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Your Face Will Soon Be In Facebook Ads

jfruhlinger writes "If you're planning on checking into Starbucks using Facebook Places, your friends may soon see your profile picture in a Facebook ad for Starbucks — and, it goes without saying, you won't be paid a dime. You can't opt out, unless, as Dan Tynan puts it, "studiously avoid clicking "Like" or checking into any place that has a six- or seven-figure ad budget." The ad will also include whatever text you use in your checkin, so Tynan suggests some judicious pranksterism ("Just checked into the Starbucks around the corner and this doppio mocha latte tastes like goat urine")."

41 of 344 comments (clear)

  1. My Face by Stargoat · · Score: 3, Insightful

    My Face won't. Why on earth should I care about anyone's opinion who isn't on Slashdot?

    --
    Hoist Number One and Number Six.
    1. Re:My Face by TheRaven64 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There's an important difference. If you upload a photograph of yourself, then you have agreed to Facebook's T&Cs, which gives them a transferable, commercial, license to use them as they wish. If you upload a photograph of someone else, this does not apply because copyright is jointly held by the person taking the photograph and the person represented.

      This means that Facebook would be violating copyright for commercial purposes if they used a photograph of someone other than the person who uploaded it. The person pictured would have standing to sue them for copyright infringement. Facebook could then (potentially, depending on the T&Cs) sue the person who uploaded the photograph for uploading something without the legal right to do so, but I doubt they'd consider suing their users to be good business.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    2. Re:My Face by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      copyright is jointly held by the person taking the photograph and the person represented

      No it isn't. Absent a contract saying something different, the photographer owns the copyright. End of story.

      Image rights are quite different and only exist in a very few jurisdictions (and not the UK, which I get the impression you're from).

    3. Re:My Face by shentino · · Score: 2

      If you pay for the photograph, it's a work for hire that belongs to you, absent a contract saying something different.

    4. Re:My Face by vmxeo · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not quite. The photographer holds the copyright. People in the pictures have a right to publicity, but its considered separate from the actual copyright on the photo. Like in the Virgin Mobile case, they legally had the copyright but did not have consent from the model, aka "right to publicity".

    5. Re:My Face by DragonWriter · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Don't worry, your friends and family will upload pictures of you and tag them for you so Facebook has photos of you to draw from.

      And...exactly where does Facebook get the right to use my likeness in advertising? My friends and family didn't have it when they took the picture, so they can't have transferred it to Facebook by agreeing to the Facebook T&Cs.

    6. Re:My Face by ArcherB · · Score: 2

      If you pay for the photograph, it's a work for hire that belongs to you, absent a contract saying something different.

      In the US, no it's not. You need a copyright release before you own that image. Sure, you own the paper photo itself and you are free to put it wherever you like. But you are not allowed to copy it without written consent from the photographer.

      This is why I demand a copyright release up front from any photographer I pay to take pictures. I also demand all photos taken, not just the ones the photographer thinks I might like. It costs more, but it's worth it to me.

      --
      There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
    7. Re:My Face by thegarbz · · Score: 2

      For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos ("IP content"), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook ("IP License"). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

      Please note that IP and consent to represent commercially are two different things. Facebook says you grant them unrestricted use of your copyrighted photo. That is it. By nature this is easy, whenever you take a photo you have the copyright for it unless you were contracted by a parent company to take the photo for them, in which case they retain copyright.

      What this does not ask for nor guarantee is that every picture you take includes a model release of the subject. This is not required for uploading a photo on facebook, and as such facebook can not use photos commercially. At least in my country what they are proposing is illegal, and judging by the Virgin Mobile case in America which someone else linked to it's not legal there either.

    8. Re:My Face by yuri+benjamin · · Score: 2

      This is why I demand a copyright release up front from any photographer I pay to take pictures. I also demand all photos taken, not just the ones the photographer thinks I might like. It costs more, but it's worth it to me.

