Messages

1561

Getty Images Letter Forum / MOVED: Need Help in the UK.

« on: March 25, 2012, 02:26:29 AM »

This topic has been moved to UK Getty Images Letter Forum.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=868.0

1562

Getty Images Letter Forum / MOVED: UK Query

« on: March 25, 2012, 02:26:12 AM »

This topic has been moved to UK Getty Images Letter Forum.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=2629.0

1563

Getty Images Letter Forum / MOVED: UK Newbie: A possible scam to be wary of

« on: March 25, 2012, 02:25:43 AM »

This topic has been moved to UK Getty Images Letter Forum.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=2653.0

1564

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Getting Help With Your UK Extortion Letter

« on: March 25, 2012, 02:24:50 AM »

Since 2008, we’ve had thousands of readers discover the ELI website and ELI Forums after they have received a Getty Images (or other stock photo) “extortion letter”. Many have attempted to contact us through phone and email asking for help. Early on, we tried to help but eventually there were too many requests for help and the help being requested overstepped reasonable time boundaries. So, we can no longer provide free personal, one-on-one help. However, you do have several help options.

As of March 25, 2012, we are expanding our forums to assist the UK community.

If you get a UK extortion letter, this is what you need to do:

1. The very first thing you need to do is to CALM DOWN and TAKE A BREATH! Tens of thousands of these extortion letters have gone out over the years. You are far from being alone. Getting an extortion letter from out of the blue is upsetting but not the end of the world. For most people and their situation, the bark is much worse than the bite.

2. This one is a no-brainer. You should immediately remove all copies of the allegedly infringing images from your web server. Even the "hidden" ones. If it is anywhere on your web server, you are at risk.

3. GET EDUCATED. Do it as soon as possible! Don’t say you don’t have the time. You better make the time. It is you or your company at risk here. You received the letter so now YOU have a problem to deal with. It is YOUR problem. The problem will not go away by itself.  Make the time to GET EDUCATED.

4. Read, browse, and search the ELI Forums. It is FREE! It is an online database with a goldmine of information, advice, commentary, and research. Help yourself to it.

5. Watch the ELI Video Interviews & Updates to get ideas from the U.S situation. It is FREE! There are hours of recorded information to bring yourself up to speed.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/eli-interviews-updates/

6. Sign up to become an ELI Forum user. It is FREE! Post your situation and story BUT be aware no one is going to hold your hand and take you through it step-by-step. You will receive some general guidance and suggestions but it will be up to you to carry out the details. The majority of people get enough information to make a relatively informed decision on how to proceed.

Special Remarks for UK Letter Recipients:
We don't currently provide any "official" support options or take an "official" position on UK extortion letter matters. The reason for that is because the entire ELI Defense Team is based in the U.S. and we have no direct knowledge in the UK environment.

We will eventually build towards that as we identify people we believe can be helpful to the UK community. At the moment, we cannot endorse anyone. However, we believe there is still great value when smart minds come together to share ideas. You can then formulate a solution and a course of action for yourself.

The UK forum was "born" on March 25, 2012 so it is still in its infancy. But we expect it will mature into a better support community over time. So share your stories. You never know who might jump into answer you or offer insights into your situation.

1565

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Show Your Support: A PayPal Contribution

« on: March 25, 2012, 02:13:53 AM »

The extensive time and hard work put into this website and forum has been entirely voluntary. The information we have diligently researched, gathered, and openly shared is to assist the ever-growing community of Getty Images Extortion Letter recipients. To date, this website continues to be a free service.

ExtortionLetterInfo.com has become the definitive informational website in the U.S. to combat Getty's extortionistic letter practices.

At the suggestion of one our enthusiastic supporters, I have set up a PayPal Contribution Button (throughout the website) for those of you who wish to show your appreciation and gratitude by contributing and assisting our ongoing cause to fight the Getty Images Extortion Letters.

Help our cause by supporting the ongoing work and updates to this website by making a contribution.

