Flickr has altered its policy for removal of images reported as infringements of copyright, which still removes the image although replaces it with a message alerting visitors of the complaint. This will preserve any discussion surrounding the image, and if the claim is found false, make it easier to repost.

The move is obviously in direct response to the dustup over its removal of the Obama-as-Joker image, which we still seem to not know who made the copyright infringement claim. When it was found that it was likely that the claim was made by a party with no real legal right to do so, it gave the appearance that Flickr acted out of political reasons.

Flickr’s new policy as reported by Director of Community Heather Champ goes as follows, and is actually the suggestion of a member of the community:

Upon receipt of a complete NOI (notice of infringement), the U.S. Copyright Team will replace the image with a new static image that bears the following copy: “This image has been removed due to a claim of copyright infringement.”

Whether Flickr acted out of politics will probably never be known, however now full deletion of an image will not be as easy on the service, allowing it to make sure DMCA claims are legit. I think its a good move considering the avalanche of bad press it got over the Obama dustup.