      I did this for my wedding photos in 2002. I shopped around for photographers who would do this and the only one who agreed was actually cheaper than the others and took very good photos. The first few that I approached laughed in my face and smugly told me no-one in their industry would do it. I have since advised all my friends as they got engaged to shop around for a photographer who will let you have all the photos (and raw files) and release copyright to you.

      --
      You make the mistake of thinking you can educate the fundamental stupidity out of people. You can't.
  2. Or.. by js3 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You could avoid using facebook altogether.

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    did you forget to take your meds?
    1. Re:Or.. by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 5, Funny

      You could avoid using facebook altogether.

      hey, I like that idea. is there a button for me to press to show everyone how I feel??

      (head asplodes)

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      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    2. Re:Or.. by dkleinsc · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The key thing to realize about Facebook is that Facebook's customers are its advertisers and partners. Facebook users and their personal information are the product.

      Not that there aren't other businesses out there doing much the same thing - Google, NBC, CNN, and Fox for starters.

      --
      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    3. Re:Or.. by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 2, Funny

      Kinda like how I use Slashdot when I want to find interesting tech links accompanied by comments from sad, self-important nerds who believe they're smarter than everyone else on the planet.

      Wait, what? I'm not sad.

    4. Re:Or.. by ExKoopaTroopa · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "if it's free, you are the product"

      --
      Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do!
  3. Correct Article Link by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 4, Informative
  4. The sort of person who uses Facebook Places... by eric_brissette · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...probably also thinks it's extra cool that they get to be in a Starbucks ad.

  5. dislike by metageek · · Score: 3, Insightful

    that's the reason for the lack of a dislike button

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    metageek
  6. Think of it in a different way by Ancantus · · Score: 2

    Sense there is no doubt that they will keep doing this to anyone and everyone, just put a positive spin on it. Instead of Starbucks using your face for free advertisement, your Facebook posts are being sponsored by Starbucks! You can go trolling with Starbucks logo always adorning your posts, the ever vigilant muse of overpriced caffeinated beverages giving you credence to bid your friends to come and partake. Whats That?!? Jerry is endorsing Mc Donald's? I must head over and eat some Big Macs because my Facebook friend has a huge golden M logo right next to his face!

    --
    Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. -- Isaac Asimov
  7. Re:Hmmm by MrEricSir · · Score: 4, Funny

    My "hello.jpg" Facebook photo would make a great ad.

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
  8. California Law by dmgxmichael · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Isn't this illegal in California? They have a law on the books that was lobbied into place by Hollywood, but it's vague enough to be applied to the average Joe. If so class action lawsuit in 5... 4.... 3...

  9. Re:Doy?! by hedwards · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While I agree with the sentiment, what this really demonstrates is that the expectation of privacy needs to be revised to provide some protection. It's one thing if your face ends up in an ad or in the newspaper because it was one in a crowd, and quite another when you're the only person in the picture and they used it without your expressed permission.

    Fundamentally there's something wrong with a corporation as large as Starbucks being unable or unwilling to pay for models or get permission directly from the person whom they're wanting to feature.

  10. Stop bashing Facebook by mr1911 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    To all those bashing Facebook saying it has no value: stop it.

    Facebook is immensely valuable. No sociological study could be funded on such a scale to determine just how much crap people will put up with from a free service before they stop using the service.

    But then the joke will be on those of us that value our privacy. I know too many people that would think it was fantastic having their picture used to promote Starbucks and would sell their soul to stay on Facebook.

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    Any offense taken to this post is at your sole discretion.
    1. Re:Stop bashing Facebook by stewbacca · · Score: 2

      I think the problem would be if Facebook used a picture of YOU that your FRIEND had on his Facebook profile, and you don't actually have a Facebook account.

      This is really not very complicated. If people have a problem with the privacy, don't use the product. Complaining about people who do use the product because it violates those people is just projecting your own values on those people. Maybe I don't care if they use my picture on anything they want (as a price for using their service).

  11. Re:The funny part? by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    It could be worse, such as photoshopping for hemorrhoid cream:

    "Suffering from anal itching, anal ache or pain, especially while sitting? Timex recommends Cool Bung brand rectal relief!"

