frustrating. Eliminated logos, etc still rejected. Is it work submitting car images anymore ? I know property releases are important but much difficult to obtain especially with security issues now. What do we do ?
Paul[/b]

hhltdave5 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:39 am

mlopes · Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 316 Location: Lisbon

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:40 pm

easyshoot · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 112

it was just a matter of time this would happen. most of the car companys make their design of the cars "secure", so its not enough to remove just the logos. with the new garuanty SS is giving to clients, they have to delete all this kind of photographs.

terifrancis · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 184 Location: New Jersey, USA

First, I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who recently had a car shot "Deleted - per Legal" ... whew, I thought I did something really, REALLY bad!

hhltdave5 ... you are still the voice of reason and good counsel, and as I've often said, the nicest gentleman on the planet. I'm not surprised that SS is taking this precaution -- frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner. There are quite a few car shots that I'd have thought could be trouble ... ie, clearly recognizable trade dress, and even the automaker's name in the image's title.

But I agree with both Mario and Dave that a little head's up notice would have been appreciated ... or in my case, spared me from nearly having a heart attack.

I feel sorry though for the illustrators and shooters who have terrific portfolios with dozens to hundreds of car images. As Mario said, this will not only impact their sales in light of image removal but also in terms of exposure. Looking at it more from the buyer's side though, car images are very much like fashion shots ... they have a fairly short and fixed shelf life before becoming dated. I have no doubt that the serious illustrators and outstanding photographers here will figure out a new trend in delivering marketable concept shots that won't rock the legal boat. At least, I hope so.

Thanks, guys ... I feel much better having read your thoughts. Now, I'll toddle off for dinner -- if I'm gonna have my little heart pounding at 192/bpm, let it be over a big fat hamburger whose name I won't mentioned because it's trademarked rather than that frightful worry of "yikes, what logo did I miss?" : )

nemo1024 · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 105

Hmm... There seems to be a way out of this situation... All photographers need is to create their own designs of cars, make mock-ups of them and shoot those. That way these mock-up will not be trademarked and will have a potential of becoming the most famous cars. This is because a car from say terifrancis would be more known than a car from [name removed for copyright reasons] or a roadster from [name removed for copyright reasons]. It would also outshine the [name removed for copyright reasons]'s 4WD and a bus created by [name removed for copyright reasons]. :)

epixx · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:45 am

They seem to be removing generic vehicles as well. It would be nice if they could publish the new rules before they are implemented, so that we know what we can upload. If cars are problems, I can imagine a lot of other products become problematic as well.

algol · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 105

epixx · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:04 am

If I was the marketing manager of car Brand-X, here's what I would do:

I would contact all stock agencies and allow them to sell any photo of cars Brand-X, trademark and all. My cars would get great exposure, and although not all of that exposure would be positive, most of it would. It would give me a huge free, marketing volume vs. the competition, and it wouldn't cost me a dime. The legal department of the company would protest wildly, but mostly because they would get less work. I would be the winner.

SS could start that process. I would be very surprised if not one or more car manufacturers would be interested.