Stealing Photos
Out of context: Reply #12
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- mantrakid1
Dear Ignorant Client,
I understand that you wan't to use these photos on the website as temporary / placeholder graphics, but there is no scenario in which I can professionally consider this to be 'ok'. Not only is it 100% illegal, but even with that aside, it is unethical. It is akin to using a musicians song in a commercial or promotional video without their permission. To think you can 'get away with it' for a week is on the level of thinking that as long as you get to your car with stolen shoes, it is fine.
You legally must have a license or at the very least express written permission for the usage or be prepared for legal repercussions anywhere from a cease and desist to a full on lawsuit, not even counting what PR damage it could do to the brand if the tightly knit professional industry catches wind of it and decides to make your company a bad example that goes viral.
It is infinitely easier to use self photographed, public domain or purchased/licensed stock images for this purpose.
Sincerely,
Fuck You, Pay Me