Messages

286

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Just ignore them

« on: January 13, 2014, 08:51:13 AM »

I like that you have come back to tell that story Kyle.

It is difficult for most people to do what you say.  The threat seems so ominous.  Good people want resolution.  However, after watching Getty and McCormack's behavior for about two years now, I am beginning to think there is merit in what you propose for the small offender.

Thanks for your input!

287

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Got the Getty Letter

« on: December 23, 2013, 08:59:46 AM »

I would make the fact that you have already provided proof, the basis of your complaint letters.

If one steps back and looks at what is really going on here, it is easy to see that these guys are motivated by the money - not by correcting mis-appropriated copyright issues.

Unfortunately, the agencies we complain to tend not to look at things over a broad swath of time.  They look at individual incidents and think that they are isolated mistakes rather than a carefully thought out plan to enrich the trolls.

The only way we can combat this is with a deluge of complaint letters so large that it would be impossible not to see the big picture.

288

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: I got a letter today

« on: December 21, 2013, 10:53:47 AM »

It is still not enough, Greg.

289

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: I got a letter today

« on: December 20, 2013, 09:44:21 AM »

Great post DAMET!

Attorneys for AFP and Getty argued at the trial that their clients were duped by a man named Lisandro Suero who stole the pictures from Morel's TwitPic account, then re-posted them under his own name. AFP and Getty then unwittingly distributed the images with Suero's credit, and did their best to correct the error as soon as they realized their mistake, their attorneys argued. - See more at: http://www.pdnonline.com/news/Morel-v-AFP-Copyrig-9598.shtml#sthash.jjETzEsA.dpuf

It strikes me that it is AFP and Getty's business to not be duped.  If they are going to make money by distributing digital images, they better damn well have the rights to distribute those images.  I only wish that this verdict was left to a judge who more likely would have known a bit more about trolls and their collection tactics, and might have made a larger statement with the verdict.

1.2 million dollars might sound like a lot to a photographer, but it is a pittance to a company like Getty.  Oh well, at least this verdict is a start.

290

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Here's Another Extortion Letter

« on: December 16, 2013, 08:56:43 AM »

I would scan them into an adobe format.

291

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Beating them up from Canada

« on: December 10, 2013, 03:33:44 PM »

So far, I really like the way you play this game, Canuckistan.

Please keep us informed as it progresses.  Every day, I am convinced that there is more than one way to deal with a huckster.

292

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: I got a letter today

« on: December 07, 2013, 11:25:36 AM »

Robert is correct.  Read all you can here because Getty often makes claims for images that they do not have the rights to.  They make their letters sound real scary.

The truth of the matter is that it would probably cost them more to take you to court than they would ever have to gain if your financial situation is what you say it is.

The more you read and follow this web site, the more empowered you will feel, and the better decision you can make based on what is right for you.

293

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Recieved the letter sometimes back , Now in a dilema on what to do ! :(

« on: December 03, 2013, 05:41:59 PM »

I suggest that you thoroughly read through this Getty forum to understand how Getty works and to better assess the risks to you of whatever response you choose.

You need to realize that you are in this and they are not going to just go away.  You have choices in how you treat this.  Some cost more money than others.  Some cost more time than others.  The more you know about Getty and their modus operandi, the better choices you can make for yourself.

294

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: MasterFiles Recent Victory. (If You Want to Call It That)

« on: November 28, 2013, 10:53:07 AM »

A great victory for Masterfile.  I hope they win enough cases like this one to put them out of business - permanently.

Where is that sarcasm font?  I can never find it when I need it.

295

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Recent activity from getty is escalated

« on: November 28, 2013, 10:49:56 AM »

TWT, Greg gives good advice.

Also, you should be advised that if Getty has turned this over to a collection agency, you should inform them that this is a claim, not a debt.  Let them know that Getty has refused your requests for proof of that claim and that they are not to contact you about this again.

If they do bother you, I suggest complaint letters to every agency you can think of.  The more of their time you waste answering agencies, the less time they have to pursue people like you, me, and the rest on this forum.

296

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Today I Received my "Letter"

« on: November 27, 2013, 12:18:15 PM »

Scrollgirl, you say you will be consulting with a local attorney.

Be sure you use an attorney who specializes in digital images and copyright law.  Too often, we find that local attorneys simply recommend settling because they do not understand all of the nuances of digital copyright law.

This plays right into the hands of the trolls.  Getty's price points are such that a local attorney might say that it would be cheaper to settle at say $900 than have them write two letters and make one phone call.  That's exactly the result Getty wants.  What they don't want is to face an attorney willing to stand up to them. 

If this doesn't make sense to you, read as much of this forum as you can before making your decision.

297

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Terms of Service Prohibiting Crawlers and Bots?

« on: November 26, 2013, 03:22:47 PM »

I am not a lawyer, but my thought is that "breaking and entering" is handled in a different court than the one that handles digital image copyright issues.

You might be right, but you might have to take someone to court to prove that you are right.  Maybe someone with more legal experience can set the record straight here.

298

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: "it was an honest mistake" says Getty Images

« on: November 25, 2013, 02:09:42 PM »

AMEN, Perplexed!

299

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: "it was an honest mistake" says Getty Images

« on: November 23, 2013, 12:31:21 PM »

It is nice to see that a judge is holding companies that should know better accountable for their actions.  I like the part about it being the top end of the spectrum for an award.

The only negative, I fear, is that these guys might appeal.  I hope if they lose the appeal they can stand to lose more than the $1.2M.  Does anyone know if that is possible?

300

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Got my first letter, yay.

« on: November 20, 2013, 12:49:08 PM »

I agree.  Lucia's response ROCKS!