Messages

31

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Where to complain about Masterfile's Extortion and Abuse of US Copyright Law

« on: August 12, 2011, 02:16:22 PM »

When I read posts like this, I catch myself thinking "wow, yes, we definitely should contact these institutions regarding the issue", and then I think "and what to complain about? about that my husband used an image without proper license and MF tried to recover their "damages"?"
Yes, what they are doing is not ethic, and they ask too much, yes, that's how they make money. But they act under the Law. I agree, that we have to complain in order to get attention, but the complain should be reasonable, contain trustworthy information about their activity, have necessary proves for complains and be referred to original resources if possible (like copyright law), in order to show that what they are doing and/or how they are doing this is not right.
I do wish to complain to Attorney General, FBI, etc. I am just looking the proper way to do this.
I do wish to bring public attention to this issue and to warn other "potential" infringers about what can happen. And I try to work it out if I can.

32

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: $9,000 for 1 image! Photo Attorney Extortion Letter by Carolyn Wright's law firm

« on: August 12, 2011, 01:08:16 PM »

Oscar had mentioned that "what they are doing is spending lots of money lobbying Congress to allow compilation registration to serve for registration of the individual items contained in the compilation. Once that passes, Getty could register its entire catalog at one time as "the Getty Catalog Compilation", paying a single fee to the copyright office and instantly get protection for all of its millions of images." What do you think, how likely this will pass? And what can we do to prevent or dispute this? If this happens, this will tie a knot on innocent infringers' neck......And almost no way to get out of this. This will double or triple their earnings from infringements.
Also, I was thinking, and it was written somewhere here in the forum, about what if to make MF or Getty to put copyright sign on every single image they have in their collections, and require this sign to be remained on the images even if their clients pay for license and use it on their website.  Well, yes, it can prevent many potential infringement (which is probably not what they are looking for, as I can see), which can be good.  But this will also eliminate the state of innocent infringement then, as you cannot say "I used it because I didn't know" as there was a copyright sign. This can give MF the power to ask for full $150000 for willful infringement. What do you guys think? We all have to think in advance of what effect our actions can have in future....

33

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Class Action Lawsuit Against Masterfile.

« on: August 12, 2011, 12:26:40 PM »

Oscar is doing a great job! So, don't say so if you don't know what you are talking about. Research what the usual legal fees are. And take into consideration, that not every attorney will agree to help even for a usual legal fee. We have contacted several attorneys. Half of them never responded, the rest - refused to help due to cost efficiency reason. 

34

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Ken MacDonald of Masterfile trying to extort $4000 for a small image. BIG SCAM!

« on: August 12, 2011, 12:23:02 PM »

Thank you, Matt, for your post! I do fully agree that ignoring is not an option. If you ignore and decline any cooperation in resolving the issue, and then MF have a lawsuit against you, then it will not look good in front of the judge, and it will prove that legal fees were needed in order to recover damages. So, it is always better to try to negotiate. And that's what are doing.

35

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile trying to extort $4000 for a thumbnail image. What a scam!

« on: August 11, 2011, 10:45:02 PM »

Don't worry, I am not a paranoid because of Masterfile. I am trying to fight and to find a compromise. I have learnt how to think without panic, to be cold and calm. Thanks to this forum!
I am not afraid of being sued anymore. If Masterfile decides to do this, my husband will go to a court and fight.

36

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile trying to extort $4000 for a thumbnail image. What a scam!

« on: August 11, 2011, 11:43:21 AM »

not a scam! so be careful!

37

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Muensch case

« on: August 11, 2011, 11:41:21 AM »

Well, we communicated with them by e-mails only, so we can save everything as proves which can be used in court if such occurs. Also, they didn't responded for about 1.5 months after they confirmed the receipt of e-mail from my husband - they said: "we will contact you by e-mail shortly". Then, after 1.5 month, they emailed that we failed to get their retroactive license in time..... Since we had and have everything saved in e-mail inbox, we could argue with them about it. So, you better e-mail them again, saying, let's say, please confirm you received my e-mail.

38

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Is MF's John MacDougall on vacation? It's been a bit quiet here...

« on: August 10, 2011, 03:45:56 PM »

Ha! Who knows! We will see soon

39

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Profile sniffers

« on: August 10, 2011, 03:41:40 PM »

Well, yes, so far there was no any spam message in this forum....

40

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Muensch case

« on: August 10, 2011, 03:39:13 PM »

I would like to know the answer for this question as well.
As for the way to access the images from US Copyright office, you can make a request, you will have to pay for this though

41

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Profile sniffers

« on: August 08, 2011, 12:36:09 PM »

That's interesting! But I am sure too, that guests cannot see registered profiles.

42

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile - in need of urgent advice

« on: August 08, 2011, 12:21:46 PM »

Thank you so much, Oscar! I will study Muensch case.

43

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

« on: August 02, 2011, 08:17:02 PM »

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/index.php/topic,287.0.html
read this.
and welcome to this forum - this should help

44

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Photographer responded to my email ....

« on: August 02, 2011, 08:09:04 PM »

S.G., thanks for the post.
Matt, thanks for your word to calm down. Indeed, these fights are not for this place.

45

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Photographer responded to my email ....

« on: August 02, 2011, 05:03:07 PM »

If so, if they do not own the copyright and cannot get statutory damages, then how come that they were awarded from Country Cycling? Default Judgement?