Messages

1

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Photo Attorney Carolyn E. Wright $35K Settlement Demand Letter

« on: May 17, 2012, 07:32:28 AM »

I am a little confused... Miss Copyright Wan-Hsin Hsu has a different (North Carolina) address listed on her business site? Not Georgia as reported...

Email:      [email protected]
Phone:     678-534-8529 (678-53-ITLAW)
Address:   Hsu Law Office, LLC
                740 SE Greenville Blvd, Ste. 400-108 #1188
                Greenville, NC 27858
                United States of America

Edit with LOLz:
A Google satellite map search shows that this is yet another "Strip Mall" Attorney. Now the part that is so "Ironic" is that the Shopping Center is called... "Pirates Pointe Shopping Center"! It also is on the out-skirts of the Greenville, Mall! How classy!!!

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Photo Attorney Carolyn E. Wright $35K Settlement Demand Letter

« on: May 16, 2012, 11:42:21 PM »

She might be cute if I could wipe that Copyright watermark off of her trolling face...

3

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Need some advise!!!

« on: May 13, 2012, 09:25:41 AM »

concerned_man,
I am no legal expert, but unless the image was obtained by a TemplateMonster.com template, you will have to Play or Pay. None of these companies care how the image ended up under your company name. All they want is a paycheck. If you plead your case that a web designer put it there, they will say fine... pay us then sue them for your damages.

In short, and as I am new here too... If it is a single, two, three or even up to maybe 6 images, almost none of these extortionist have actually followed-up on their threats to take you to court. However, as it will always be said here, there are no guarantees. You can pay them and go on your way and not look back. You can pay Matt a small fee to have a condensed session of what about a good week of reading this forum and the SCRIBD site will teach you. You can also pay Oscar to begin a Letter Campaign on your behalf. Or... you can take this bull by the horns yourself, and begin your own campaign of writing letters challenging their position. That is what a good number of members are doing, if you can handle the up to 3 year Statute of Limitations ride.

In my case, it is pure principle. I built a site for my Friend's business and he is being harassed by these scum. I read many posts and with the help and proper direction provided by the Senior Members and previous postings of others like cases, I have become my friends pseudo Attorney. Like the others, I want proof of their exclusive right to manage this photo, how long have they had this right, is the copyright filled and so on and how the hell they figured our usage (if any) equals laughable amounts of damages.

Never the less, the choice is ALL your and ONLY your to make.

Get Help With Your Extortion Letter! is a Sticky item on the main section but this is, I think, the very best place to start your education and decision process.

Also, I am no one here, just another recent victim like you. If any Senior Member contradicts what I have written, then take their advise and not mine!!!
Good Luck and welcome to the club.

4

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: SuperStock Settlement Demand Letter

« on: April 30, 2012, 07:21:31 PM »

Someone is an absolute SEO Master.
Nice job!

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Super Stock - Demand Letter

« on: April 27, 2012, 12:44:49 AM »

Hello Matt,

I do think I "Get it", but maybe am falling on my face by not better proofing my statements here.
I am thick skinned and do not plan on paying a dime to them unless it is ordered so by a court. I do understand that no one can tell me that action a, b, and c will surely make them go away and we will be free of their pestering, threats and demands.
Sometimes one just does need that little affirmation that "You can do it", and I think that is what I am after here. I can see where it is not likely they will go after a single image based on cost to pursue. I also understand that challenging their claim by requesting proof is very powerful in gaining the upper hand with them. Discovery is more their responsibility than ours.
Anyway... I am happy to cooperate with the community any way possible and appreciate the dialog.
Again... I am more unhappy that my friend is having to deal with this BS because of my good intentions and "Innocent" actions.

Oh... and I do see the big picture that these letters are design to milk money without litigation. Their intent is to have us pay without due process of the law so they can rape more than the court would likely award them in the event they did win a hearing.

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Super Stock - Demand Letter

« on: April 26, 2012, 08:13:06 AM »

Buddhapi... or is Budd ok?

Thanks for your reply.
I do see where Matt and Oscar do acknowledge Super Stock and even have a letter program identified for this entity. That gives me piece of mind.
Many thanks for your time to reply to me. Your wisdom is not falling on deaf ears. I will focus on addressing them and not so much about the what if's?

