Messages

316

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: March 14, 2014, 08:59:52 PM »

They are PDF scans but I have the full version of Acrobat reader that will see the documents and convert them back to text.  I do this to all files before I put them on Scribd.

Will the CD's permit text recognition?

317

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: March 13, 2014, 04:48:32 PM »

I received a reply for the WSAG today and they will be sending me the complaints on file for the last 12 months.  I was informed that there will be 12 CD's sent out.  Last years request yielded 5 CD's so on the surface it looks like the complaints are increasing. 

I will be sending a follow up letter after all complaints are received and the data added in asking what the threshold is before a business is investigated.

If you would like to read the letter or any of the previous complaints they may be accessed here: http://goo.gl/bKLykL or here: http://goo.gl/gBS9CI

The complaints will be made available as they arrive.

318

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Attorney advises to JUST IGNORE THE GETTY & McCORMACK LETTERS

« on: March 13, 2014, 09:25:30 AM »

Welcome to the forums erictwr,

Thank you for sharing your experience so far and your comments. I tend to agree with Matthew and he has covered the majority of what I was going to say as well.

From what I have read of your situation it sounds like ignoring the Getty and McCormack letters may be a valid option for you. I do want to stress however, every situation is unique in there is no one solution fits all when it comes to settlement demand letters so you should be careful when making what sounds like blanket statements.

When I am trying to help a new letter recipient I try to get as much information about their situation as possible and offer several different approaches to their situation. I also making sure they realize the final decision is ultimately there's and must be based upon their complete knowledge of the situation, personal ability to handle stress and increasingly threatening letters as well as other factors.

My personal opinion and preference is to not only respond once but to handle the situation myself up to the point I have no choice but to seek out legal advice/representation. Again, this is just my opinion and preference and I know that this is not right for every situation/person here on the forms.

As far as your lawyer/judge friend I respect his/her opinions but as Matthew said, I do not think that this person realizes everything that goes on here at Eli and why Eli works. I have communicated with letter recipients on the forum who have spoken to "lawyers" who did not know/specialized in copyright and IP law, who advised their clients to settle immediately.  I am not a lawyer nor would I try to give legal advice. I can only offer my opinions and I suggested reading the forms and asking questions and the person soon realized her situation was nowhere near as bad as their lawyer made it sound. If I remember correctly I believe this person ended up joining Oscar's defense letter program.

I hope you will continue to stick around and participate in the formus and keep us updated on your progress. I like and respect your "I'm not going to roll over for them" attitude as it is something we have in common. Just remember there is no one answer that covers everything.

Thanks again for sharing your story with us!

319

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Big Change at Getty -- Free Use

« on: March 08, 2014, 10:20:18 PM »

Thanks Lucia!

320

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: March 07, 2014, 08:25:26 PM »

If they are lumped in with Getty I will get those with the Getty Complaints.  A good percentage of the Getty complaints deal with Mr. McCormack. 

I was looking to see if any were falling through the cracks or if he had received any for the other companies he sends settlement demand letters out for.

321

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Big Change at Getty -- Free Use

« on: March 07, 2014, 08:18:53 PM »

I have not read the TOS for Getty's new program.  Does it say what the penalties are for a commercial violation?  Just wondering if they are going to use the TOS that you agreed to as a club to aid in collection/suits.

322

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Big Change at Getty -- Free Use

« on: March 06, 2014, 10:06:03 PM »

Extremely good points Robert.

It's a total trap. I am seeing a lot of buzz among the professional writers/bloggers I work with about the new "free" images. No one understands what "commercial use" means. They think that if you don't slap the image on a product for sale, it's "non commercial use"

Therein lies 1 major issue, Getty will determine what falls under "commercial use"..me simply having a link to my zazzle shop, could make my cr-trolls site appear "commercial"...this will be an epic fail on getty's part, and you can bet your ass that current "contributors" will once again start bailing en masse, as they won't be getting paid, but their images will be used...and the letters?? they'll still pumping those out, it's the only way getty makes any money, besides having big media partnerships.

323

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: March 06, 2014, 08:10:01 AM »

I heard from the Washington AG's office.  They should have the latest round of complaints ready for me in about 10 days.  once I receive them I will get them scanned and added to my Scribd account so they may be viewed.

324

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Big Change at Getty -- Free Use

« on: March 05, 2014, 10:36:43 PM »

I agree with Stinger, I am skeptical.  I want more to see them announce that they are changing the way they enforce their non-willful infringement claims.  They can increase their revenues by asking realistic and reasonable amounts for their images.

I offer Glen Carner as an example.  He changed his approach and we were all shocked and pleased, I can only assume he has continued with it as we have not had one single complaint against him here on ELI since he adopted his new kinder, gentler policy.

325

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Oscar is not Matthew's Daddy

« on: March 03, 2014, 12:59:52 PM »

ROTFL!  Right there with you Robert, wait till she's 18 and heading to college.

