Messages

421

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile Letter

« on: June 28, 2012, 05:56:31 PM »

The collection agency thing has been discussed many times in the past.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/the-ncs-settlement-letter-ignore-or-write-to-them-to-dispute-debt/

S.G.

422

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Hello and I just got a letter from Getty

« on: June 28, 2012, 01:44:56 PM »

Great point made my April/Matt!!  ...and it's made in a "got Getty letter... wut do?" topic.
Perhaps, stock images houses and lawyers shouldn't be in the "debt collection" or "alleged debt collection business at all"?

S.G.

423

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Getty & Collection Agencies

« on: June 28, 2012, 11:37:46 AM »

We've discussed collection agencies at some length on here in the past.
Including:
http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/the-ncs-settlement-letter-ignore-or-write-to-them-to-dispute-debt/

Also, Matt did a lengthy write-up on collection agencies; perhaps, somebody could post a link to it?

S.G.

424

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile Letter

« on: June 28, 2012, 12:51:31 AM »

Out of all the trolls in this "business", masterfile is most likely to have its paperwork in order.
However, this isn't always the case.  It's best to check.  Masterfile (to its credit) will usually forward the paperwork if requested.

There's been a handful of cases wherein the artist has been contacted.
The results varied from bewilderment, some artists will verify what kind of contract exists, and some won't respond at all.

Right now, masterfile seems to be quite tied up litigating a case wherein they're seeking millions of dollars.
It seems that nobody else has been sued for a little while.  This could be good news for those that are risk-takers.

Masterfile and Getty were similar in many respects; therefore the "Getty" forum also handles masterfile topics.
Recently, Getty has been proven to be quite weak in its legal standing.  Masterfile is a bit stronger and litigious.
So, there are some differences.

Masterfile is like a wasp that can sting you, whereas Getty is like one of those harmless flies that looks like a wasp from a distance.

S.G.

425

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: ELI Video Updates Ends. The ELI Factor will launch soon.

« on: June 27, 2012, 03:01:37 PM »

Looking forward!!

S.G.

426

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: FunnyJunk Attorney Charles Carreon's Wife, Tara Carreon Shows Her Stuff

« on: June 26, 2012, 11:33:47 PM »

I think that Mr Carreon is desperately trying to get his 15 minutes of fame.
Guess that it's working.

S.G.

427

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Ongoing List of Copyright Trolling Firms and those associated with them

« on: June 25, 2012, 01:13:00 PM »

Julie Stewart.  Derp.



S.G.

428

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Ongoing List of Copyright Trolling Firms and those associated with them

« on: June 25, 2012, 11:23:31 AM »

While not the most dangerous, I figured that Timmy is one of the most prolific.
He must have sent more letters that anyone.
Not much to back it up, though... it's like the WMD that Iraq was supposed to have.

I was thinking of Julie Stewart as "The Joker"... lol

S.G.

429

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Ongoing List of Copyright Trolling Firms and those associated with them

« on: June 25, 2012, 12:51:38 AM »

As in the operation desert storm card set



Who's next, and what card?  lol

S.G.

430

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Big ELI Video Update (June 23, 2012): Matthew Chan & Robert Krausankas

« on: June 24, 2012, 08:15:39 PM »

Good interview as always!!

Something that's quite important was touched on in the interview.
It was my understanding that in the past, info/documents sent to ELI were treated as confidential, unless the sender said that it was ok for them to be released.
If I heard correctly, this has changed.  I know that there was never any formal confidentiality agreement, but, this is a significant change in procedure.

While there is no onus on ELI or its owner to keep things confidential, it's my opinion that permission should be sought before posting anything that was sent "privately".
Additionally, info may have been sent to ELI in the past by its participants under the assumption of confidentiality under the old (albeit informal) terms.

I know that less interesting news may be released if confidentiality is stricter.
On the other hand, participants may be hesitant to submit information that's valuable to the cause, even if it can't be broadcast on the forum.
We haven't had many Linda Ellis victims come forward, for example.

Those are only my opinions.  But, I think that this merits discussion, or least clarification.

S.G.

431

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Big ELI Video Update (June 23, 2012): Matthew Chan & Robert Krausankas

« on: June 24, 2012, 06:03:05 PM »

Perhaps, a small audio version could be posted; maybe mono 128 kbit for Puzzleguy?

S.G.

432

Legal Controversies Forum / Re: New Trolling Tatic?

« on: June 23, 2012, 11:25:54 PM »

Interesting posting...
Sounds a bit like Masterfile; they'd send a lawsuit "mockup" with a crappy photocopy of the court seal on it and everything.
I think that they've put all their eggs on one basket for now, though.

S.G.

433

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: another Nugget for SG

« on: June 23, 2012, 05:56:31 PM »

Lol.  No, it's not as good.  But, it is funny that he put it on himself.

Actually, the "hat" comes the "scumbag steve" meme.  These days, anyone that wears the hat is a "scumbag"!
"Meme Generator" has a feature that'll put the hat on your victim for you.  But, I've been having trouble using the site:



I was once told that I made "the worst picture on the Internet".
Of course that's off-topic here...

S.G.

434

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: another Nugget for SG

« on: June 23, 2012, 03:58:29 PM »

Interesting.
I guess that he probably got out of there when masterfile was flirting with Arius3d.
Probably a good idea; that's what I would have done.  When management gets "flaky" you have to send out the resumes.
I kind of laughed that he has what looks like a baseball cap on backwards in his linkedin photo.

That's a meme that I won't have to make, I guess.

S.G.

435

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Cyber Liability Insurance

« on: June 23, 2012, 01:19:13 PM »

I think that these things always come back full circle to registration, and protection of copyright.
That is, if the work isn't registered prior to publishing, and then protected with at lease C&D requests/DMCA takedowns, then it's not subject to "laws" that are actually meaningful.
Saying that something is "copyrighted" at the moment of creation has no value for practical purposes.

Also, it's difficult to prove that something has a "value" without any prior sales history.
If Picasso made memes, we might say that they'd have some value even if they were never sold in the marketplace.
But, most people haven't made such a name for themselves.

This isn't law, but when something becomes a "meme" or even a popular "image macro" it's probably too late to protect it and monetize it.
The more places that it appears uncontrolled in the wild, the less that it's worth.

But, people send scores of letters asking for money every day.  Some people actually pay, but many don't.

S.G.