What are some Canadian clothing retailers?

How is it that sites like Polyvore and Pinterest are getting away with using images (specifically clothing retailers) on their site without direct permission?

• I am CEO of a personal style company that teaches both men and women how to dress in a way that supports their personality. And as part of our program we'd like to add a feature where we show our customers clothing that is available that works for their Type in our program, along with where they can purchase that item. I know I can't go to a site like Zappos and just use their images on my site, so I've decided to sign up for their affiliate platform so that I have permission to use their images along with links. However, I can't stop wondering how a site that seemingly has no permission, like polyvore, can in essence do what we want to do without that direct permission from the retailer. Is it enough for us to pull the image, give them credit, and then just link back to the site? Any insight into the can, and cannot's when it comes to image use policy is much appreciated.

• Answer:

  Understand that neither Polyvore nor Pinterest are doing what you are doing.  As I understand it, you are making money from the use of the images in order to sell a service that is not directly related to the specific goods in those images.  (Much abridgement here...) Pinterest is making money (will be making money) SELLING THOSE PRODUCTS.  The retailers will not care who uses their images as long as the products sell.  (I don't use Polyvore and am not sure what it does to make money.) (I presume the retailers have covered this reuse in their agreements with the photographers.)  No one will claim "copyright infringement" when the product shown in the image gets sold. I think you would be safe building Pinterest boards that show each type of wardrobe.  Your work would be public in that case.  Don't know where you take your money in this model.