Photo Hosting Service Question

[pikers]

Hi all,

I’m sort of new to this whole online photo hosting thing and I had a few general questions. Can anyone answer the following…

1. If I post photos to Picasa or Flickr, do these sites obtain the rights to my photos? I don’t want to post my pics just to have someone go ahead and steal them from me.
2. If the above is true, can anyone recommend a site that will not take over the rights to my photos?

Please forgive me if this question has already been brought up before.

Thanks!

[Nathan deGargoyle]

No they don't obtain the rights but while they are hosting your photos they reserve the right to use them for promoting the site. They can't sell your photos or licence them for other users.

[Nicole]

Except for Photobucket, which will can sell your photos for cell phone wallpapers for $2 a piece and you don't see a cent of it.

Neither Flickr nor Picasa does that. Although I should say that once a photo is online, there isn't actually anything that will 100% prevent people from stealing it.

[pikers]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Although I should say that once a photo is online, there isn't actually anything that will 100% prevent people from stealing it.

Yeah, I've thought of that too. Thanks for the feedback all!

[dcclark]

In general, I wouldn't worry too much about stealing. If you are worried, watermark yoru photos, only post small versions, etc. -- that still won't stop someone from taking a screenshot for their own use, but it will keep a lid on most distribution.