[Rochr]

Some of mine there as well...although i´ve never recieved any "asking for permission" -emails from NL either.

I fully agree that asking for permission would be the decent thing to do, but i´m normally ok with it as long as i´m properly credited and the stuff isn´t used for commercial purposes. I get most of my clients through online galleries and all sorts of webpages anyway.

What puzzles me though, is why anyone would want to put my images in a gallery supposed to be promoting photo realism. I don´t do that type of work.

[paxreid]

I guess my point was...it does seem like it is for commercial purposes. It is PR/Advertising for NL.

And..I have seen some your work around here, I would use it!

[Fernando Tella]

I'm really disappointed; they took none from me.

[michaelplogue]

Free PR is all fine and dandy, if that's what you want. However, I don't do this sort of stuff as a living. My real work involves trying to put very bad people who do very bad things behind bars. And though this sort of work can be fulfilling when you are successful, it's also very depressing.

That is why I do this 3d stuff. For me, it's a hobby that I use to unwind from a very stressful job. When I post my stuff here or in other places, I'm not trying to drum up business for myself. I'm looking for the opinions of professional folks who are in this line of business - and who's opinions I value - in order to improve myself, both technically and artistically. Both aspects of which I have lots to learn.

I know a lot of folks are happy to have their images get additional exposure in order to attract potential clients. I myself - to my utter surprise - have been offered commissions to do cover art for a couple of publications - solely based on what I've posted on-line. Flattering as these offers were, I declined on the grounds that I don't think that I'm good enough for that sort of work, and to be honest, I didn't need the additional pressure.

That being said, the point I'm trying to make is that I, and only I, decide where I post/publish my pieces. It is not for somebody else to take it upon themselves to decide who can have my work without so much as a "may I please?" So you can call it "shooting myself in the foot" if you like. I have my reasons. And I'm not willing to compromise what I do, and why I do it, in order to promote someone else's agenda.

It's not what I'm about.

[Tim Ellis]

I was asked by NL and signed a release form for my works to be used, earlier this year. I thought all artists would have recieved the same.

It's nice to see a proper credit on my images for a change. You don't always get that, other than your own image signature, on the sites who pilfer artwork without permision.

Google ego searches, are good ways of keeping tabs on your artwork as it appears across the net.

Tim.

[Thomas An.]

You are making good points Michael. I didn't know you were not consulted before your images were placed in galleries.

[mverta]

Well, Michael, absent the need/interest to drum up business, I still think you're going to have to concede that internet security of any kind is about as solid as swiss cheese. You can have all the permission rights you want, but all someone has to do is Right-Click Save As, and that's it. If you want absolute control over your work, stay off the internet, and never leave the house. Billion dollar corporations can't keep movies or music out of people's hands, either, so at least you're in good company.

_Mike

[VisualImpact]

This is not about internet security Mike, this is about a company of which we are customers totally disreguarding the copyright of our images for their own self promotion. It's as simple as that mate. They have sprung into action, so are aware of their mistake and are willing to correct it.

[mverta]

Well that's great. I'm a customer, too, by the way. I just happen to be in the minority opinion on this one, I guess. NL is free to advertise their product using my images; it's made me more money and helps secure Maxwell's future, so I see it as win-win. I think all y'all is holdin' on a little too tight. But that's just, like, my opinion, man...

_Mike

[Fernando Tella]

I think the point is about the difference between politely asking for it or just taking it.

[Thomas An.]

Mike, you are correct on the practical sense. There is no argument there.
However, Michael is making an ideological point and since he is uncomfortable with this I think the company should honor his custom request. He probably will not go after the other 4322421 internet sites that might post his images by right-click-and-copy, but he would like to have his request honored just this once, by just one company.

Michael, you might want to add a text on top of your forum gallery such as "All images copyright Michael ____, no copying, or use of these images is permitted without the author's expressed permission"

[mverta]

You know, honestly, it's well within his right to ask for whatever he wants on whatever philosophical grounds he stands, and I agree NL should respect that. And it appears they're addressing it, so I guess better late than never. My value judgment about making a Cecil B. DeMille production out of the whole thing is just that - my personal bent. Especially because we're at no loss for people taking pot shots at NL all day with all the ways they feel they've been wronged... Justified or not, this felt to me like just a little too little to full-on take your toys and go home. Plus, I'd hate to see Michael's great images disappear. They're among the most unique on the forum. Ah well, life goes on, I guess. Congratulations to us: everybody's right.


_Mike

[ivox3]

Congratulations to us: everybody's right.

I'm not comfortable with that ..... someone always needs to be crucified damn it.

[ricardo]

I found the only bearable thing that I've posted around here in a gallery at Maxwell's web site. Then in another area. There are two copies of it. After much begging I managed to get credits to one of them. Gave up about the second.

I'm not against it being used, but... this is not the way to do it.

[nicole]

Hi everyone,

Thanks all for your thoughts and yes, this certainly needs to be addressed. The Maxwell Render website gallery has images in it that do not always have permission from their creators, and this is of course not correct. We are trying to set this straight and we have started to send permission forms to several people, where you can specify if you are ok with the images to be put in the gallery, to be used elsewhere, for advertisements, etc... and specify your credits. Because of the huge number of images in the gallery, I haven't been able to email everyone yet It is a lot of work. Anyhow, I will send a permission form to all of you (the people in this thread) right now, so I hope you can send it back to me asap.

Please note that we will not use any images for advertising, for merchandise, etc, without asking explicit permission from the author first. I have been taking care of advertising and articles in magazines etc (for the past 8 months), and all of the images used in the ads and articles had permission and credits. The Maxwell Render gallery has been the only place where your images were used without permission, and unfortunately that has also led to our resellers and partners taking those images and using them on their own websites.

We have been putting credits (although not always the correct ones, it seems) on the images in the gallery, but I totally agree that asking for permission is the correct and respectful way to go. The issue is being addressed - my apologies for the trouble caused.

Thanks,

Nicole