About two months ago several of my cards came back from the reviewers with no status change but a question over my right to use the images I used in my cards.
I went to a great deal of trouble to explain to the reviewers my methods and as a result I made a blurb up to put in the "notes to reviewer" box for each and every card  I make now. That blurb reads like this
 
"A reviewer recently questioned me regarding the source of one of my images so I wish to state for the record that: I do have the right to use this image, as with all my images they are either my own photographs or works or they are works I have purchased the license to use giving me the right to use them both personally and commercially; or they are a mix of all the above. I also use numerous textures and layers to create vintage style works and Old-fashioned style works occasionally."
 
I, like everyone else, also have to tick the little box stating we have the rights to use the images.
I purchase my images from several places, I have a friend who makes textures and runs a blog on using them and gives textures away for free for use personally and commercially and I use photoshp CS4, several topaz plug in programs, paint shop pro and my own photography along with my purchased products.
 
Today I got a card back with no status change with this message
 
Please Note: If you have the rights to use this image, we need to have the URL and TOU of the source.
 
Since all my cards use several processes and images am I now going to have to supply the urls and tou for every single image i upload to use??  
 
How on earth do I PROVE I actually took a particular photo and that it belongs to me and I just played with it in one of my programs to get it looking like it does?
 
sorry but geez people I tick the box, I further put in writing I have the rights to use the images now I am having to prove what I say is true? Why??
 

I know Selina, it can get a bit monotonous sending information in...after you`ve already clicked the box,lol.
If I use another artists work...I type in Courtesy of _________, in the Image By area per card.
If I were to find myself using two artists work, Id include the main image..but, I also give credit to artists of my images in a bullion on my storefront.  
While making a design...I keep a book of the card image, artist, font, and so on. So, its not too much of a bother if GCU requires info.
I wouldn't bother with textures and stuff like that, unless their TOU state you need credits on stuff you use.
Your cards are awesome!
Janet Lee

That is I think,more than anything. what has upset me, is the fact that this reviewer is calling into question my honesty.
 
yes, they are!!
 
I tick the box supplied saying I have the rights to use the image I have submitted.
 
I supply a written piece further stating my rights to use this images and a generic outline of why.
 
And still I get questioned and told to PROVE my statement. That is in essense calling me a liar and I am afraid I don't like that.
 
I do all GCU asks of me ansd still get questioned
 
How on earth am I supposed to PROVE I own a photo I took and then manipulated in photoshop??  
 
Once again I apologise if I offend anyone but calling into question my honesty and integrity has upset me and I am sure I am not the only person who would be upset.

Quote from Rod_140621 on Nov 29^th, 2010, 4:43pm:

 
Hi Rod, I sometimes feel the same way.
 
Unfortunately the image this reviewer has picked on is a photo I took myself and digitally altered in photoshop CS4 and topaz Simplify then Topaz Adjust. how do I prove an image I used is a photo I took!!
I have tried to explain it to the reviewer BUT i still feel as if asking me to prove what i say is true is taking things too far and I don't see why I should have to detail every move I make in order to produce an image - which is how this has made me feel.
 
supplying GCU with a written piece stating I have the rights to use the image in addition to ticking their box for that purpose should be enough.

Thanks Rod, much appreciate your comments.
 
It was my hope in posting this here that Mindy or Shawn or someone would see it and be able to offer some advice or comment on all this... I still hope someone will.
 
I know GCU has to make sure we abide by copyright laws etc.., I do understand that and I have no problem with that. i know how it feels to have a piece of work "stolen" and used without my permission.
 
BUT I will never understand how a reviewer can call into question an artists honesty when that artist has done as GCU asks and then gone further provided in writing they have the right to use the work to try and avoid a sitiation such as this. It seems to me that by trying to do the right thing and save time for myself and reviewers in the whole process all that has happened is that one reviewer has decided to question my honesty.

I too have used some public domain photos that are free for commercial use. The key is to always place a URL link back to the original web page of where you got it and you won't ever have any trouble with this. You should place it in the Artist's Notes section, that way the buyer as well as the reviewer can see it.
 
