Upon Googling an image on themarkymark's post I found it according to Google to be linked to copyright law.
Now as Marky is an ambassador of SFR I found this to be in direct opposition to the rules they set out for Steem users which is based from the Steem FAQ. Basically the golden rule is to source images which are not your own PERIOD.
First of all. Marky did not source the image in question. Had he of sourced it, copywritten or not, he would have been in accordance with his own rules he imposes on others via Steem Flag Rewards. However he did not source the image anywhere on his post.
His reason for not doing was given in response yesterday. Marky said the image is in fact found on Pixabay and therefore is copyright free and does not require attribution. However in ALL Steem Flag Rewards cases Steemians are at all times required to "SOURCE" their images. This is not something I am just pulling out of the sky. I follow their interaction with people they "flag" for being in violation of their self imposed rules. Each and every time "Failing to source", regardless of copyright or not is a HUGE reason they give flags. But only one of many reasons. Sometimes they have accused people of plagiarism, or other things which are later proven to be incorrect. In these cases Steem Flag Rewards will just "invent" another "law that the Steemian broke".. a old favorite is "YOU HAVE SELF VOTED IN YOUR PAST" Bingo! COMMENCE FLAGS! Which might I add that there is NO RULE when you join STEEM(IT) that says you may not self vote. Literally everyone from @Ned to @Dan has done it. And every single member of Steem Flag Rewards too!
Furthermore in all sincerity I had never heard of Pixabay, nor did the image in question pull the 'Pixabay' website even once on any of the search pages that "Google the 110.8 BILLION TECH GIANT" search provided.
I know for a fact that there are many Steemians who are often falsely accused, and when and if found innocent after disproving the accusation, Steem Flag Rewards will merely seek out a different "crime". Such as find a "good old self vote history in the Steemian in questions past!" <-- this one works great for soaking up those rewards from unassuming Steemians minding their own business "trying" to enjoy Steem(it) peacefully.
Should a user (Steemian) actually be in a real copyright violation why is there not a short and friendly EDUCATION offered to the user on the end of the flag, and or a first time warning, or perhaps a three strikes your out etc. Why are websites such as Pixabay not offered to the users as part of their 'warning', whom perhaps are not aware of royalty free images available to them online. So that in this way they may continue using Steem(it) in a way that is non harmful to the ecosystem, and keeps people here rather than chasing them off? Or is it that you would rather them commit these crimes, and keep them blind to the services that can help them blog better, but we both know if people do things by the books you won't have any flags to help you soak up all of that juicy Steem. Oh but wait.. even then if they do things correctly in accordance with the copyright guidelines you will just look for something else to flag for.. the good old 'You self voted at one time in your life' is a great fall back excuse for flagging anyone and everyone because we all know damn fucking well we have all done it.
Imagine if real police could ticket people for breathing air! lol! They could ticket everyone! Well who the fuck here has not self voted? No one that is who!
Marky if you were not you, if you were some random user with 10 Steem in their wallet who joined Steem(it) last week, the people at SFR, and or good old Jaguar Force would tell you.. no wait.. DEMAND.. that you SOURCE regardless of free use images, as they will say it is just to ensure no mix ups.. and they will insist you ALWAYS SOURCE. They will say you MUST "SOURCE, SOURCE, SOURCE" and then include an image of a gun being aimed at the person to which they are telling to ALWAYS SOURCE. I have literally seen this happen.
At any rate. Source or don't source Marky. I don't give a rats ass what you do, or don't do. What I do care about is that people are not held to the same standard as you who run the 'Steem Police'. Low SP Steemians are told they MUST SOURCE. Remember that. Regardless of copyright. When and if people are found innocent do you guys clear them? Fuck no! You just flag them for a different invented reason..
.. and that is why I call BULLSHIT!
Instead of picking up stones to cast at people why don't you try kindness, education, and patience..
People will not want to be a part of a website on which they feel they are being arbitrarily attacked.
Common sense Marky. Common sense.
Note: if you are interested in yesterdays post about this topic and it's exchange feel free to take a peek here
PIxabay etc. may not be a free pass after all. Here is a fantastic educational read on the matter:
https://friendlystock.com/avoid-get-sued-using-free-stock-photos/