Hello all! Time for another story. Facts of the case:
* I run a tiny non-profit religious org that draws maybe $25K.
* I'm trained in research and know more than most people about copyright. Not as much as Oscar does, I'm sure, but I know fair use and such well enough to have written on the subject for a popular periodical.
* As such I was VERY careful looking for images to use -- if it wasn't listed as free to use, I didn't use it.
* Apparently not enough so! My demand letter identified two images on the website as theirs. That's out of hundreds I have. I posted the images some 5-6 years ago so I can't recall any details of exactly where they came from.
* They want about $2000 for them both. From what I've read so far here that's a mere pittance!
* So far finding commentary by the folks here useful. I'll keep reading and decide what to do soon. Unfortunately I did call their # and leave a "name, rank and serial number" message before I found this place. I think from here on though I'll just indicate all exchanges will be in writing.
Anyway, I'll keep a tab running here of what happens. I figure the more info, the merrier it will be, right? (I definitely like the idea of asking them for the proof that they really own the images.)
* I run a tiny non-profit religious org that draws maybe $25K.
* I'm trained in research and know more than most people about copyright. Not as much as Oscar does, I'm sure, but I know fair use and such well enough to have written on the subject for a popular periodical.
* As such I was VERY careful looking for images to use -- if it wasn't listed as free to use, I didn't use it.
* Apparently not enough so! My demand letter identified two images on the website as theirs. That's out of hundreds I have. I posted the images some 5-6 years ago so I can't recall any details of exactly where they came from.
* They want about $2000 for them both. From what I've read so far here that's a mere pittance!
* So far finding commentary by the folks here useful. I'll keep reading and decide what to do soon. Unfortunately I did call their # and leave a "name, rank and serial number" message before I found this place. I think from here on though I'll just indicate all exchanges will be in writing.
Anyway, I'll keep a tab running here of what happens. I figure the more info, the merrier it will be, right? (I definitely like the idea of asking them for the proof that they really own the images.)