Removing watermarks from images obtained from free stock photo sites without proper authorization is illegal and a violation of copyright law. Watermarks are used to protect intellectual property rights, and removing them constitutes unauthorized alteration and infringement.
Legal consequences may include lawsuits and financial penalties. To use a stock photo without a watermark, one must properly license the image from the original source or stock photo agency, thereby obtaining the legal right to use it.
Always respecting copyright laws and avoiding unauthorized use, modification, or distribution of copyrighted material is essential. If attribution is not desired, non-copyrighted images can be chosen for personal or commercial use.