This is a repost of a tweet I wrote about this subject….
For several years, I’ve shared my photography on @unsplash so anyone can use it for free.
I was surprised and saddened to receive a DMCA takedown notice and account strike over a photo I took while traveling in Japan.
The claim was filed by Bradley Jolly on behalf of @ichimonji_jp. The photo showed a knife display that, to the best of my memory, was in a public storefront. I assume the issue was the branding visible on the knife/display.
This feels especially discouraging because Unsplash contributors are sharing work freely on a platform that monetizes those photos, yet a single automated or third-party claim can put an account at risk.
I’m posting this in the hope that someone at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide or Unsplash can take another look.
If photos that incidentally include logos can lead to account strikes, I’m honestly not sure how contributors are supposed to approach cityscapes, storefronts, clothing, signs, or everyday documentary photography.
My Unsplash profile is here: 📷
https://unsplash.com/@mybbor