As far as the reviewer questioning if an image is yours, that can be cleared up by sending them the original taken by you. You don't have to show them the step-by-step process of creating the card. They know we all use some kind of software at some time or another. I had this same trouble at another website   and the problem was that the image was so good that they didn't believe it was mine. It was, but I had to prove it. It should make you feel good, not upset. That is probably the case with you as well.  
 
Don't get upset over this. They are just doing their job, that's all.  

Quote from Norma_133903 on Nov 30^th, 2010, 12:10am:

 
 
Hi Norma. I don't use "free" images or stock images.
As I stated, the images I use are my own photos, my own tubes, my own backgrounds and i even make my own textures a lot of the time. I use Photoshop CS4 Paint Shop Pro, DAZ 3D, several plug ins for CS4 and also am learning to use vue for backgrounds
Yes I have used some free textures - from a girlfriend I know never from a free site.
On occasion I have purchased images and as such yes, the license to use them commercially and yes you are right that is not cheap.
But I have never used anything from a free site or stock images for just the reasons you stated.
 
I state this in my notes to the reviewers which is why I was upset over this issue.  
Even more upsetting when I know of someone who scans drawings done by someone else and then uses them and never gives credit to the person who actually drew them!
 
Sorry.... I am just tired of trying to find a way to prove my images are mine when i either take them with my camera or make them myself in my programs. Bit hard to "prove"  when i do it for myself and not for commercial purposes.

Very well put Lisa, Norma and Rebecca.  Thank you.
 
This is a necessary evil, part of the review process to protect all artists and the integrity of products offered on GCU.  Unfortunately all artists do pay the price by "being under the microscope" due to other artists' poor practices.  Even though in the T&Cs artists accept when joining GCU and the Image Rights checkbox for each and every card submitted we continue to receive submissions using 3rd party creative that is being used illegally.  The checkbox seems to be merely a speed bump to some artists.
 
This includes yet is not limited to things like:
stock art, clip art, images of rubber stampings protected by Angel Policies, images of stickers and scrapbooking paper & elements, identifiable photos of people needing model releases, property rights (photos of private property), trademarks, copyrights and the list goes on.
 
Some instances of misuse are unintentional (misinformed/oblivious/ignorant) and some are quite intentional, flat out deception.  But in all cases, this is a business and there is little room for "whoops, I didn't know".  If an artist chooses to use 3rd party creative it is their job and responsibility to know - know the terms, know the limitations, etc.  If they are not willing to do their due diligence then they shouldn't use 3rd party creative.
 
Unfortunately there is no nice way to ask for proof of image/creative rights without offending the creator even couched with pleases and smiley faces.  
 
In your case Selina your first reply to the reviewer was along the lines of "I own this image" which begged further clarification as many artists purchasing art say they "own" it.  So the review team was really trying to pinpoint either where did you buy it from (source and TOU) or is it an original piece of your own work.  Splitting hairs perhaps but it makes a world of difference.
 
You'd be appalled how many times some artists have contested that they have purchased the rights to use an image commercially yet at further inspection of the source and TOU this was clearly not the case.  
 
We want to be clear that GCU is NOT the place to come to sell creative works that are not your own using 3rd party creative illegally.
 
Thus our:
Creative Works Misuse Policy:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/forum/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1203182737
 
Image Rights Acceptance:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/forum/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1232741389
 
REPORT ABUSE:
We have a channel to report misuse of your work or other artists' work.  Simply send an email to: reportabuse@greetingcarduniverse.com    We take these reports quite seriously, are kept anonymous, and expect our community of artists to help us in policing our community for illegal creative.
 
As for artists being treated differently, if the review team has identified that an artist is/has used 3rd party creative illegally then yes, that artist will be watched with a closer eye and will likely be asked more often re: image rights than other artists.  
 
All artists should scour the internet periodically for misuse of their own images/creative in an effort to protect their work.  
 
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation and if you have any suggestions, please share them.