US and Canada

Copyright

Our store is connected to the image bank Dreamstime as an API partner. This means that we have the right to display all images (with a Commercial license posted in Dreamstime) which are targeted for review (with water marks) and for sale under a Partnership agreement when receiving an API access. We are the official partners of Dreamstime. At Dreamstime’s request, the phrase «powered by Dreamstime» is placed at the bottom of each page.

Upon registration, each photographer accepts Dreamstime’s terms of use. One of such terms is (quote): «The Photographer hereby grants Dreamstime a non-exclusive license to post the Image on its web site and to deliver it to its audience, affiliates or other representatives, through different media channels, and further grants Dreamstime and its representatives the right to sublicense the Image to their clients in accordance with the terms of the Dreamstime Royalty-Free License Agreement, a copy of which the Photographer acknowledges reviewing and agreeing to.»

This means that during registration, the photographer consents to the placement and sale of his photos through a network of partners and representatives.

There are many sites that sell photos from various image banks through API to help photographers make more money. Working with affiliate networks allow photographers to sell more photos and thus earn more money; this is precisely their aim when placing photos.

When buying any poster, the buyer automatically becomes the owner of the Royalty Free license to the image and gives it to us for printing. Since most of our clients are absolutely not interested in the nuances of copyright ownership and all they need is to get a ready-to-use poster, this process is usually hidden from the clients and we buy the image ourselves and print it out.

However, nothing prevents the client from personally going to the image bank, purchasing an image, uploading it to the site, configuring the poster to the desired size and shape, then printing it out.

It is also worth noting that we do not need an extended license in this case because we do not become license holders. Any copy of an image cannot be used again for a different client — the image will have to be bought again. Here is the official position of the image bank on this issue:

«In order to use the images, you need to download them under the Print extended license P-EL. One P-EL allows you to use any file licensed as such for up to 10,000 printed copies. If you exceed this amount, you need to buy the license again. One P-EL costs 50 credits but depending on the number of licenses/images purchased, you can get discounts for the credit package purchased.

Another option would be to integrate our content via the API. If the images are displayed via the API, then the downloads will be made under the standard Royalty free license. Your clients however are license holders and the images downloaded can be used only for their prints on demand. You do not keep any copy of the file and it cannot be used again for a different client without that client downloading the file again.»

This means that when connected as a partner to the image bank, we do not need an extended license because we do not become license holders.

If for any reason you, as the author of a photo, want to remove your photo from this site or any other commercial site, you can change the type of license from Commercial to Editorial and your photo will automatically cease to be displayed. However, note that this will still not stop the selling of your photos with many partners selling the image files through a network of affiliate sites.

If you do not agree with this policy of the image bank, then by the Terms you are required to remove your photos. Once they are removed, they will not be displayed in any site associated with the image bank. This policy applies not only to Dreamstime — other image banks, for example, Fotolia, work under a similar procedure. Each image bank is aimed primarily at increasing sales, so collaboration with partners is one of the priorities. As a result, both the photographers and the image bank earn more. If you still have questions about copyright issues, please contact Dreamstime directly.