Certainly on iStockPhoto there is a license restriction clause which states it can't be use in any logo or trademark.
http://www.istockphoto.com/help/licenses
I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of restriction is common in most stock photo sites.
http://www.istockphoto.com/help/licenses
I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of restriction is common in most stock photo sites.
Dreamstime: http://www.dreamstime.com/terms#unauthorized Apparently you can use it in a logo, but you cannot trademark it- which resolves the problem of someone trademarking it and suing you- their trademark would be infringing the license.
123rf: http://www.123rf.com/license.php?type=enhanced
Yes, this license does forbid use on logos, so that designer apparently did indeed violate the license. The designer should have read the fine print.
Freelancer: I couldn't find terms for stock work, however, the headline in the screenshot is "travel agency logo" so based on that, it appears it is meant to be a stock logo.
So, it appears that 2 out of 3 of the sites do allow us of their artwork in logos. It may not be a good idea, but in these 2 cases, I would not call it stealing. Nor would I expect anything more for 5 bucks.