Instagram Controversy

UPDATE: Shortly after the uproar surrounding this issue, Instagram has addressed the concerns of many and are in the process of updating their terms of use. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Hi Spaces Fans,

Everyone is buzzing about the new Instagram legal changes that were made over intelectual property. If they continue with their new direction you might want to consider these tips from Spaces Images photographer Will Austin. Thank you Will for taking the time to offer up such great advice. We will continue to follow this story and keep you updated with any changes. If you get a chance please check out Will’s Blog at http://willaustin.com/category/blog/ it is full of great information and increadable photos.

Thanks,

Spaces Team

Today I received a flurry of messages asking about the new terms of service that Instagram just announced. As an avid user of Instagram I am very disappointed. No online photo service, “free” or otherwise, has the right to sell my photos without my consent. So this is what I am doing –

1- Seeing the deluge of bad press today, I will give them 10 days to update their terms.

2- Today I will download all of my Instagram photos via the service “Copygram,” there are several others as well –

http://copygr.am/site/backupphotos/

3- I will only upload photos to Instagram when obligated by a special project.

4- I will start using three other services today – Snapseed (Google+), EyeEm and Flickr. (That thundering sound on the internet today is millions of people swithching to the new Flickr App)

5- If Instagram hasn’t come around by the first of the year I will cancel my account and start a new “dummy” account which I may or may not use.

6- I will notify all my good friends on Instagram of my new home(s) at Google+ Flickr and EyeEm.

More on the issue here-

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57559710-38/instagram-says-it-now-has-the-right-to-sell-your-photos/

Cheers,

Will Austin