Under US copyright law, the photographer owns the copyright the moment a photo is taken — posting it publicly does not transfer that ownership. Before any member photo is reused on the site, in marketing, or on social, we require an explicit non-exclusive licence grant captured at upload, and any photo involving an identifiable third party additionally needs a model-release confirmation from the uploader.
At a glance
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Upload | Uploader checks a licence-grant box; cannot submit without it |
| 2. Attribution capture | Username and upload date stored and displayed alongside the photo |
| 3. Third-party check | Uploader confirms consent for any identifiable person, plate, or private property shown |
| 4. Internal review | Moderator screens for stolen/scraped images before publishing |
| 5. Revocation window | Uploader can request removal from future use at any time; existing published uses may remain per the licence terms |
Why a licence grant is required, not optional
Copyright attaches automatically to a photo the instant it's taken, owned by the photographer (or, for work-for-hire, their employer). A member posting a photo publicly on a forum or social post does not automatically give True Motion Auto — or anyone else — the right to reuse it elsewhere, such as in a featured gallery, an article, or a marketing email. That reuse right has to be granted explicitly, which is why the upload flow includes a licence checkbox rather than relying on implied permission.
What the licence grant actually covers
- Non-exclusive: the uploader keeps their own copyright and can use the photo elsewhere too
- Scope: on-site display, featured galleries, and named social reposts with attribution
- Does not cover: paid advertising use or third-party licensing without a separate, explicit agreement
- Attribution: the uploader's username and upload date are always shown alongside the photo
Handling photos with identifiable people or property
A photo showing a clearly identifiable face, a legible license plate belonging to someone other than the uploader, or private property needs an added confirmation that the uploader has consent from anyone shown, beyond themselves, before it can be approved for reuse. Moderators can decline to publish a photo that raises an unresolved privacy concern even if the licence box was checked.
Common situations that need extra care
- A group photo at a car meet — the uploader needs to confirm they have permission from others shown, not just themselves
- A photo showing someone else's licence plate clearly — blur or crop is required before publishing
- A photo taken on private property that isn't the uploader's own (a dealership lot, a friend's garage) — needs a note confirming permission
Catching stolen or scraped images
Before a submitted photo is published in any featured spot, a moderator does a quick reverse-image check for images that appear to be pulled from a manufacturer's press kit, a dealership listing, or another creator's account without the uploader actually owning it. Confirmed scraped submissions are removed and repeat offenders lose upload privileges.
Revoking a licence
An uploader can withdraw their licence grant at any time through account settings or by contacting the team; this stops any new use of the photo going forward. Uses already published before the request (e.g., in a past newsletter that already went out) are handled case by case and may not be retroactively removable depending on where they were used.
This page describes an internal workflow, not a legal contract. Any commercial or paid-media use of a member photo beyond the standard on-site licence requires a separate written agreement with the copyright holder.
Frequently asked questions
Does posting a photo on the forum automatically give True Motion Auto the right to use it elsewhere?
Can I take back permission for my photo later?
What if my photo shows someone else's face or license plate?
Do you pay for photos used in featured galleries?
How do you catch photos that were stolen from elsewhere?
Sources & further reading
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
