Using Fotolia.com images

So to sum up.. If you purchase from Fotolia.com

• Must be less than 1000×1000 pixel, otherwise must be covered by something (like a menu)
• If it has recognisable faces must have model release (sounds like all of Fotolia images have model releases so should be ok?)
• Must not include images in download package
• Can’t reuse same images in another template, unless you have purchased another licence.

Are these the guidelines?

In addition to my comment above I have seen numerous templates using the same photos I used that were rejected for having recognisable human faces. The same model in fact. In one instance the author of that template stated that they did not give evidence of a model release on the forums. I won’t name names.

I am also not trying to be bitchy but I have seen threads similar to this. Maybe its something to think about.

And sites that provide free imaes could be mentioned as well, so new authors don’t get close to commiting suicide when getting rejected a few dozen times. Not only new :d

+1 – I actually thought of giving up on that template because it was such an annoyance changing all the photos.

I come to a very interesting conclusion; to many reviewer have problem with hot girls.

On the FIFA World Cup post’s that what the do all day remove links to hot girls And now i hear they also reject hot image girls? Well i guess we are probably doing something wrong here … I think its time for me to move to TF for good

I come to a very interesting conclusion; to many reviewer have problem with hot girls.

true activeden is like a monastery, we should move to themeforest that is like, well, a forest (of witches) hot witches

In the site template instructions it states…

When using images containing recognizable human faces or private locations, link to a scanned version of a filled out and signed model or location release.

I just submitted a support ticket to see whether we could get hold of the model releases straight from the fotolia website. This would solve everyone’s problems.

Hey guys,

Sorry that there’s so much confusion surrounding what files you can and can’t use in your previews. The laws around this kind of thing are very convoluted.

The reviewers aren’t lawyers. We can’t research every license word for word and be able to tell you what you can and can’t use. That’d be impossible. It’s the author’s responsibility to find out whether or not he’s able to use a particular asset. If it’s unclear, you need to contact the person that actually owns the copyright. All you need to do to verify with us is that you’ve researched it and that it’s alright. If it has a face, make sure you let us know that there is a model release. We don’t need to see it. We just need to know it exists. If it’s your work, let us know. Like it says in the instructions, even if it’s a photo of yourself, there still needs to be a model release. If you don’t tell us that you’ve researched it and it’s alright, we have no way of knowing it’s okay.

I hope that helps clear up any confusion.

I guess I’m in the minority as I tend to think we have a pretty good team of reviewers.

With regards to model releases, here’s what I suggest:

If the model makes a formal complaint to Envato, the author would be obliged to solicit the release from Fotolia or wherever they purchased the photo. If the proper release can not be obtained, the author will be asked to remove the photo.

In my opinion, Envato should trust certain companies to do business with. And if necessary, Envato should have dialogue with these companies to ensure that the stock company’s copyright standards are compatible with Envato’s policies.

^ Edit, looks like Lance cleared that up

Hey guys,

Sorry that there’s so much confusion surrounding what files you can and can’t use in your previews. The laws around this kind of thing are very convoluted.

The reviewers aren’t lawyers. We can’t research every license word for word and be able to tell you what you can and can’t use. That’d be impossible. It’s the author’s responsibility to find out whether or not he’s able to use a particular asset. If it’s unclear, you need to contact the person that actually owns the copyright. All you need to do to verify with us is that you’ve researched it and that it’s alright. If it has a face, make sure you let us know that there is a model release. We don’t need to see it. We just need to know it exists. If it’s your work, let us know. Like it says in the instructions, even if it’s a photo of yourself, there still needs to be a model release. If you don’t tell us that you’ve researched it and it’s alright, we have no way of knowing it’s okay.

I hope that helps clear up any confusion.

Great post lance that sounds like a good summary. One question though…

If we just put there is a model release uploaded by the images’ author. Is that enough?

Can’t reuse same images in another template, unless you have purchased another licence.

You can use the same imaes bought under the standard license as long as you don’t include them for download. I even asked Fotolia this question, bu I can’t find the damn link. I’ll have to contact them again for evidence.

I guess I’m in the minority as I tend to think we have a pretty good team of reviewers.

You’re not in the minority, the reviewers are great. It’s the rules that are too evasize. We all have problems understanding them, both authors and reviewers, because they’re not very explicit. And since so much importance is put on these rules and instructions, they could be clearer imo. If they were so clear, there wouldn’t be so many rejections and question marks, and we’d all be happy, reviewers and authors

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