The Bottom Line
PicScout Image Tracker service levels the playing field for individual photographers without legal departments at their beck and call. PicScout hunts down copyright violations and handles the legal side of getting violators to "pay up".
Pros
- Huge Timesaver
- Commission Includes Legal Fees
- Low Monthly Fee
- 10% of Commission Donated Back to Photography Industry
- Can Recognize Altered Images
Cons
- Only Monitors Business Usages
- 50% Commission on Found Infringements
- Only Covers North America, UK, and Germany
Description
- Web-based Copyright Infringement Recognition Program
- Monthly Subscription Based System
- Focused on Commercial Usages
- Built-In Legal Support System
Guide Review - Software
PicScout Image Tracker is a web-based program that allows you to upload low resolution images for a monthly fee. PicScout then scours the web for commercial uses of your image. Whenever a match to an uploaded image is found you receive a report on that match. You review the match and inform PicScout if the image is being used without permission. If it is a violation, PicScout arranges legal support to contact the violators and resolve payment due for the image use.
PicScout is focused on commercial image violations and is not going to track down every blogger claiming your images as your own. However, images used without your permission in advertisements and other commercial applications are much more likely to produce revenue for you. Even if the theft involves only a cropped piece of your image, PicScout's software can make the match.
The commission fee of 50% is in line with what many stock agencies would charge for a normal sale and certainly not unreasonable considering it includes legal fees. However, even if you choose to pursue PicScout found infringements on your own you are still liable for the 50% commission.
PicScout is focused on commercial image violations and is not going to track down every blogger claiming your images as your own. However, images used without your permission in advertisements and other commercial applications are much more likely to produce revenue for you. Even if the theft involves only a cropped piece of your image, PicScout's software can make the match.
The commission fee of 50% is in line with what many stock agencies would charge for a normal sale and certainly not unreasonable considering it includes legal fees. However, even if you choose to pursue PicScout found infringements on your own you are still liable for the 50% commission.
