Stockfood attacks Grits X Grids – Boycott Stockfood!

I debated about even writing this, but I just received an official letter from Stockfood requiring me to pay $2040.00. That’s right, because I curate other people’s work and never thought to check to see if the stock photography used in that work was actually licensed, they feel/think it’s my duty to pay up.

I am all for copyright laws and the protection they offer us designers and artists. IP is a gray subject at times, but I always default to the artist. I also understand that Stockfood represents artists who deserve to be paid for their work. The problem is, i didn’t use their work for profit. I used it under the Fair Use exception under the copyright law.

The sad part about the situation is that I’ve been ethical in my use of fonts and stock photos my entire career. I’ve tried my hardest to educate clients on the nuances of licensing and the reasons why they must/should pay. Stockfood apparently seems a pay day by attacking a blog that doesn’t even bring in money. For the record, the Google ads pay an average of $50 a month. That doesn’t even cover my hosting.

My goal with this post and some others like it is to bring to light the poor practices Stockfood is using in order to police their IP. Instead of doing due diligence and figuring out the REAL culprits, they are attacking without grounds of understanding. Are they going after Behance? What about Designspiration? I hope not.

What’s really a shame is they shot themselves in the foot. I do a lot of design work for restaurants large and small, and I for one will never use their service again.

If you want to reach out to them to tell them a thing or two, please feel free: (800) 967-0229 and/or LCS@Stockfood.com