Since Instagram updated its new intellectual property policy yesterday, I’ve been thinking more and more about switching to Flickr.

I’m not a huge Yahoo! fan, but I don’t like the idea of allowing my photos to be used in advertisements, especially without compensation. And I’m going to guess I’m not alone in that. In fact, there’s even a hashtag, #boycottInstagram, trending on Twitter right now to discourage use of the popular photo app.

[tweet https://twitter.com/RyanMoran22/status/281114791509106688]

[tweet https://twitter.com/PrincessTrockel/status/281114636462469121]

[tweet https://twitter.com/JeremyDabney/status/281114295511699457]

[tweet https://twitter.com/MajedAlMuhanna/status/281114082545922048]

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The section in the new terms of service that is upsetting most users is the clause that gives Instagram the right to use photos for advertisements.

Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.

The Wall Street Journal breaks the clause down and looks at other social network policies. Is it really that different from Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare?

It’s definitely different from Flickr. Here’s a look at a blog post in 2011 that reassured Flickr users that they would always own their photos.

There has been some discussion on the web as of late about image ownership on photo sites so we wanted to take a moment to address this on Flickr.

Here at Flickr, we’re all about helping you share your photos. That’s what photos are for. Sharing and remembering what you see, with the people that matter to you.

We feel very strongly that sharing online shouldn’t mean giving up rights to your photos. Our Terms of Service clearly spell out that Flickr/Yahoo! doesn’t own the photos that you upload. You, as a member, maintain all ownership rights to the photos that you upload to Flickr.  - May 13, 2011

So what’s it going to be? Will you jump ship to Flickr? Use Twitter and its photo filters? I think I’m going to research it more before the Jan. 16 deadline and then make a decision. Post your thoughts below.

Photo via CNET.