NEW PHOTO USAGE POLICY - effective January 1, 2021

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Two years ago, I introduced my first Photo Usage Policy Here. Ever since Twitter started allowing multiple pictures to be posted in a tweet, I have noticed traffic to my site had dropped, as fan sites would post all of my content without crediting, and more importantly leaving no reason for their followers to come there to see them on my site.

Compared to 2 years ago, when I posted this in my last photo usage policy ...
“I just went thru my analytics, and the numbers really back it up. Since they implemented this 4 years ago, ONLY ONE of my top 20 blog posts of all time on my site for total traffic, comes from the last 4 years. Despite my social media reach growing.
ONLY THREE single day individual post totals in that same time frame.”
...things have rebounded. Granted, some of that rebound is because of content that was here, such as the Crisis On Infinite Earths event, and some of it is on how Google relays info to people on their smart phones now, but the numbers have been almost universally better in the past two years. FOUR of my Top 20 all time blog posts are from this past 2 years. With a 5th just outside at 21st.

Again, 2 years ago, I said this...
“This year will be the 2nd consecutive year I have had the lowest traffic totals on my site since analytics were kept. This is despite the fact that several times this year, I had major spoilers to post from popular shows that were covered by major sites that discuss these shows.”
… well, 2019 had the highest traffic on my site since 2015, and the 4th highest year total. In 2020, even with the site essentially dormant for half a year because of the pandemic, and no news to report, the site had more traffic than 2017 & 2018.

While there are some out there that spitefully post my content BECAUSE of my rules (and they are often dealt with quickly by some platforms, while others are more incompetent *ahem twitter*), the general compliance I have seen over this past two years has been positive, and generally understanding. Youtubers & instagram fan pages have been generally good at understanding, and following the rules. While some pockets of twitter are also doing well. Because of these upticks in responsibility, and traffic, I am going to be revising the photo usage policy for SOME sites, as well as older content..... so pay attention to the rules below.
So, for materials posted on this site as of January 1, 2021 (until any point it is revised.. the newest version of any policy will always be in the right side of the page row.) here are the new rules for usage.

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS (Twitter, instagram, facebook, tumblr etc.)

0 Total - Photos with watermarks removed on a public site (exceptions may be made if you ask me, AND get my permission. Mostly that will be for people wanting to do an avatar with it, but I will decide on a case by case basis. Any use BEFORE asking however, will be dealt with as theft. This will absolutely result in a take down notice through that platform, and perhaps legal ramifications.)
1 Total - Photos in whole or part with watermark still fully (not partially) displayed. No credit added. (This of course does NOT mean "per social media post", this means total from that blog post. I'll allow one. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for ALL of them.)
2 Total - Photos in whole or part with watermark still fully (not partially) displayed. Social media account credit given. (This of course, does NOT mean "per social media post". This means total from that specific blog post. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for ALL of them.)
4 Total – **NON-INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK SITES** Photos in whole or part with watermark still fully (not partially) displayed with proper link to the original post the material is from (aka - this sites specific blog post, NOT a social media post from me). (This of course, does NOT mean "per social media post". This means total images from that specific blog post. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for SOME or ALL of them.)
6 Total - **THIS IS FOR INSTAGRAM, AND FACEBOOK ONLY (due to those sites efficiency at dealing with takedown notices, and the reduction in offenses, I will extend their usage a slight bit more)** Photos in whole or part with watermark still fully (not partially) displayed with proper link to the original post the material is from (aka - this sites specific blog post, NOT a social media post from me). (This of course, does NOT mean "per social media post". This means total images from that specific blog post. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for SOME or ALL of them.)
UNLIMITED - This is ONLY for patrons to my Patreon account. You can register HERE.
Those who have completed a payment cycle (this takes place on the 1st of every month, regardless what day you register) may post any photos from the account on the social platform of their preference. DO NOT post photos that are only available from there (at least until they are also available to the public) until the 1st payment cycle has been completed.

NEWS/INFO/FAN WEBSITES
4 Total - Photos in whole or part with watermark still fully (not partially) displayed with proper link to the original post the material is from. (This means total images from that specific blog post may be used on your site ANYWHERE. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for SOME or ALL of them, and perhaps legal ramifications.)

YOUTUBE VIDEO BLOGGERS

4 Total - Videos under 8 minutes in length - Photos in whole or part with watermark still displayed with proper link to the original post the material is from in the description & acknowledgement on screen, or verbally in the video to the site. (This means total images from that specific blog post may be used on your channel ANYWHERE. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for SOME or ALL of them.)

8 Total - Videos over 8 minutes in length - Photos in whole or part with watermark still displayed with proper link to the original post the material is from in the description & acknowledgement on screen, or verbally in the video to the site. (This means total images from that specific blog post may be used on your channel ANYWHERE. Any attempt to circumvent that total will result in a take down notice for SOME or ALL of them.)

ANY CONTENT OLDER THAN 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE IT WAS POSTED ON MY SITE IN MY BLOG SECTIONS – Effective January 1, 2021, if you post content older than 12 months from the release date on my site, I do not expect a Credit. There will also be no image limits. Feel free to credit if you like, but I no longer will expect it. Just dont remove the watermarks. If you are unsure when a piece of content was posted, feel free to ask. I will try & answer for you, but you can generally find that info in the top left corner of each blog post.

Of course, you may at any time ASK if you can use more for any reason.
As well, all photos are for sale, if you want them unwatermarked. I sell them for substantially less than any news agency does. When you buy photos from me, I do not put any limits on how many of the ones you buy you post, or where.

I feel some of these new loosening of restrictions will be helpful to many of you in expanding your own fan/business platforms. Thank you to the majority of you who have co-operated, and understood over these last couple years. These new extended limits, are because of you.

If you have ANY questions, as always, feel free to ask me in my contact form, or on whatever social media platform you see me on.