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I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

cyclingtips.com

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Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#3
> And the irony, of course, is this: the pictured bike itself was never stolen, but the rushed magazine photo has been – by hundreds of people, perpetuating a fake crime over and over.

At what point (if ever) would using a photo like this fall under fair use? The author doesn’t seem to care, but I’m curious if copyright is ever forfeited due to widespread use or inaction of the copyright holder.

Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#4
post #3

> And the irony, of course, is this: the pictured bike itself was never stolen, but the rushed magazine photo has been – by hundreds of people, perpetuating a fake crime over and over. At what point (if ever) would using a photo like this fall under fair use? The author doesn’t seem to care, but I’m curious if copyright is ever forfeited due to widespread use or inaction of the copyright holder.

I don't believe one is required to defend copyright.

Trademarks, certainly, but not copyright.

Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#5
I think it makes more sense than the author expects. Bike thefts probably are not frequently caught with a high wuality camera, still pose, proper lighting, photogenically bland clothing choice, etc. such that it seems like a stock photo for bike theft. Only another purposeful photo of bike theft that is similarly or moreso staged should outdo it, but for general purpose image use (like a powerpoint or something) the photo kind of makes sense as a popular choice.

Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#6
As a father, I would be mildly concerned about this notoriety, especially as a traveler. Airport authorities are not known for the subtlety of their understanding, and it is entirely plausible that this man might be arrested and jailed on the basis of not only being photographed committing a crime, but now admitting to it, calling himself a thief.

Yes, this would be preposterous, wrong, and I might go so far as to call it evil. Certainly stupid. But can you really say it can't happen? Would it surprise you if it happened in the US, or that rather than apologize and reverse the injustice that it would be ignored or worse, jumped on by conspiracy theorists and an even harsher penalty applied?

To live in a post-evidence world is to live in a world of chaos and terror where light-hearted online banter can and will be used against you. You laugh now, and say it couldn't possibly happen? Well, wait.

Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#7
post #3

> And the irony, of course, is this: the pictured bike itself was never stolen, but the rushed magazine photo has been – by hundreds of people, perpetuating a fake crime over and over. At what point (if ever) would using a photo like this fall under fair use? The author doesn’t seem to care, but I’m curious if copyright is ever forfeited due to widespread use or inaction of the copyright holder.

Never is the simple answer. Otherwise all copyright would have pretty much been eliminated by the pirate bay.

Enforcement and collection of the damages is a totally different issue.

Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#9
post #3

> And the irony, of course, is this: the pictured bike itself was never stolen, but the rushed magazine photo has been – by hundreds of people, perpetuating a fake crime over and over. At what point (if ever) would using a photo like this fall under fair use? The author doesn’t seem to care, but I’m curious if copyright is ever forfeited due to widespread use or inaction of the copyright holder.

Using a photo like this in an article about how photos are used without permission is probably fair use. Using a photo like this as part of your article on bike theft without permission is probably not fair use.

Re: I became the internet’s most notorious bike thief

#10
post #6

As a father, I would be mildly concerned about this notoriety, especially as a traveler. Airport authorities are not known for the subtlety of their understanding, and it is entirely plausible that this man might be arrested and jailed on the basis of not only being photographed committing a crime, but now admitting to it, calling himself a thief. Yes, this would be preposterous, wrong, and I might go so far as to ca…

He was not photographed committing a crime.

They framed a shot, akin to acting, and no bike was stolen.

The author clearly outlines this point that nothing was stolen.

If the author showed his face, showing a clear resemblance, I could see notoriety possibly raise some eyebrows being the same guy as the bike thief stock photo... But that's a very far fetched possibility.

Unless the guy was convicted of a crime, with a criminal record, then maybe have some issues... But this instance maybe take off the tinfoil

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