All rights reserved - why I'm no longer using Creative Commons for photos

Locked handicapped entrance, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.

I have over 7,000 photos on Flickr under a Creative Commons license. It's been a great way to promote my photography and I've enjoyed seeing how others have used my work.

However, Creative Commons has become too much work for me lately. People consistently ignore the conditions of the licensing. Either they don't attribute the work to me, don't include the CC license with the photo, or put their site (including my photos) under their copyright. It's work to track down how my photos are being used and it's work to explain how their use is in error. It doesn't help that the CC terms of my photos aren't used consistently -- people have found exceptions and used them to justify their own misuse. *sigh*

It's also a big job to field requests. These come in several flavors:

• individuals who want a one-off use of my photos on their blog and want to make certain their use is correct
• sites that are out to make ad revenue off their entries and don't want to pay me, but want me to agree to it anyway
• sites like Now Public that want to use my photos but want me to sign-up and agree to separate terms of use

It's hard for me to be consistent and to make certain these sites keep up the agreed upon use.

I don't feel good about moving away from CC. I have photos on Wikipedia and my work has appeared on several big sites. That probably wouldn't have happened if they weren't listed as CC. It's time to move on. I've had recent opportunities to profit from my photography, and I may also explore monetizing my work through the podcast I run or through my personal blog. I think CC licensing on future photos may convey the idea that the photos are amateur work not worth paying for.

It's time to save time and position my photography for other things. I'll keep what's under CC listed that way, but I'll retain the rights for all new work.