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Local copyright issue

Forum|Forum|21 days ago
June 20, 2026
7 replies
75 views

As a contributer I have according to Adobe respect the local copyright laws for my photos. However when I do so often my works are refused because of Copyrights according to North Ameria by your AI tool (I suppose)

In The Netherlands the law says:

Building from the public road

Permitted: According to Article 18 of the Copyright Act (freedom of panorama), you may photograph buildings and works of art permanently placed in public space without disturbance.

Condition: This applies only if the building is visible from the public road (for example, from a sidewalk or street).

In the Netherlands, copyright lasts until 70 years after the death of the architect.

Is it possible fot Adobe to respect le local copyright laws so my work isn't rejected by your AI?

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards

Fred Bervoets

Correct answer RALPH_L

There is for IP refusal no AI tool. Human moderators make the decision. The decision for buildings and other property protected by IP issues is simple. It must be photographed from a public place, such as a sidewalk, and may not be the main subject of the photo. A general rule-of-thumb is: “the property must be less than 30% of the photo and the removal of the property does not drastically change the motive of the photo”. See the example below. By the way, this also pertains to European law. An example is the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.

Not allowed because the European Central Bank is the main subject.

Is allowed because the European Central Bank is only a small part of the panorama view.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

If your content qualifies as Illustrative Editorial, that might be a submission option to consider. But Illustrative Editorial content cannot be used for commercial purposes. It’s for Editorial Use Only.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

daniellei4510

Community Expert

“Is it possible fot Adobe to respect le local copyright laws so my work isn't rejected by your AI?”

There is nothing to prevent, say, a U.S. resident from purchasing and using one of your assets in the U.S. when it might contain a logo that has a presence in other countries.

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Adobe is a global asset service and must respect Commercial Copyright, Trademark & Privacy laws on all continents.

Familiarize yourself with these important sections in your Contributor User Guide.

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/submit-your-content/submit-photos/technical-legal-requirements-photo-submission.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/stock/contributor/help/ip-guidelines.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/stock/contributor/help/known-image-restrictions.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/stock/contributor/help/updated-artist-name-guidelines.html

Hope that helps.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

ZALEZPHOTO

Legend

Fred, I’m firmly convinced Adobe’s moderators are using AI to help identify copyright or proprietary location violations. Even the tiniest brand or name signage in your picture will trigger a rejection. I suggest you make a habit of looking at every centimeter of your photos where there could be signs that will flag your shots.

No, you generally do not need a property release if the photo is a broad, panoramic downtown cityscape where no single building serves as the central focal point

But there are exceptions That Will Require a Release:

Single Building Focus: You isolated or singled out one specific, unique building as the main subject of your photograph.

Known Image Restrictions: Certain famous architectural landmarks.

Public Art and Installations: If a prominent modern sculpture, fountain, mural, or street art.. and that even includes some grafitti.

The great thing is with AI tools you can remove this quickly. I prefer using Photoshop tools instead of Lightroom, since often I see scars that look abnormal and will prompt a rejection.

I hope this helps you next time!

Cheers!

ZALEZPHOTO

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

I’m firmly convinced Adobe’s moderators are using AI to help identify copyright or proprietary location violations.

==========

I have no facts to support this theory.

This is what we do know:

Human Reviewers make final decisions.
Stock provides no appeals process for contesting Reviewers’ decisions.
All you can do is re-submit with a signed Property Release or remove the IP violations.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

daniellei4510

Community Expert

Even if the image is more panoramic in nature, identifiable logos or company names need to be removed in order to have assets accepted without a property release. Same with license plates on automobiles out of privacy concerns.

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.

yamato713108855

Community Expert

Adobe Stock's rules state the following:

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/content-policies-guidelines/model-property-releases/property-release-overview.html

Identifiable buildings and landmark buildings require permission from the owner.

You cannot sell them without the owner's permission.

RALPH_L

Correct answer

Community Expert

There is for IP refusal no AI tool. Human moderators make the decision. The decision for buildings and other property protected by IP issues is simple. It must be photographed from a public place, such as a sidewalk, and may not be the main subject of the photo. A general rule-of-thumb is: “the property must be less than 30% of the photo and the removal of the property does not drastically change the motive of the photo”. See the example below. By the way, this also pertains to European law. An example is the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.

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