Australian Virgin Mobile Campaign With Flickr Photos Stirs Debate

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There's a storm brewing over Virgin Mobile's use of a Creative Commons-covered photographs from Flickr users in a recent Australian print campaign. While Virgin Mobile clearly notes in the ads, created by Glue Society, where the photographs came from, some are concerned the people in the ads should have been given the chance to sign a model release and the Flickr users and photographers should have at least been asked permission to use the photographs.

With everything just a right click away, the issue of fair use, attribution, copyright or whatever name you want to apply, is a slippery slope indeed. Three days ago, one Flickr user who, apparently, has legal connections says he's sent a cease and desist letter to Virgin Mobile but has not yet received any acknowledgment regarding the letter. Flickr users, including the older brother of one of the girls who appears in one of the photos, are debating the issue here.

We've contacted Glue Society for comment and will report any response we receive as soon as we receive it.

UPDATE: Following an avalanche of complaints, Virgin Mobile has canceled this campaign.

Written by Steve Hall    Comments (2)     File: Brands, Campaigns, Consumer Created, Policy, Social     Jul-19-07  
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Comments

Just take your own photos, is that so hard? Creative commons or not, that's just wrong and now this will only cause Flickr take away some services.

Posted by: Gunn on July 19, 2007 11:28 AM

maybe the photographers should have asked what a creative commons license is before posting their images . . . .

Posted by: you wanted to share on July 19, 2007 01:41 PM

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