istockphoto deactivating images

I read a message similar to this earlier this week about IS tightening up on possible copyright issues and today one of my files got the axe. The image was of a GPS unit on a wet car windscreen. Seems that if Garmin can recognise their units, then they break copyright - irrespective of markings.

I believe this falls under the category of trade branding.  Legally, it falls under a similar category as trademarking, but it is a little more gray.  Imagine seeing a red soda can with a white streak on it.  Even if you had photo shopped out the words coca cola, you could easily identify it as such.  Same for iPods - even without seeing the apple logo, most people would instantly recognize it as such.  This seems a bit extreme for GPS units, but without seeing it I cant' say really for sure.

I had an image of a live Cypress Tree deactivated for Copyright concerns. Seems crazy that you could copyright a living tree.

Given that at times it can be more confusing than anything else for
most members, we are again asking you to contact Client Relations with such issues.


Experience tells us that discussing such
issues in the forums without the actual images and without a clear
background on the situation can only lead to a pandemonium of concerns
for the community.


Thank you so very much indeed... and this one is going Downtown.