Messages

541

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Got a letter, now what???

« on: August 20, 2012, 05:08:51 PM »

Susan:  Don't let these guys scare you.  Step back, take a breath.  Spend some time educating yourself in these forums. 

After you've done that, refer to this post http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/how-to-stop-gettys-employees-harassment/ for a rather concise summary of your options and what you should do if you wish to deal with these guys on your own.

You are not alone in this battle.  This forum will prove that to you.

542

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Copyright Office Adopts Pilot Program Regarding Registration of Photographs

« on: August 20, 2012, 10:05:15 AM »

Kudos, Oscar!  What you suggest is not only reasonable, but fair to all parties.

The question is, "In this crazy world in which we live, how to make this happen?"  What motivates those folks at the copyright office?

543

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Got a letter, now what???

« on: August 16, 2012, 05:07:19 PM »

Great post meontheweb!  The comments to the article linked to, speak volumes about the size of this problem.  I hope the Canadian courts take care of their citizens, and I hope the American courts take care of Getty - if you know what I mean.

544

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Don't Pay Getty - Thank you ELI

« on: August 16, 2012, 03:01:54 PM »

BuddhaPi, it is that passion that we all love!

Your rants should never end.  Your passion keeps me energized, and likely a lot more people on this site.

545

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Getty Images Sold!

« on: August 16, 2012, 10:48:20 AM »

Wow, that is quite a plan!  Will this launch Timmy's new career as an International Copyright Compliance __________?  You all can fill in the blank.

546

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Don't Pay Getty - Thank you ELI

« on: August 16, 2012, 09:50:46 AM »

Background

A part of me hopes they will continue to pursue this case. I would be happy to have their practices exposed in court to let a judge decide if what they're doing is legal.

Dan, I feel the same way about my case.  And I am sure there are others like us on this forum.  So far Getty has been smart enough to make money on this, without their tactics being scrutinized by a judge.

I expect they will make a mistake soon.  Perhaps, transitions associated with the new buyout will lead to an error on their part that might give us the satisfaction we so richly deserve. 

547

Legal Controversies Forum / