Messages

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Settlement Demand Letter arrived in Sweden

« on: November 19, 2010, 09:54:26 AM »

Yeah!- 2nd letter arrived here as well, but just going to ignore this one too !
These bully tactics will not work, as we are not paying...

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Settlement Demand Letter arrived in Sweden

« on: September 15, 2010, 11:58:38 AM »

The response:
thank you for your email.

Thank you for the removal of the imagery. While Getty Images appreciates the removal of the imagery, Getty Images must still receive compensation for the prior unauthorised use.

We understand that a third party may have been involved in creating the website. Your brother in law is ultimately responsible for the content of his website no matter who created the website.  If you are telling us the webpage was created 6 years ago it simply means that our photographers did not get paid for the last 6 years for his work, as in our records we did not find a license for the specific use of this imagery.

Our demand is an offer for an out of court settlement. We can only offer a discount of 20%, which is 21.997,80 SEK (incl.VAT.) If your brother in law is VAT registered please let us know beforehand, so we can deduct the VAT. The net payment is 18.180,00 SEK.

Thank you.

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Settlement Demand Letter arrived in Sweden

« on: September 11, 2010, 12:38:56 AM »

Thanks Oscar.
I forgot to mention that 2 of the 3 Images are smaller than postage stamps and still no word back from the big fish in the pond !
But I will of course keep you informed.

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Settlement Demand Letter arrived in Sweden

« on: September 10, 2010, 12:38:00 AM »

The Famous letter has arrived here in Sweden, not to my door, but to a family member.
Since the family member isn't too hot with the English- I have decided to try and help him out.
GettyImages are demanding $3,000 for 3 Images, which they are stating are on the web site concerned, and they are right !
I saw the Images in question and I have removed them.
I then phoned up gettyimages and I tried to explain to the rude girl on the phone, who answered in German- but changed to Engish when she heard me speaking.
I said that the web site,was created around 6 years ago by a 3rd party designer and the images used, was certainly not known by my family member to be copy righted in any way- he was just happy to get a web site up and showing on the internet.
Within 3 mins of the telephone conversation, I was being offered a special discount ! I rejected this right away and told the girl, that there is no money available and I no longer wanted to continue this conversation and I would be writing a letter to her head office.
I have read so many comments over here on this board, some saying not to write to them, but I am so mad at these people.
I have been involved with the internet for over 12 years, running blogs and forums and not once have I ever come across a situation like this one.
I have so many friends in the digital art world, who have had thier work published in so many books and they are doing work for movie companies- and on many occasions, if we find any one using thier work on thier web site- we usually write them a e.mail and explain to them- not only have they stolen some one elses work, they are breaking the copright law !
And on most cases, these people take down the Images involved- and some times they simply close down thier site- and the matter is closed !
But Gettyimages are using another simple method !- "Pay Up" and boy ! doesn't their letter look so proffesional.
Its a 8 page letter and no wonder my family member was shaking in his boots when he came to my house, with this demand for this kind of money- which is a months wage for this person with 3 children.
I await on a reply from Gettyimages, and I will not give in without a fight !!!!