A new French law obliges clients using commercial images to disclose if the body shape of a model has been manipulated. The new law that was passed back in December 2015 comes into effect in France on 1st October 2017.

Consequently, Getty Images (including iStock) has amended its submission requirements for photos. This appears to be applied worldwide, not just in France. We’d expect other image agencies to follow suit.

Strictly speaking the law only requires manipulated images to be marked as ‘photographie retouchée’, that is ‘retouched photography’. Yet, contributors must agree with Getty Images and iStock to not even submit content where the body shape of models has been altered to make them look thinner. Or larger.

It tickled us that noses are listed fine, make them as large or little as you wish. Other retouching is still acceptable too, including changes to hair colour and skin retouching.

Existing contributors can sign in to their Getty Images ESP account to see the new Submission Requirements. It looks like advertisers that break the new law face fines up to €37,500.

We are interested to see how the law will be applied and what constitutes weight manipulation - there could be blurred lines between skin retouching and altering body shape. What do you think of the new law?