I recommend a small contribution of $10.00 to $25.00 if you have found useful and valuable information that assisted you in defending yourself against Getty Images. You may contribute as frequently as your prefer. But just realize this is an ongoing fight. I need ongoing community support to continue work on this website.

Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and supporting in our cause.

Matthew Chan (Host of ELI Website & Discussion Forum)

1566

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Welcome! Please Read the Rules Before You Post!

« on: March 25, 2012, 02:08:30 AM »

Welcome to the ExtortionLetterInfo.com Discussion Forum. Here you can share your story and discuss your situation as it relates to the UK Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter.

Because of the growing number of discussion topics, we ask that you do a SEARCH of related topics before you post a question. Often a similar question or scenario has been asked before regarding Getty Images. It is impossible to provide precise customized answers to each and every person here on the forums.

This forum is intended for intelligent on-topic discussions only.
* No ranting, raving, or cursing.
* No spamming or advertising here.
* No personal attacks or name-calling.
* No URLs, email or physical addresses in signatures.

Thank you!

P.S. Please note that all UK-related posts and discussions have been moved to its own discussion area.

1567

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: sure is quiet lately...

« on: March 24, 2012, 01:00:27 AM »

You caught me.  It will become even more obvious of my auditioning attempts when I do my videos.  And believe me I have a lot to say on the matter.

This whole thing has generated HUGE unprecedented numbers for the ELI website and many more people know about what we do BEFORE someone gets an extortion letter. Typically, people learn about us AFTER someone gets an extortion letter.

But despite the HUGE numbers, those folks don't come into the forums.  They might peek in but most don't understand what we do.  It's sort of funny. We have one website but two sets of people hanging out in two totally different online areas.

Poor buddhapi is having to pull double-duty jumping back and for between Hollywood extortion areas and the ELI Forums and we all know the spectacular pay I lavish on him. He just lets me keep pushing him around. I will never quite understand it. LOL.

Seriously Matt.....You are auditioning for the show aren't you?
 

1568

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: UK Getty Forum Coming Soon!

« on: March 24, 2012, 12:54:06 AM »

It will be interesting to see how it evolves. I believe the way people perceive things has a lot to do with the culture people come from. Overall, I feel the people in the UK are a bit more conservative and certainly more "respectful" of government.

Here in the U.S., we challenge everything. No one is off-limits. If I thought I could become reasonably knowledgeable of the UK environment without having to exert a huge amount of time and energy to do so, I would take a strong position as I did here in the U.S.  But that job has to be someone else's.  Most of us will be spectators watching the conversation.

Nice to hear that UK folks will have their own forum.

I kind of chuckled at how Oscar quoted Pink Floyd in another posting "Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way".
I guess that on a rainy and cold Monday afternoon, the English can demoralize each other into paying Getty .
It appears that they're still in the mode of "somewhere, someplace, somebody might sue down the line, so it's best to pay".
Maybe Floyd should have sang, "Giving in with quiet resignation, the pussies pay".

I think that we've (the Americas) left that stage far behind a long time ago, and for good reason.
Actual "evidence" is better than "opinion" any day.
So, I'd like to see people post links and quote actual cases on there instead of just offering cancerous "the sky is falling" opinions.

S.G.

1569

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: UK Getty Forum Coming Soon!

« on: March 23, 2012, 04:08:38 PM »

Yes, I am a stickler for keeping crappy behavior and troublemakers out.

Dammit, proper decorum and behavior..again?! I nominate SG as the enforcer of "proper decorum"! 

1570

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Beat the Getty Images Extortion Letter: Special Report!

« on: March 23, 2012, 04:06:54 PM »

A quick update: it looks like I won't be releasing the BGIEL report in March 2012 as I planned. I was ontrack until I got involved with a Hollywood Extortion case. You can read about it here:

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/category/reality-steve-lawsuit-2/

I still have every intentions of releasing the beta version for the BGIEL report at a special price to get it out there but it will be postponed until April 2012.

