Messages

16

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Recieved Letter from getty

« on: March 25, 2013, 11:30:30 AM »

I have read many posts on the forum and have watched the videos. I have had the image removed and cleared from google and web-archive.org.

I probably should write back to Getty to state my position and all. I am just looking at $200 to be a fair amount. The image is of a generic handshake, market value of it is seriously less (.20/yr up to .70/yr)

I will read more and see what tips from successful letters and positions I can gather.

Any links to threads on here would be good. Lots to look at and go through.

17

Getty Images Letter Forum / Recieved Letter from getty

« on: March 25, 2013, 08:46:07 AM »

So I have had my website up for a while. Getty sent a Unauthorized Use Notification to me stating that one image on my site is part of their catalog.

I have removed the image.

The image in question was similar to a host of images on the web (search "hand shake" + jpg)

This image was no better or worse than any image that cam back from that search. However, there is no image of notification, or watermark or anything that would suggest the image was licensed.

I have tried to ensure to a high degree that images used on my site were in the public domain and free to use.

Getty is looking to me for $800+ immediately and of course remove the image.

I was planning on contacting Getty and offer them a settlement of $200.

I was considering asking them for MD5 hashes and actual date the image was added to their catalog. The MD5 hash is to validate their ownership of the image. The date the image was added to their collection is to understand better if the image I used was ever in the public domain to begin with. 

Any suggestions?