Watermark Issues

[parkerbenson]

I have noticed while reviewing Getty's site that it states on photos

"Want an image with no watermark? Please sign in or register."

The image with the watermark is easily downloaded by right-clicking the page.

This suggests Getty makes the image available with the watermark, and presume the public will download this image.

However, it offers the option of an image without a watermark by registering with Getty and purchasing a license to use a watermark-free image.

That's like Sony Music offering low quality sample downloads of popular music on it's website, with a simple right click, and they having an icon that reads, "Want a high quality full-length version of this song?  Please sign in or register."

It suggests that Getty doesn't value it's product very much, at least with the watermark.

Has anyone pursued this line of thinking with regard to their exorbitant claims for unintended use of images now in the Getty catalog?

[Oscar Michelen]

The watermark discussion has gone on in this forum, and it certainly would help in court to try and weaken Getty's arguments by casting light on their lack of effort to better protect their images. Nothing in the copyright law, however, requires them to watermark their works or post a copyright notice or even use that little "C" symbol. So while you can argue that Getty plays fast and loose with its material, its not a defense to infringement