I will also be establishing the new UK Getty Forum very soon and I still have to figure out how that forum will operate and who might be involved given that NONE of us are "experts" in the UK environment.

Believe me, I hate delaying the BGIEL report because I have other projects I need to start writing on but when unexpected events come up, I have to move on them.

Thanks for your patience. However, for those who absolutely cannot wait, I am still taking ELI Support Calls for those who need it.

1571

Getty Images Letter Forum / UK Getty Forum Coming Soon!

« on: March 23, 2012, 03:58:41 PM »

For whatever reason, traffic for UK related issues seems to be picking up and more people are peeking in and jumping into the discussions. Since there seems to be demand and interest from our friends across the Atlantic to hang out with us, I will make arrangements to accommodate them.

There will probably be a different set of rules for the UK Forum and it will likely evolve depending on who steps up to "leadership" positions. The quality of posts and the background of participants will likely determine how I might identify those people who might be interested in becoming volunteer ELI Defense Team members. If there is no interest from anyone, then readers of that forum will have to self-select and self-determine the advice they follow.

The U.S. ELI Defense Team will simply moderate for proper decorum and behavior.

I welcome our new UK visitors and will do my best to put something in place for all of you. It might take me a few days to make this happen but it will come.

1572

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: UK Query

« on: March 23, 2012, 03:50:54 PM »

Or lack of a fully-developed spinal column as the case may be...

I think that how much people pay is inversely proportional to their IQ.

S.G.

1573

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Need Help in the UK.

« on: March 23, 2012, 03:48:19 PM »

I have not yet spoke with anyone in the UK due to time constraints and the difficulty in scheduling (time zone differences). I may launch the UK Getty Forum before that happens and put out a disclaimer.

Nick is someone I have been in dialog with to help on the UK Getty Forum and so he is first in line for me to talk to.

That is the best we can do for now.

Hi,
I posted my situation earlier today.  I ask was there communication between the UK Lawyer and Mat & Oscar? Was anything set up that we in the Uk can look at?

Going back to my post earlier today I have drafted a letter to 'Simons Muirhead & Burton' who are the laywers/solicitors acting for Getty UK.  It would be great for someone of more knowledge to have a look at it for me, and give some suggestions.

1574

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Need Help in the UK.

« on: March 23, 2012, 03:45:23 PM »

That is good to know there are others such as yourself actively discussing and helping the UK situation. From the few pages I looked over, the discourse seems to be civil. But I want to warn everyone that the shenanigans I saw on the FSB Forums from 3-4 years ago will not be tolerated here on the ELI Forums. I don't typically censor or delete posts but if there is venom flying opposing our defense discussions, they can simply go elsewhere and spew it.

I will probably open up a UK Getty Forum soon. There seems to be more interest for a UK Getty Forum. The only issue is that we would have to put a disclaimer that ELI has no "official" position in UK matters. ELI as a defense group in the U.S. works on very similar principles and positions. We tend to influence and guide the discussions on U.S. issues.  It would be very different in the Getty UK Forum. Certainly, some of us would occasionally participate but it would not be likely any of us would consider ourselves experts.

Stay tuned for more announcements on the UK Forum.

I'm a  retired UK lawyer,now acting as an online mediator (www.themediationroom.com) .

There is a lengthy thread on UK Business Forum  to which I have posted comment on the UK situation. I am pleased to find this Forum and would be happy to contribute to a UK thread here. Whilst the laws and procedures may differ there are similar issues of evidence to share.

I am holding a webinar on the 12th January for UK recipients of image library threats (whether from Getty, Corbis, Masterfile etc)- details on page 14 of the UKBF thread.

1575

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: sure is quiet lately...

« on: March 22, 2012, 03:58:50 PM »

For anyone who might be curious, my attention has been temporarily turned away to a public Hollywood extortion case relating to the "Bachelor" TV series. I am running the PR campaign to stop the lawsuit. However, I am still doing ELI support calls for people who need help.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/category/reality-steve-lawsuit-2/