Using Angie to sell boots?

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MNsara

Veteran

After I got over my initial surprise, I thought I had to tell you guys:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Donald.....27cfd38553

(be sure to look at the auction as there is an Angie photo montage too!)

It's NOT my Ebay listing, and I can't tell if it might be another YLFer (it IS a MN seller!), but in any case, I might understand why using adorable Angie in her boots is like other celeb pics used on Ebay. . .

What do you guys think?

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12 years ago

Off Topic

23 replies

Latest reply was from rae

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I know she's a public figure and very beautiful, but its creepy if they did it without her permission, imo. I bet you did a double-take when you saw this!

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Good grief! Well, we know it's not Angie because she's not in Minnesota.

Angie looks so gorgeous in those photos that I totally want to buy the boots even though they're not my size! I certainly hope the seller got her permission to use her pics!

12 years ago

deb

Veteran

Hmmm..... interesting.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I can't imagine a YLFer doing this without getting Angie's permission, but I guess it's a good reminder that lurkers see all the pictures here as well as forum members. Angie is certainly a great model for someone wanting to sell those boots, but using photos without permission speaks volumes about the ethics of the seller.

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Yeah, I imagine it takes some getting used to for bloggers, to be a 'public' figure.

At least this was done in flattery, but too bad the seller doesn't give credit to where pics where from. When I've sold things and used a stock photo, I try to even SAY a stock photo was used -- and these pics are artful creations, not lowly stock photos!

This is why people start putting some logo or name superimposed on their images.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

In the big scheme of things it's not a huge violation, but I'm bothered by it.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, me, too. On both Angie's and Greg's behalf.

Hmmm.

12 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Something about it doesn't sit right with me. I think I'd feel violated. I'm very curious to hear Angie's opinion on this.

12 years ago

Laurinda

Veteran

I've heard that 'public' figures cannot expect privacy of their photos, but since this is 100% commercial use it does not pass the smell test.

ETA: OOPS! Thanks Claudia!

[Too bad we can't get that added to spell check with an "Are you sure?" colored underline.]

12 years ago

Claudia

Veteran

I am sure Laurinda will fix her typo of 'public' once she sees it, but it cracked me up, especially about not passing the smell test with commercial use, LOL.

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, that is really not cool to use someone else's image to sell something without their consent. Happens a lot to bloggers, from what I see.

eBay sellers, take your own darn pictures!

12 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I'm not even sure the issue is that Angie is the (beautiful) model. What about the fact that they are Greg's photos? Not familiar with copyright law on images, though.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Yes, MPJ, that came to mind immediately. Greg has put a lot of time and money into achieving such a level of expertise as a photographer, and this amounts to stealing, at least in ethical if not legal terms.

I'm curious so when I get the chance will google the boots and see if Angie's pic comes up high in the ranks. It's just odd.

12 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Sorry to say I didnt think of the infringement on Greg's photos as well! Double creepy!

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's not creepy at all. The seller is showing someone wearing the boots. They probably did an image search for pictures with this tag and this picture showed up, which shows the boots to very good advantage. It's the same as searching for stock photos; they probably thought it was from a catalog.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

I actually experimented and did an image search on the product and these pics did not pop up. Maybe they could have if I'd gone through pages and pages of google results, but actually that's not likely as the stronger hits show up at the top. Plus, why wouldn't the person just have used a pic from Nordstrom or somewhere like that? That's the logical choice. I wouldn't know for sure, but I feel like it could be a lurker who knew that there was a post here featuring these boots. It doesn't really matter but my two cents.

12 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

That is a bit on the creepy side.

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I guess I don't see why this is creepy. She's a beautiful woman who makes the boots look good. There's no copyright notice on the photos. Using a blogger wearing the item to sell the item seems 100% okay to be TBH. I haven't done it, and I would probably have cropped the photo myself, but I actually think this usage is completely fair.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry to chime in late - feeling under the weather at the moment.

Sara, thanks for the thread, and thanks to everyone for their kind and caring words. Of course, I live in Seattle and have actually never even been to MN!

This has happened before on eBay. It's not a big deal because it's just a seller on eBay using our photos exactly as they are. It's not worth our time or effort to follow up at this point. It would have been a different story if it were a huge fashion site with lots of traffic.

Be it as it may, I take manners seriously. It's always nicer to have been asked if you can use or borrow something

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Agreed, Angie -- I have little doubt they got the photos directly from YLF site and knew origin, and therefore could have asked permission.

I guess I don't know if a lack of copyright (trademark, or whatever it's called) makes all things public domain, but manners are manners!

Hope you feel better soon, Angie and you and Greg can rest in the knowledge that hundreds (maybe thousands!) of loyal YLF eyes are roaming the internet every day!!

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Yes, Angie! We've all got your back.

Feel better ASAP.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Um, interesting. Well, if Angie is not creeped out by it, I will not either. A sweet reminder that this site has many, many lurkers.
ETA: The only issue I have with eBay, is the "new to me" practice of sellers "taking items on loan" from stores, and trying to sell before the return period expires. Really? I have had two instances where the seller mentioned that either they cold not accept returns because the return period is closing in or that I must return an item before whatever date, so they can return to the store.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Eh, I don't think it's that creepy. Like IK said, the seller probably thought Angie was a model or celebrity (well, she is both, in a way!) and figured it was a good way to show the boot height on a bod. It's hard to buy shoes online without seeing them on a model, and manufacturer's sites always seem to show empty shoes nowadays.

That said, if they DID know Angie is a blogger and has pics taken by her DH, shame on them for not asking!

12 years ago

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