Messages

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Can we start a "Success Mission Accomplished" Thread for success stories?

« on: August 03, 2011, 04:20:24 PM »

Hi!  In reading through hundreds of posts yesterday after receiving my own Getty settlement demand letter for over $ 2,000 for the use of 3 images, I'm wondering how Getty tends to react when receiving a Oscar Michelen letter.  In reading the postings, it appears if one goes about dealing with Getty alone, Getty tends to escalate their attempts at recovery.  Can anyone who has used Mr. Michelen's letter tell me what their experience has been as far as any additional attempts made by Getty for payment.  I understand by going with Mr. Michelen's letter, Getty must route all future contacts through Mr. Michelen's office, but what I'm wondering is if any future demands by Getty seem to dissipate or go away entirely, or do their tactics at recovery remain the same (typically escalate), but the escalated attempts just route through Mr. Michelen's office instead of to the individual/company they are seeking payment from.  Obviously, Getty has to be aware of who Mr. Michelen is, so I would assume Getty may have a tendency to go away after receiving one of his letters, seeking easier "prey" elsewhere, but thus far I've not been able to locate any posts that would indicate as much.  I've only come across general posts that people are happier when they've chosen to go with Mr. Michelen's letter approach, but no insight/comments as to how Mr. Michelen's letter tends to affect (if at all) Getty's typical escalating demand efforts.  Any insight along these lines would be most helpful.  I'm hoping a Mr. Michelen letter will help deter Getty. 

17

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Seems they've lowered the demand amount

« on: August 03, 2011, 03:28:23 AM »

Hi Katerina!  Thanks so much for the link!  I actually discovered the link after I posted and I have since read it through in its entirety.  There were a couple of places where OM said he would be providing an update (in both the Liability and Damages sections), but I didn't see any updates provided and the original posting by OM was a few years back.  Not sure if any updates are listed on the home page perhaps? 

18

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Unfavorable Court Rulings ?? Getty ??

« on: August 03, 2011, 03:19:22 AM »

This question is directed at Mr. Michelen for clarification please.  In #3 question posted above by Parkerbenson (asking if your letter approach proved any more successful than simply removing an image and then ignoring the demand letter) you responded back you did not know, but that any further contact would need to go through your office.  So my question is this:  I've been searching through a lengthy history of posts on this topic of Getty demand letters and it appears if one receives a demand letter from Getty and does not remit payment, Getty will escalate their attempts to receive payment through additional settlement demand letters, collections, attorneys, etc.  So if one uses your letter approach and any further contact then needs to go through your office, what has your office found with regard to how Getty typically responds to receipt of your letter?  Does your office tend to continue to receive these escalating settlement demand letters, as an individual person/company may very well continue to receive, or has your office found that once Getty receives your letter, they typically tend go away and do not continue sending escalating threats to sue if payment is not received within a given time frame? When I read Parkerbenson's question (#3), my interpretation of his question was that this (what I'm asking in this post) was what he was trying to figure out.  From reading this website and posts, obviously Getty is aware of who you are, so I'm wondering (as I think Parkerbenson was) if your office has found that a letter from you acts as a deterrent to Getty, causing them to cease additional collection actions that they would other partake in.  Thanks so much for any guidance in this regard!     

19

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Seems they've lowered the demand amount

« on: August 02, 2011, 08:09:20 PM »

I received a letter late June from Getty demanding over $ 2,000 for 3 pictures.  No C&D letter, though the images have since been removed by my company.  My question is, has Getty actually sued any one and, if so, have they received a judgment?  I'm doing a lot of research on this topic on the internet, but all I have come up with is a lot of people are receiving these demand letters.  Haven't come across anything further than people receiving demand letters.  What does this company do when their letters are ignored?  How far does this company go?  Does anyone have any first hand experience?  Any suggestions on what action to take, or not take, from past history with Getty and their attempts to terrify people into paying amounts far in excess of what Getty normally charges for use of their pictures?