Right to images and text of distributor

Who should I go to?

[yowza]

I'm starting an online widget store.

I found a distributor who receives its widgets from 70 different suppliers.

I called and asked them about the use of the images (of the widgets) and text (of the widgets) off of their website. I wanted to use their images and product explanations on my site.

However, the person I talked to said that he thinks that I would have to get permission from each of the widget suppliers, because the suppliers provided all of the images and text.

Is this a normal arrangement? Do I really have to call 70 suppliers and get permission?

The distributor is a reputable company that supplies some of the biggest ecommerce sites on the web.

Thanks

[wackal]

why would you need to get permission? You're trying to sell their product and most distributors try to do everything possible to help you in selling their product.

Doesn't sound normal to me. Maybe if it was another store because then you are competing, but not in this case.

[HughMungus]

why would you need to get permission? You're trying to sell their product and most distributors try to do everything possible to help you in selling their product.

And what if the copyright holders of the widget pics is also selling online and doesn't want you using their pics? What the manufacturers don't want their products sold online at all?

Copyright is copyright and you can't ignore that simply because your intent is good.

[yowza]

Could someone share how they get their images and text for products?

I assumed that most people received it from their distributor.

[Sunshyn]

I had assumed that a big part of running (most types) of ecommerce store includes marketing the products - including producing or making arrangements for it's photos and product descriptions. However, I'm sure there are some industries where this is not the default.

[martyt]

Could someone share how they get their images and text for products?

A digital camera and a few minutes in PhotoShop. And now I battle competitors who steal my pictures with alarming frequency...

I really wouldn't worry too much about using the manufacturer's images and descriptions in your store. Get them from the mfr's web site. If you can't find any there, ask one or two mfr's for help and if they put up resistance, then consider whether you really want to sell their stuff.

[Trucker]

I work for a warehouse distributor, and most images we use are provided by the manufacturers. Some manufacturers leave a lot to be desired in this area, and then we have to fend for ourselves.

You could try contacting the makers directly. If they have their act together, they will send you a CD. They may require your supplier to make the request.

If nothing else, try to get the pics from the manufacturer's sites. As long as you aren't misrepresenting their products, you have no worries.

If your supplier won't assist you with selling their products, they don't really want your business for one reason or another. Maybe they consider you small potatoes.