What do you think?

Maybe what we need here is for AudioGon to establish a way to imprint the name of the seller on the photos when you post an ad. I really can't see the harm that was done here other than one seller may take the route taken and another may choose not concern himself. But if each photo had a imprint not blocking the item of course with the sellers name, that would end it. Oregon all I can say is you used the wrong photo, it wasn't yours, you didn't ask permission. If it were my photo I would have e-mailed you a file copy, and maybe another seller would have felt the same. You could have easily sold the unit without a photo most have seen or owned a Creek before. Or maybe taken a picture off of Creeks website if possible. I have seen nuberous item listed with Mfgrs. photos and text used and have not seen any reprocussions from doing so. I have also seen many ads where "box opened for photo only". I would say you made a mistake, make appologies where needed and hopefull you both can move on. As Muzikat indicated he had sold his item, if you were competing against him with his own photo, he would be entitled to more.

I have had my photos used by others on at least three occasions I can recall offhand. I suspect there are more as these are just ones I came across by chance.

The way I handle it is to just send a polite, ribbing email like 'Guess you liked that photo, eh? :)'.

I don't really strongly mind it, but I guess each time I felt like something subtly dishonest had gone on, since the item listed had now been used by the new owner for at least some period before his listing. In other words, though the item might indeed have still looked just the same, the photo being used was now 'old'.

I had a friend who had that problem with match.com...

That's funny Paul. Made me laugh.
Oregon and I are at peace with each other.

I now realize it was a mistake to use Muzikat's photo. As I stated before, his item sold, so the issue of competing with him did not exist.
My apologies.
Personally, I don't care if you use my photos to sell your items (Virgos posted at the moment- excellent speakers, but crappy photos!) Of course, if you used my photos to commit fraud, I'd take action.
It's the sheer pettiness from the pseudo moralists that I find so amusing.