简体中文
Miss Wu accidentally discovered that her photos on the social networking platform were used as a “buyer show,” by a micro-sized enterprise on WeChat platform. This made her suspect that her photos had been sold privately.
According to a survey conducted by the Beijing Morning Post, various types of private photos were packaged and sold online. The seller said that the “no copyrighted” photos were downloaded from the social platforms. If buyers purchase in large quantities, the photos can be “customized” as required.
The lawyer said that micro-sized enterprises freely sold the citizen's selfies and life photos, which infringed the portrait right of the residents. Wu has the right to request to stop the infringement and get the apology as well as compensation form these micro-sized enterprises.
Wu usually likes to post her selfies and daily life on WeChat social platform. She suddenly found one of her photos was posted by a plastic surgery micro-sized enterprise on WeChat. The plastic surgery merchant wrote on the social media that they used Wu’s photo to convince the consumers of their product's efficiency.
Wu said that she was upset by their behavior, saying: “They used my photos without my permission. Moreover, this behavior will make my friends misunderstand that I have done the micro-plastic surgery.”
Wu tried to contact the merchant and they have only just deleted her photo online. Wu continued to ask where they got her photo, and the merchant didn't reply and blocked her on WeChat.
The price of each package of private photos.
There are many businesses on the Internet selling "private photos” with a large number according to the reporter’s research, Xinhuanet reported.
The reporter contacted one of the sellers and asked him about the purchase of these photos. The seller said that they provide different types based on their different requirements. The seller said that there are people who also bought self-portrait photos for dating friends.
The reporter stated that he wanted to "buy the goods” and chose a set of beautiful pictures. After clicking the pay link, the reporter paid four yuan (63 US cents) and the merchant sent 50 pieces of different women's selfies. The merchant also gave a “friendly” reminder that these photos are not authorized.
Wu Lihong, the director of the Beijing Kangpu Lawyers Institute, said that if sellers freely sell photographs of people’s selfies or life photos, the seller’s behavior may have infringed on the citizen’s portrait rights, and the citizens have the right to request to stop infringement, restore reputation, and get the apology.
The online platform releasing the self-photograph also needs to bear the responsibility of supervision. They should take the action and handle the illegal business in time. The infringed person has the right to notify the network service provider to take necessary measures such as deleting or disconnecting the link.
(CGTN)
