posted on August 13, 2009 07:14:46 PM
I found this on the eBay canada community board, it certainly clarifies thing a bit.
ebay has now clarified the new policy;
Link
There's been a lot of concern about eBays new policy on using seller photos in its Product Catalog. There were two main concerns, and I asked eBay spokesperson John Pluhowski for clarification.
Q: Can sellers use catalog images in listings?
A: The seller who contributes an image that is used in the catalog can use it in their own listing. However, another seller cannot use the CGI catalog image for their listing, they must provide an image that is their own. The CGI catalog images will used by eBay only on the product display pages.
Q: Why is it an opt-out program?
A: This program seeks the very best photography from eBay sellers and we are casting the net as wide as possible. Anyone can opt out of the program, but for sellers we see nothing but upside to participating in the program.
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posted on August 13, 2009 07:37:11 PM
I don't anyone thought eBay would encourage others to use your photos, however, what do they expect will happen when the photos are conveniently housed in one place? Who would be able to keep up with people using other people's photos? It happens now and most don't get caught. Only difference is, it's not as easy or convenient the way things are now. Something still smells quite fishy here. When was the last time eBay did anything that was just for the benefit of their sellers?
posted on August 16, 2009 05:21:05 AM
Maybe I am not reading it right but I didn't find that Ebay says other sellers can use your photos.
From what I have read it seems like a good idea to be in the catalog because it gives your ID and a link to your profile page.
Ebay states:
Product pages are rolling out to more buyers, so list with product details to make sure your listings are included. Also, eBay will start selecting sellers' photos for inclusion in the eBay product catalog on September 1. If your photo is chosen, your user ID and a link to your profile page will appear on the product page. If you'd prefer not to have your pictures selected, opt out no later than August 31.
So correct me if I'm wrong but where does it state that other sellers can use your photos?
Other sellers can use your photos right now if they choose to, so what is so different between now and the Product Catalog?
posted on August 16, 2009 08:21:10 AM
Maybe someone can explain to my what eBay wants our photos in a catalog? My pictures are mostly of craft books, I can't imagine why eBay would want them. Is it that they are just wanting named products, elecronics etc.?
eBay is building this catalog so they can make product listings Amazon-style.
Let's say I list these earrings:
eBay creates a catalog page for these Jody Coyote QM253 earrings. Anyone else who wants to sell the same earrings can piggyback on my listing now, using MY picture and MY hard work, including the product description.
Think about the typical Amazon page where you get a choice of sellers to buy the product from, all trying to undercut the other in price. That's what eBay wants.
For sellers, this is bad. Very bad. Unless of course one is the kind of pond scum that loves to profit off other peoples' work -- for them it's great news.
When the catalog comes into being (and eBay says it will be soon) I will no longer offer standard merchandise on eBay -- meaning, items that others can acquire and list on catalog pages -- only one-of-a-kind handmade things. Catalog pages are worthless for unique items.
posted on August 16, 2009 11:47:33 AMMy pictures are mostly of craft books, I can't imagine why eBay would want them.
Amber, eBay wants them so that someone else can offer the books for less, including free shipping.
Forcing more sellers to free ship isn't the primary goal but it will be a side effect.
Look at the booksellers on Amazon who list thousands of books for one cent each, if anyone has any doubt where this is headed. Amazon doesn't make you free ship, but caps the shipping charge.
posted on August 16, 2009 12:31:39 PM
Fluff, I understand exactly what your saying but what I don't understand is why Ebay is not explaining it the same way.
99% of the time my auctions are unique so it would be unlikely that my pictures would be copied. But I do see why it is better to opt out if you sell items that many sellers also sell.
Thanks Fluff for explaining what ebay really means.
posted on August 16, 2009 01:08:33 PM
toni - eBay won't explain it as Fluff did. They're sneaky and underhanded and hoping you aren't smart enough to figure it all out.
posted on August 16, 2009 01:17:15 PM
Fluff, thanks for your comments. I take up to 20 pictures of patterns of my craft books, I know that is why they sell. I see a lot of sellers showing one dark picture of the cover, which means nothing, people want to know what is included, they often bid because of one pattern in the book that they like. I don't want to think they can take my hours and hours of scanning and editing to use my pictures on their auctions. I hope that by opting out, we really HAVE opted out.
posted on August 16, 2009 03:28:04 PM
Okay, let's look at what the spokesdroid said.
The seller who contributes an image that is used in the catalog can use it in their own listing. However, another seller cannot use the CGI catalog image for their listing, they must provide an image that is their own. The CGI catalog images will used by eBay only on the product display pages.
I think what they mean by this is that they will have the catalog picture with the "stock" photo (that sellers have graciously donated to eBay) and links to individual auctions/listings below that. You click on one of the links and you get to one of the listings. They're saying that on *that* listing page the seller will have to use his/her own picture. That is my understanding.
However, there's nothing stopping any seller from using no picture at all, at least not that I can see. You view the product picture on the catalog page, you click an individual listing link, what do you want to bet some sellers will say "refer to catalog page for photo" or some such? You've already seen the stock photo, now you're ready to bid.
So technically s/he is correct: The other sellers wouldn't be using it in their listings, only linking to it.
Anyone can opt out of the program, but for sellers we see nothing but upside to participating in the program.
Really. And what would that "upside" be? The spokesdroid sure wasn't forthcoming about that.
