Summary of my Stock Photo Research

I know there's been a few threads on here talking about use of stock photos on erotica, but I figured I would let people know what I found in case it's useful info for anyone else.

I was reading TOS on the major stock photo sites that said photos could not be used in association with porn (erotica is not porn, understood), but also that their photos should not be used for "sensitive" uses, including implied sexual activity or preference.

I was using photos from Dollar Photo Club, owned by Fotalia, so out of curiosity I shot them an email stating that I was an author writing romance, erotic romance, and erotic literature that ranged in steaminess from Harlequin to 50 Shades of Grey level and asking if I those would be acceptable uses under their TOS. I asked about use of photos with models and/or photos of objects only.

Fotalia/Dollar Photo Club (emailed each company) responded with an emphatic no, that none of their photos would be licensed for use on erotic literature.

Shutterstock said yes, if I purchased a Premium license only, which allows for sensitive use.

Deposit Photos said yes, provided the photo was tagged "erotica" in the search.

Dreamstime said that no photos of people (objects were ok) could be used in erotic literature.

Anyway, not trying to ruin anyone's day or anything- but just figured I'd pass along what I learned in case it's useful for anyone else. I'd read through that thread from the microstock group where the photographer had emailed companies asking whether erotica was a permissible use, and thought his emails to the companies were too vague- so I wanted to clarify for myself.

Sofia

Ok, I'll edit this by saying that one of the authors on a reddit group I'm on said she called dollar photo club after I posted and got it from the CEO that if the photo could be used without offense to the model, it was permissible. Also, those were the only ones I checked with, so it's possible some of the other major stock companies consider it perfectly fine. If you're doing a ton of altering, like Filligree said, you're probably completely fine- I tend to be pretty anxious about this stuff and read the TOS on everything.

ETA: Ok, so I heard back from Big Stock Photo and they said that it was fine, provided the model's face was covered/blurred so that they were not identifiable, and that any tattoos/birthmarks did not show. That seems like the most reasonable response of any place I asked, actually.

Fallen said:

I'm just double-checking with Dreamstine now. Jeez, it took me ages to find this photo. It doesn't show the model's face at all and there are no tattoos etc but... oh maaaaan. Just typical.

Click to expand...

You know what, though? Check to see if Big Stock Photos or Deposit Photos has the same one- the photo sites share a lot, which is why it's stupid they all have slightly different policies (and also, prob. depending on what rep you get). On most you can do a photographer search.

Fallen said:

If it helps, the photo I queried from Dreamstine is off to the left there (His), and that's the one I was given clearance for.

Click to expand...

I have to say, I love love love your cover. Very HOT. Glad you were able to get the photo!