Hotlinking Photos

[NealRM]

We recently found out that a local webdesigner is hotlinking photos from my site. At first I contacted the webdesigner and instructed him on the policies we have for hotlinking photos. He "was confused" about the concept of hotlinking, but said he would resolve the issue. In this case the resolution was simple, add the statement "Photos provided by HouseViewOnline.com" and provide a backlink to our page. This was done in a couple of days, so I though the issue was resolved.

Now, a couple of weeks later I reviewed the site and the backlink and phrase is gone. This time I contacted the broker (This was an agency site). I explained to him about hotlinking and how it "defers costs" from his service provider to my service provider. I also explained that he could either provide the backlink and phrase, or have his webdesigner arrange to host the photos on his servers. The broker understood and stated he would take care of the issue.

1) Did I handle this is a reasonable manner?
2) What's the best method to keep this webdesigner in check?

[Malok]

Sounds like you handled it better than some.


I've heard stories of persons changing their hotlinked photos to porn, etc - that usually gets a pretty quick reaction.



Sounds like you handled it in a reasonable fashion, and gave them multiple opportunities to address the matter.

[jlknauff]

Replace the image with this one:
http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/TCA1065.php

and then make your page pull a different image

[BrandonSternfield]

One way of doing it is by using .htaccess files to limit it. If a website that isn't yours is trying to pull that picture give them a 'this website is hotlinking' picture. It's not rude, and it will make them change their ways really fast.

But really.. how hard is it to right click save as, and upload and link. You're still stealing the pictures, but they wouldn't get caught then! (I in NO way condone that.. but at least be smart about it.. sheesh).

One way to do this as a black list format, would look like this:

I borrowed this code from another website, that was instructing people how they themselves did this.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^(.+\.)?xanga.com/ [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/stop\.gif$
RewriteRule \.(gif|jpg|png)$ /stop.gif [NC,L]

The method I stated before, would create more of a white list, i.e. only allowing sites you state to use it.

http://greyduck.net/images/Hotlinking.gif

Personally, that picture is awesome too. I even gave the whole link, as to hotlink it <3

[NealRM]

It's really not about stealing the pictures. We allow the Realtors to use the photos of thier listings as long as they are in good standing. They can use them online or in print. If they want to use the photos online they must either copy it to thier server or get permision for the hotlink.

The problem is with the bandwidth the hotlink is using. We have over 12,000 photos on the site for active listings. Many more are on site for inactive listings. If we don't setup some type of control for the hotlinks we could easly exceed our max bandwidth.

[Jason Painter]

I have found several local Realtors stealing pictures that I have personally taken of the local area. They actually upload them to their own website though. I haven't said anything recently just because I have bigger fish to fry. I can see where you would be upset in your situation though, I think you handled it well.

[Bigtoe]

Replace the pictures with your ad and move the real pictures to another address. They will fire their web guy or pay for the bandwidth to host the pictures themselves.

It is bad enough when the competition doesn't play fair but using your money to do it is way over the line.

[Malok]

Replace the pictures with your ad

I like that idea. Put your phone number/contact info - and have it advertised on your competitor's site. Thats great!

[Bigtoe]

I just came across this article about using .htaccess to prevent others from hot linking your photos. http:// wsabstract.com/howto/htaccess10.shtml

[Jade456]

Usually I just worry about people copying them. Nice tip though.