03-25-2017, 09:45 AM
So I think there's a couple of things going on in this request.
Copyright
Yes, if a photo is not free for use or under an appropriate creative commons license (the license should allow for modifications, because by putting that photo in HTML you are modifying the photo), you must ask the original owner for permission to use the photo. Finding something on pinterest or tumblr does not mean the photo is free to use, and you should still be aware of all copyright laws around the photo.
The best places to go for photos, that I've found, are DA stock (read ALL the stock providers guidelines, many cannot be used for tables, but many can, and each stock provider is different) and Flickr (narrow your search to Creative Commons license photos, modifications allowed).
This is the only thing owners/officers enforce. If someone contacts us regarding a copyright complaint, the photo will be removed immediately, regardless if the player agrees. Which means if you don't own the photo, we will not enforce another player removing it.
Using the same photo
Use common courtesy and common sense. If someone is currently using a photo, you probably shouldn't use it. If you can remember someone using it recently, try to find another photo. But you obviously can't know/keep track of every photo someone used.
Players are allowed to contact another player and politely and ask if they would consider using a different photo. However, asking does not mean the other player is required to remove the photo, and owners/officers will not make them.
I've seen one of Straia's photo used by someone else. She was one of my favorite characters. It does not bother me that someone else has the same phot, and I would never ask for it to be changed. Why? Because what makes my character my character is what I write, the personality I create, and the story that character lives. Not a photo.
Using the same model
You can absolutely use the same model as another character. Though please remember, odds are any photo that uses the same person is likely subject to copyright laws. You must get the appropriate approvals to use those photos.
Copyright
Yes, if a photo is not free for use or under an appropriate creative commons license (the license should allow for modifications, because by putting that photo in HTML you are modifying the photo), you must ask the original owner for permission to use the photo. Finding something on pinterest or tumblr does not mean the photo is free to use, and you should still be aware of all copyright laws around the photo.
The best places to go for photos, that I've found, are DA stock (read ALL the stock providers guidelines, many cannot be used for tables, but many can, and each stock provider is different) and Flickr (narrow your search to Creative Commons license photos, modifications allowed).
This is the only thing owners/officers enforce. If someone contacts us regarding a copyright complaint, the photo will be removed immediately, regardless if the player agrees. Which means if you don't own the photo, we will not enforce another player removing it.
Using the same photo
Use common courtesy and common sense. If someone is currently using a photo, you probably shouldn't use it. If you can remember someone using it recently, try to find another photo. But you obviously can't know/keep track of every photo someone used.
Players are allowed to contact another player and politely and ask if they would consider using a different photo. However, asking does not mean the other player is required to remove the photo, and owners/officers will not make them.
I've seen one of Straia's photo used by someone else. She was one of my favorite characters. It does not bother me that someone else has the same phot, and I would never ask for it to be changed. Why? Because what makes my character my character is what I write, the personality I create, and the story that character lives. Not a photo.
Using the same model
You can absolutely use the same model as another character. Though please remember, odds are any photo that uses the same person is likely subject to copyright laws. You must get the appropriate approvals to use those photos.