I have three sons - last thing I need is to be anyone else's Daddy!

Ha! you think that was hard, try having a daughter!!! endless drama, endless shopping, hair make-up..the list goes on..

with three sons you only have to worry about 3 dicks...with one or more daughter, you have to worry about EVERY dick out there! just sayin..

326

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Oscar is not Matthew's Daddy

« on: March 02, 2014, 09:25:41 PM »

So glad to see you back Matthew! 

327

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Copyright Compliance Specialist Ad at Glassdoor.com

« on: March 02, 2014, 02:50:42 PM »

Also some of the reviews are pretty good as well.....

"Very often hidden agenda of the senior management"
in 9 reviews
"Snarky, two faced middle management and a mickey mouse club mentality"
in 8 reviews
"Upper management has been there way too long and they don't take new ideas easily - not even when that's why they hired you"
in 6 reviews
"There's way too much play and not enough work, unless you're willing to work from 8am-6pm without lunch"
in 3 reviews
"There is an underlying class system at work at Getty Images and/or a 'good ole boys club'"
in 3 reviews

328

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Getty Email and Getty PDF Extortion Letter found!

« on: March 02, 2014, 09:42:00 AM »

Matthew,

Thank you for the clarification that these were follow-up emails. I was under the impression that this was the only communication the letter recipient received.

329

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: A win for the little guy

« on: March 02, 2014, 09:39:53 AM »

My guess is this is one of 2 things. If the photos were taken in conjunction with the story probably nobody wanted to go on camera. I know if a business where I worked was going to be on the local news in a story exposing and unethical business model I would not want my face shown there either. Even the person commenting on the story for the company would not let them use their name.

My other guess would be it is stock footage and again it is much easier to show an empty room than a roomful of people where you would need all those releases.

330

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: March 02, 2014, 12:20:03 AM »

I received a reply back from the Washington State Attorney General's Office. Looks like it has been passed to the correct department and I should hear something more soon.

They said they can not find any complaints and the McCormack request, I have either phrased the request incorrectly or they are all lumped in with Getty.  I have many complaints that came along with the Getty requests in the past.  I will research this and possibly resubmit the request.

Here is a copy of the letter I received.

February 25, 2014

Mr. Gregory A. Troy
3023 Ash Court
Mason, OH 45040

Dear Mr. Troy:

This letter is to acknowledge your public records request which we received in our office via email on February 18, 2014.  You requested the following:

1.   . . . copies of all complaints filed against Getty Images of based in Seattle Washington for since January 2013 to present.

2.   I would also like copies of all complaints filed against McCormack IP Law of Seattle Washington (all complaints please) McCormack IP Law is based at 617 Lee Street, Seattle, WA 98109.  Records for this Law firm may include Timothy McCormack, Lauren Kingston.

Regarding category #1, we have searched our records and found that the only potentially responsive documents will come from our Consumer Protection Division.  Therefore, your request has been reassigned to Mr. Beck Meyer of that Division because they keep their own database of consumer complaints.  Mr. Meyer will contact you directly.  Please direct all further communication regarding this request to:

Mr. Beck Meyer
800 5thAvenue, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 389-3849 
[email protected]

Regarding category #2, despite our search of the places likely to contain responsive materials, we were unable to locate any records of complaints filed regarding the entities named by you. 
 
The Headquarters' portion of your request is now closed.  If you have any questions, please contact the undersigned. 

Sincerely,
S. GREENE
Senior Public Records Officer
Public Records & Constituent Services

/sg

cc: Beck Meyer, Consumer Protection Division


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 4:28 PM
To: ATG WWW Email AGO temporary
Subject: Contact AGO - Public Records Request

The following message has been submitted to staff at the Attorney General's Office.  While we make every effort to respond promptly, depending on the complexity of your request and the volume of messages received, it may take more time for our staff to respond.  We appreciate your patience. Please do not respond directly to this message the as ATG WWW Email AGO mailbox is unmonitored.  If you need to reach us again, please return to this form:
https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ContactForm.aspx

Troy, Gregory A.

Email Address: [email protected]

Address:
3023 Ash Court
Mason OH 45040

Address Type: Home

Phone: 513 XXX-XXXX
Phone Type: Home

Subject: Public Records Request

Message: Greetings,

I would like to request copies of all complaints filed against Getty Images of based in Seattle Washington for since January 2013 to present.

I would also like copies of all complaints filed against McCormack IP Law of Seattle Washington (all complaints please)  McCormack IP Law is based at 617 Lee Street, Seattle, WA 98109.  Records for this Law firm may include Timothy McCormack, Lauren Kingston.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and if you require any additional information please feel free to contact me.

Reagards,

Gregory Troy


Previous Contact: Yes
Date: 01/22/2013

Regarding:
Requesting complaints filed against Getty Images for the previous year.

Declared By Name and Date:
Name: Gregory Troy
Date: 02/15/2014

Submitted on: 2/15/2014 4:28:14 PM

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