Why credit and notify?

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Deviation Actions

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Hi all,

It's your friendly neighborhood Photomanipulation and Stock & Resources CVs here, eager to tell you about a problem that has become increasingly common not only in the photomanipulation community, but also in other communities throughout dA. The problem is that people are neglecting to credit AND notify stock providers that they have used their materials.

 

What is the overall rule and guidance about crediting your stock?

If you want to use other people's resources (including but not limited to stock photographs, brushes, and presets), dA requires that you exactly follow the rules of usage that those individuals lay out in their license or stock rules. That invariably means that you must CREDIT them with a link to their homepage at least, and NOTIFY the providers by sending them a link to your deviation, preferrably by note. Some providers require a direct link to the exact image or resource that you used.

 

The key is that you need to do exactly as the resource providers ask you to do when using their resources.

 

This is the case also for stock and resource providers off of dA! You need to make sure they have a License that allows you to use their work to make derivative works (edit, change, alter, etc.). (Look for "License" on the stock site; it should be under "Terms and Conditions" or "About.")

 

For more answers, directly from dA:

FAQ #157: Can I use things created by other people in my submissions?

FAQ #217: What are "Stock and Resources" and can I use them in my submissions?

FAQ #257: What sort of permission do I need to use someone else's work?

FAQ #193: How do I prove that I had permission to use someone's work?

FAQ #557: Can I submit art which I have made using a "base" (or line art) created by someone else?

 

5 reasons it's silly NOT to credit and notify

 

1. It is unethical.

Stock artists put their time, money, and energy into making resources for you to use. The least you can do is say thank-you by following their rules (e.g., crediting and notifying if they so request).

 

2. It is illegal and against dA policy.

Not providing credit is tantamount to theft; the work that the stock provider did is not yours, no matter how much post-work you put into it. Using others' work and not crediting them the way they request to be credited is a copyright law violation and can reported to dA as such. [Note: Using ANYONE'S work without permission, whether you credit them or not, is also a copyright violation.]

 

3. You are missing out on free exposure.

Stock providers and friendly neighborhood photomanipulation CVs like to feature great works in our journals, news articles, groups, and other media. None of us will feature you if you are violating stock providers' terms of use by not crediting them in your artist's statement. Moreover, stock providers like to showcase great pieces of art that use their stock. If you don't tell them about the stock use, it is difficult for them to know about it and therefore to feature you.

 

4. You will not get a DD.

We will not DD pieces that do not abide by stock provider rules, no matter how fantastic the piece is. While we are at it, we would like to point out that we have come across MANY awesome deviations lately that would receive DDs if only they would credit stock providers properly! Some people have lost out on a lot of new watchers and fans, exposure, and excellent feedback because they didn't take the time to link and credit.

 

5. We will come after you.

We will hunt you down and hang you upside down by your toes, then flog you soundly until you agree to give proper credits. Or, we will have the owners of the stock report you and have your work removed as a copyright/permissions violation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Do I need to credit brushes?

Again, it depends on the stock provider's rules. Some do not require any credit at all; others require full credit. Be sure to read the terms of use thoroughly before downloading and using the brushes. Also keep in mind that some groups require you to credit every single resource you use, even if the stock providers do not. When in doubt, credit!

 

2. What about tutorials?

It depends on the tutorial creator's rules. Most tutorial writers at least want to be informed of the tutorial's use so they can see what you have done and know whether their hard work paid off.

 

3. What if the stocks all belong to me?

It would save all of us a lot of time and frustration if you would please just state so in your artist's comments. It would eliminate confusion and let us know that you're still a cool person who credits stock and resources. It only takes three words: ALL RESOURCES MINE.

 

4. Are direct links necessary?

Yes and no. dA does not require them except in the case that the stock provider does. Aeirmid strongly prefers but does not require them (YET!) for photomanipulation DD suggestions. Many groups also now require direct links. So, you should provide direct links, but you do not have to do so unless the stock artists require it.

 

Other resources

How and Why You Should Credit Your Stock ProvidersHiya Darlings,
Today I am going to tackle a subject that all photo manipulation artists should pay attention to. (Yes, this means you!) It is my hope that this article will save you the headache and trouble of getting a submission declined, having to delete your work, or worse; be sued by someone because of it.
Why Properly Crediting Stock Is Important
All artists know that the secret to a great manip is finding stock that is just right for the theme you are trying to convey. On :devart: there are literally thousands of fantastic high quality images that are absolutely free. Some of these images are even created by and featuring professional models and photographers.  You could pay a lot of money for the rights to use the type of stock resources in your art that are found here free of charge. This is part of why  :devart: is unique and an amazing place for artists to frequent.  
You’ll find that a lot of art groups, including :iconmani
:thumb239861946: PE S and R Sourcing Your ResourcesSourcing Your Resources
You may think that the creation and sharing of stock and resources is a no brainer.  Clearly however its not, and there are a growing number of deviants who for some reason or another seem to not be able to grasp the basic principles.
As the last article we will be launching for Stock & Resources Project Educate week, we are going to attempt to lay it out for you in clear and easy to understand terms.
What YOU own
The gallery details for stock and resources read:
Gallery Info: Resources & Stock Images
Resources submitted by deviants for others to use in their own works and/or learn from.
Gallery Info: Stock Images
Stock Photography which the provider has granted a licence for incorporation into other Deviant artists work.
By submitting work into the stock and resources galleries, be they a photograph of your cat, a pack of brushes you have created, a texture you have developed, or a tutorial you've spent weeks resea

 

Thanks! :peace:

Dan-Heffer Elandria Aeirmid

 



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EveLivesey's avatar
I can see me noting a few people with a copy of this :giggle: Thank you!