  12. Re:Hmmm by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Or you use a copyrighted image for fb that you don't own the copyright to (and thus couldn't have implictly given to Facebook), wait untill the lawsuits start! I think this idea won't get too far.

  13. Re:Where is Diaspora? by dominion · · Score: 4, Informative

    Appleseed is open source, distributed social networking, built on a commodity stack, and installs in a few minutes on any LAMP compatible host.

    Code is available here:
    http://github.com/appleseedproj/appleseed

    Appleseed has a main beta site, appleseedproject.org, and approx. 150 test nodes out in the wild. If you'd like an invite, just email invite@appleseedproject.org. It's still in beta, but new features are added regularly.

    We've also been fundraising, if you'd like to donate, our fundraising ends in only 4 days, but every little bit counts:

    http://www.indiegogo.com/Open-Source-Social-Networking

    Here is our roadmap for the future:

    http://opensource.appleseedproject.org/roadmap/

    Diaspora is also available, here is their github. They are running on Ruby + Rails, and they were MongoDB based, but recently switched to MySQL.

    https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora

  14. Re:Hmmm by kenrblan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I like this idea. Hilarity would definitely ensue when the Target logo is shown on a Wal-Mart ad, Lowe's in Home Depot, etc. Once company could get free advertising on the competitor's dime!

    --
    Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. - Albert Einstein
  15. Re:Hmmm by shentino · · Score: 2

    As Facebook's TOS allows them to terminate any use at any time in their sole and final discretion for any or no reason, any loopholes will be conveniently plugged by administrative fiat.

  16. You can opt out, and you do agree to it by Corbets · · Score: 4, Informative

    Not to jump on anyone's nerd rage too early in the process, but according to Facebook's terms and conditions (easily found via a Google search, but here's a direct link: http://www.facebook.com/terms.php) you do explicitly allow them to use your profile picture in advertising by using their service. Read point 10 - it directly states that you give that permission.

    Note that it also says that you can opt out. So regardless of what this fear-mongering ITWorld article says, I would fully expect to retain that capacity. It's not even new - I saw friends pictures appearing in "friend finder" ads long ago, and figured out how to opt out. All that's changing is they're going to sell that service to 3rd parties now.

    1. Re:You can opt out, and you do agree to it by thegarbz · · Score: 2

      I saw this happening and didn't care. Not everyone is as shut in and private as you and many others here on facebook are. Fuck it let them use my profile picture. It can only give Starbucks a bad reputation.

      For many of us the pros of Facebook as an all in one communications hub for friends and relatives definitely outweigh the cons. I have friends who have found long lost relatives on facebook, I use it to keep in touch with relatives from overseas who I would ordinarily only call up at christmas and have a long and awkward conversation, it's easier to remember a friend of a friend than an 10 digit phone number when you're on a night out and getting horribly trashed.

      Small price to pay for giving starbucks the right to use a horribly over exposed, noisy, incredibly blurry and low resolution picture of me humping someone's leg while making an incredibly stupid face (my current profile picture).

    2. Re:You can opt out, and you do agree to it by John+Hasler · · Score: 2

      > Well, yes. The curious thing is why anybody would agree to this in the first place.

      Possibly because they are different from you and so don't share all your concerns and values. I have no Facebook account either but I don't object to other people having one.

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  17. Re:Hmmm by Amouth · · Score: 2

    doesn't matter - only takes a single use to break the law..

    you can't go in to a bank and hold up a gun saying your going to rob people and 5min in when the cops show up put the gun down and say "you know what that isn't what i meant to do" and walk away

    while person A did upload the image and was in violation of copyright. so is Facebook when they distribute for profit.