I must say... I feel more horrible about getting my friend caught up in this... I guess eventually I am going to have to direct him here to help research our action.

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Super Stock - Demand Letter

« on: April 26, 2012, 07:19:04 AM »

Matthew,

Thanks for the reply and I certainly understand your position. I have read hours and tons of suggested ideas/solutions. I am guessing ignoring the situation is a bad plan. I do suppose he will have to draft a letter seeking proof of registration, proof of rights and proof of sales history. I do NOT think I was seeking free "Counsel" any more than the simple 1,2,3 steps that have been posted on here several times before. I have considered the "Phone Call" as an option just to help navigate this all. It is still very much on the table. One of my primary concerns is 90% of these threads deal with Getty and other Image Houses. We are faced with one Called "Super Stock" not Shutter Stock. I did see some threads about this entity but not much. I assume they are all cut from the same cloth and employ the same unscrupulous tactics. I think I was looking more for an affirmation that following this sites suggestions will pay off against my demon, Super Stock...

Buddhapi,
I will PM you the Attorney's info. Their site does list that they do Copyright work, so my statement that they did not was incorrect.

Thank again...

8

Getty Images Letter Forum / Super Stock - Demand Letter

« on: April 25, 2012, 08:53:12 PM »

Hello and thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter and to this site for the valuable information.

First off, let my start by explain the facts. Several years ago I built a site, FREE, for a friends business. To the best of my knowledge, the site was launched well over 3+ years before the “Letter” was received. Once my friend made me aware of this letter in Nov./Dec. 2011 I found this site.

The Letter:
My friends received a Super Stock letter claiming an infringement and demanding compensation. As I said earlier… I believe the image in question has been in use on the site for well over 3 years so he/I either owe all that usage or SS has no claim based on the Statute of Limitations. Never-the-less, I immediately pulled the image and restructured the entire page. I also removed any image that was not a Vendor Approved image, taken by myself or my friend. I have worked in Photography and am well aware of Copyright issues. I would have never used images that I did not believe were Public Domain, Royalty Free and Free of any Usage Limitations both Personally or Commercially. The letter was a cease and desist, but also demanded payment in the amount of $2240 for an infringement that was only supported by a screenshot.
The letter provided no prove of ownership and asserts that he is guilty by virtue of their screenshot without any discovery.
1.)   Unauthorized Use Letter to cease and desist stating that he is obligated to pay for usage within 14 days
2.)   Screen shot of image in question
3.)   Invoice for $2240.00

The Decision 2011:
After searching SS and stumbling across this site during that time… I decided the safest course of action was to remove the image and not respond to the letter as many have said they will not likely go after a single image infringement legally. I advised my friend of what I had learned here and advised him to forget about it and move on, which he did. Until now nothing was heard for SS, but…

Currently 2012:
My friend received another letter but apparently escalated to an Attorney. (A search of the Attorney says they are Personal Injury Council and I did not see anything of Copyright Attorney. They also appear to be a small firm.) At any rate, the letter of demand states that this Attorney was retained by SS to purse this situation and if he did not pay the $2240 within 15 days they would have to consider litigation and he would also be on the hook for SS’s legal fees as well. The letter also states the He is on the hook and anyone else involved would have to be sued by him for recovery… IE me. However; no contact has ever been made to them making any claim of anything.

Help with Course of Action:
As there are so many different suggestions from keep ignoring, writing a none admission of guilt stall letter to offering a small payoff check, I am looking for more specific advise in my situation. As I said… I built the site for free, but I feel completely obligated and responsible for this situation. I don’t want my friend to have to pay this outrageous fee and I cannot pay it either. I know this is everyone’s story. I am looking for sound advice. What should I/We do moving forward? If I have to retain Legal Council to Draft a “Go Away” letter what are the results? As You Gurus have been dealing with this BS for years now… How do I stand?
I would like to have better advise next time I speak to my friend about this situation. I surely do not want to give him bad advice and advice that I ultimately and probably will be responsible for.

Thanks again for your help

P.S. I should also note that this Attorney letter is requesting a Insurance Declaration Page and Contact Info.