Skip to main content
B
bodywise02
Known Participant
February 18, 2025
Question

intellectual property issues

  • February 18, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 1312 views

There is an increasing problem with Adobe labeling various image as intellectual property.  This is designed to protect Adobe and not us.

 

I have one image that has been rejected twice.  Labeled as IP violation.  I even communicated with the originator of the piece (stained-glass) and they assured me there is no copyright assertion or filing.

 

It is only one image.  But an increasing problem as everyone claims copyright to everything today.

5 replies

O
oleschwander
Legend
February 19, 2025

Where did you shoot the image?

Abambo
Community Expert
AbamboCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 19, 2025
quote

Where did you shoot the image?


By @oleschwander

For the IP question is this irrelevant, but if you read the discussion flow, you will learn that too. https://community.adobe.com/t5/stock-contributors-discussions/intellectual-property-issues/m-p/15162764#M98096

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 19, 2025

The Stock Reviewer is correct. This is an IP violation.

 

Objects of art require written permission from the artist(s) and/or entities that own the rights to it.  It's one thing to snap a picture for personal use & hang it on your wall. It's quite another to use the artwork for commercial purposes. You can't do that without legal clarity.

 

If there was a main subject in the foreground and a small portion of this was in the background, you might get away with it.  But that's not what you have here.  Sorry.

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Jill_C
    Community Expert
    Jill_CCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 18, 2025

    Read the  U.S. copyright info here:

    What is Copyright? | U.S. Copyright Office

    Jill C., Forum Volunteer
    B
    bodywise02Author
    Known Participant
    February 18, 2025

    Thank you for the citation.  Unfortunately, you need to be an IP lawyer to really understand all the implications.

    Abambo
    Community Expert
    AbamboCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 18, 2025
    quote

    Thank you for the citation.  Unfortunately, you need to be an IP lawyer to really understand all the implications.


    By @bodywise02


    That's why Adobe is asking for a property release. And for your example, exactly for your example, how would Adobe know that the stained-glass is free of copyright claims.

     

    Incidentally: I'm not a lawyer, English is not my first language, and even so, I do normally not have an issue with legal texts. This isn't even legal text, but a simple explanation of what copyright is. Get your release signed and they will accept your asset (on the IP basis).

    ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
      Jill_C
      Community Expert
      Jill_CCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 18, 2025

      Copyright does not have to be "claimed" to be in force. Everyone automatically owns copyright to the images they take with their camera, the artworks (such as stained glass) that they create, and other creative works. Even graffiti "artists" can claim copyright on their spray-painted "art". The only way for the Adobe Moderators to know that a copyright owner has approved your use of their work(s) commercially is for you to obtain a Product Release. Lacking that Release, all artistic works are going to be rejected.

      Jill C., Forum Volunteer
      B
      bodywise02Author
      Known Participant
      February 18, 2025

      Copyright is out of control.  If you take a picture of a cityscape, but there is a sign with Coca Cola or Acme Iron works, they now claim you must get a release.  What about taking photos of graffiti.  Now, what if you take photos of any block of buildings.  Even taking photos of crowds of people in a protest march.  How do you get a release? 

       

      My son sold an image of Carnegie Deli many years ago.  Today, he would be prohibited.  Copyright is out of control.  And BTW does that protect all of us who are contributing?    Pebble Beach claim they own rights to the famous Lone Cypress.  But it is unenforceable.

      B
      bodywise02Author
      Known Participant
      February 18, 2025
      quote

      Copyright is out of control. 


      By @bodywise02

      Correct. People are copying my work and using it in PowerPoint presentations, with the Adobe watermark in.

       

      The one creating the stained-glass window has the copyright on those. Even the owners of the artwork can't give you a release, without having the written consent of the creator.


      Well, finally someone who agrees.  Just wait until you get slammed by PicRights and you understand, the copyright issue is now a fruitful landscape for ambulance chasing lawyers.   I repeat the issue of cityscapes with recognizable signage.  The Golden Gate Bridge.  The Empire State building.  Anyone's recognizable "street house property."  Any famous restaurant. 

      The image in question was taken from a church.  Who made that?  Then installed in a famous Santa Cruz landmark which was destroyed by the 1989 quake.  Then demolished.  You see the chain of command?   In the end, this is not a protection of you, the adobe contributor. 

      daniellei4510
      Community Expert
      daniellei4510Community Expert
      Community Expert
      February 18, 2025

      If you are in contact with the artist of the stained-glass, I would think they would be willing to sign a property release. 

      Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices