Let´s start an international campaign

[John]

Some time ago I received a letter from Getty Images UK, asking me to pay a substantial amount of money for a thumbsized image on my website. I was not aware of that it belonged to Getty Images, and so far they have not been able to prove ownership of the image.

Considering the unethical business practices of Getty Images I suggest that the members of the forum start an international campaign against Getty Images, with the goal of forcing Getty Images to stop their unethical business practices.

I would suggest everyone on the Forum to contact congressmen, members of the parliament, embassies, key decision makers in the society, bloggers. I also think it outmost importance to contact the newspapers who actually buys the pictures from Getty Images. Personal visits probably is the best way. If everyone who has received a letter from Getty Images visits one newspaper or TV company, I suppose it will make a difference. Also might be a good idea to hand out leaflets outside the newspaper to people who enters their office. Target journalists.

Today, I will contact the local police department. I seems to be that what Getty Images is doing fits into the legal term of extorsion in my country. If they actually would sue me (highly unlikely), I am planning to countersue Getty Images for extorsion. Next step is visits to the chamber of commerce, newspapers offices, consumer rights organizations and embassies. Also, maybe TV-stations.

Getty Images needs to be stopped. Please, update about what you are doing. Time to fight back, with all legal means. Remember, freedom of speach protects us.

[Oscar Michelen]

For all the years we have been involved with ELI , Matt and I have never been able to find a UK lawyer willing to do what  we do here on ELI. It's frustrating because we get some many inquiries about Getty UK letters and w cannot help them obviously since it arises out of the UK and involves British Copyright Law. We get many letters sent to us from Singapore, Canada, and other countries and we have tried to find local counsel willing ot get involved with us but to no avail.