    --
    '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
  18. True, in theory by spun · · Score: 4, Informative

    Most photo studios such as Olin Mills will claim copyright on any photos they take of you. Yes, it is in the contract, but most people don't realize that. I tried having an Olin Mills picture of my mom copied for her memorial. Nobody would do it unless I got express written permission from Olin Mills. I ended up cropping out the stupid "Olin Mills" signature and had no trouble copying it after that. But the amazing thing is that, apparently, Olin Mills and other photography studios have invested large sums of money telling every single copy-jockey in the country not to copy studio photographs. Even the copy counter at the local drugstore wouldn't do it, "Nope,see here where it says 'Olin Mills' at the bottom? Yeah, they own that picture of your dead mom for the next seventy years."

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  19. Re:Hmmm by shentino · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What I mean is that someone using that loophole to get facebook in hot water may result in being banned (and all evidence getting shredded) before anyone has time to file a complaint.

  20. Re:And get a personal website, under your own cont by marcello_dl · · Score: 4, Interesting

    new slogans?

    Facebook: because you're too dumb to own a website and manage rss feeds.

    Twitter: because you're too dumb to get into an irc channel.

    web2.0: because you're too dumb to notice that internet should be made of protocols not sites.

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    ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
  21. Re:Hmmm by arth1 · · Score: 2

    All photos are copyrighted whether you apply for it or not.

    Yes, but how it's implemented depends on where you live.
    If you're in the US, your copyright has to be registered in order for you to be awarded statutory damages -- for unregistered copyrights, the onus is on the plaintiff to document a monetary loss.

  22. License vs. Sale of Copyright by DragonWriter · · Score: 2

    Also, the "IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it."

    Interestingly, since the non-exclusive license is not supported by a written, signed instrument, it will (under US copyright law) also be superceded by a subsequent transfer of the copyright itself (17 U.S.C. Sec. 205: "Priority Between Conflicting Transfer of Ownership and Nonexclusive License.— A nonexclusive license, whether recorded or not, prevails over a conflicting transfer of copyright ownership if the license is evidenced by a written instrument signed by the owner of the rights licensed or such owner’s duly authorized agent, and if—
    (1) the license was taken before execution of the transfer; or
    (2) the license was taken in good faith before recordation of the transfer and without notice of it.")

    So, what you need to do to get the legal rights out from under Facebook is establish a legal entity separate from the original copyright holder of any photographs on Facebook -- let's call this the "Personal Rights in Images Management Agency, Inc. (PRIMA)", and then set up a process by which individuals can transfer ownership of copyright to pictures and other material already posted to Facebook to PRIMA, with conditions on the transfer covering how PRIMA will grant licenses (including a provision that they will grant licenses back to the original copyright holder at no charge), payments to the original copyright holder based on any license revenue, etc. Then, when you want your stuff off Facebook, you the copyright to PRIMA, and PRIMA sends a demand letter to Facebook to remove PRIMA's copyright-protected material immediately.

    (There's no reason this has to be restricted to images, either: it works for anything covered by copyright law that you own the copyright to that Facebook continues to use under the "non-exclusive license" clause of the T&C.)

     

  23. Re:Hmmm by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally my goatse profile pic is going to pay off.

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    ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
  24. Re:Where is Diaspora? by dominion · · Score: 2

    Most definitely. There was a Federated Social Web Summit in Portland in July, 2010, and more on the way. There's a federated social web mailing list, and now the beginnings of a W3C working group that many of us will be working together on. I can't say for sure how it will shake out in the end, because we're all taking different approaches to see which one sticks, but I can guarantee you that a common protocol is part of the process.

    Appleseed, on that note, is built to be somewhat protocol agnostic, so we can support upcoming protocols, as well as multiple protocols simultaneously.

  25. Re:Doy?! by hedwards · · Score: 2

    I don't have a Facebook account, but that part of the ToS that you see on those sites is to allow them to provide the service by publishing the materials you provide. Not as permission to sell the rights to third parties. That's a fundamentally different way than how that's normally interpreted and I don't think that it would stand up in court.

  26. Re:Cropping by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 2

    DMCA stands DIGITAL millennium copyright act. So if the cropping was done using digital tools (like scissors and fingers, knives held by fingers) then it would be a violation. But if you scan it in and crop it using Photoshop the law would not apply. Hope my understanding of the word digital would be confirmed by the courts.

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    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact