Messages

1561

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Do I have to prove innocence? Interesting spot with Getty.

« on: July 30, 2012, 05:46:08 PM »

I'd like to see the letter in which thell request you get a letter from the IRS in regards to the fund and if it's real or not. They just don't seem to get it's not upon you to prove anything...bunch of ass-hats and morons..was the letter signed by anyone?? or just the generic "coptright Compliance Team" line of bull..they don't even have the nerve to put a signature on these crazy letters!

1562

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Do I have to prove innocence? Interesting spot with Getty.

« on: July 30, 2012, 05:43:58 PM »

Trust us when we tell you, they won't prove they own the image, they have been asked too many times to count, they will only supply you with "proof" when it goes to court...only problem here is that it won't go to court...they have never filed suit over 1 image. ( I'm not saying they won't, they just haven't yet) They use this as another scare tactic to take your money.

1563

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Multiple Roles on ELI and the bigger copyright extortion fight

« on: July 30, 2012, 03:01:00 PM »

Nothing I have done can compare to what Lucia is doing technically...I've simply blocked every israel IP range at the firewall / server level..most users cannot do this for several reason, and some users like Lucia have a worldwide audience..blocking by IP range is effective, but has it's downside. IF piscout were to move the the US I'd be starting all over, but I also don't see that happening, they would then have to play by our rules in some respects.

1564

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: GETTY IMAGES CONTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT

« on: July 30, 2012, 02:51:47 PM »

This should be available in the public record...i'll have a look at pacer and report back first chance I get.

It would be nice to see "Exhibit 4" from the Getty vs Advernet case.
That contains the redacted copies of contributor agreements related to the case.

S.G.

1565

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: "Stone Collection" images part of Getty vs Advernet loss

« on: July 30, 2012, 02:16:27 PM »

Also worth noting is the fact that the "contract" was apparently digitally signed, which is generally acceptable, however, it was never by signed by anyone else, digitally or otherwise...contract null and void!

1566

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: GETTY IMAGES CONTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT

« on: July 30, 2012, 01:50:09 PM »

This "sample" (see the "sample" watermark) agreement has been online for quite a while.
I recall that a person claiming to be a "lawyer" tried to use this to reinforce the "Getty has only exclusive agreements" angle on ELI.
I think that Getty keeps this on-line in order to give the impression that all of its contracts are similar to this.

S.G.

Which is EXACTLY why I want the real McCoy...a recent one..and I WILL get one...man on a mission!

1567

Getty Images Letter Forum / GETTY IMAGES CONTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT

« on: July 30, 2012, 08:56:06 AM »

I'm trying to get my hands on an actual contract from 2012, in the meantime I'll ask the community to dissect and comment on this agreement from April of 2011. Getty continually suggest they cannot provide information due to a confidentiality agreement, which has prompted me to look around a little bit...

Note that this document states that Getty in incorporated in the State of New York, it may be beneficial going forward to submit complaints to the Attorney General in EVERY state Getty is licensed to do business in addition to Washington.

There will be new threads concerning complaints, that will cover such topics as:
what to include, who to send to, what NOT to do, the overall process from start to finsh, etc...

http://contributors.gettyimages.com/img/articles/downloads/2011%20contributor%20agreement%20v.4.0%20(d)%20sample-english.pdf

We'll get this document added to library ASAP, since it appears sometime when we post certain item they seem todis-appear rather quickly.

1568

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: July 30, 2012, 08:08:23 AM »

I thinks it's safe to say in your case Greg, that the image may be registered already, as it's part of the "Stone Collection" however, there is a good chance there are issues with this registration as it's registered as a compilation....

Now that you mention it I think you are right about the 3 months to register your works which meant from the date of that letter they had 12 business days to get it done before their 3 months expired and my demand letter outlining my campaign against Mr. Bieker and Getty was sent after the deadline had just passed.

1569

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: July 30, 2012, 07:45:37 AM »

Douglas Bieker completely ignored the request at hand. It was requested that agreement between the photog and Getty be made available, Greg and his lawyer also offered to sign a confidentiality agreement to see this so called "agreement"....Bieker completely skirted this question. I have my doubts that a "confidentiality" agreement even exists.
I'm looking into getting my hands on this document (if it exists in the frist place)

As far as the registration, they don't have to have this is order prior to first contact,I think ( if memory serves) they have 3 months after the infringement is found to get their act together. But we know they use empty threats of lawsuits and very rarely file any suits anyway, so getting these images registered is not on their priority list, not to mention it's the artist that has to register them not Getty in most instances.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong about the 3 month window please.

1570

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Do I have to prove innocence? Interesting spot with Getty.

« on: July 30, 2012, 07:22:03 AM »

One of Getty's favorite tactics, is to put the burden of proof on the recipient. They forget that in the U.S. it's innocent until proven guilty.. You have to prove NOTHING to them, that is their job! Demand they send you "proof" they own  the image in question, Demand to see the copyright registration information, DEMAND to see a signed contract by both parties giving Getty rights to the image in question...
They won't.
Tell them with out these items, they have no claim, and a that a complaint to the Washington Attorney General, as well as you home state will be forthcoming..Then follow thru with this, there are a couple of good threads related to submitting complaints and it a topic which we hope to be discussing at lenght in the next couple of weeks.

I too would be interested in seeing this letter and Getty's response!

1571

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: ELI Factor: Episode 1 Premieres!

« on: July 29, 2012, 09:09:31 PM »

I think I'd need a warm-up interview first...maybe Glen Carner would do one with me..we do have this long lost connection.

1572

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Multiple Roles on ELI and the bigger copyright extortion fight

« on: July 28, 2012, 08:30:35 PM »

I agree 100% we all have our place, and I'll throw in a couple of other titles that were not mentioned...I even have my own list of candidates for these titles, or least I associate certain forum members as the goto people for certain aspects

Cult Leader - M. Chan
Resident Expert - Oscar
Technical Guru - Lucia
Voice of Reason - McFilms
Legal Researcher - SG
Troll - Glen Carner ( just had to throw him in here)

I think it's safe to say that the rest of the regulars all have the titles of:
Advocate, Activist, Defender,Community Follower

1573

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Getty Images and Complaints filed with the Washington State Attorney General

« on: July 28, 2012, 05:54:54 PM »

You own me a keyboard from the diet gingerale I spit all over it laughing

Please supply a receipt for said keyboard, credit card statement showing the charge, and proof that this keyboard is indeed being used by you exclusively on this particular machine....or you can pound sand!

1574

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Getty Images and Complaints filed with the Washington State Attorney General

« on: July 28, 2012, 03:57:53 PM »

Greg Troy:
"Still, I'd like to try, with your permission. I'll send a letter a week. They can't ignore me forever."

Matt Chan:
They sure can, but you write your    letters if it makes you happy. I'll even mail 'em for you, how's that?

1575

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Possible reasons for class action suit against Getty in the USA

« on: July 28, 2012, 03:41:01 PM »

Iv'e heard of more than person claiming Getty is "suing me" when in fact, they only received a "demand letter"...2 very different beasts.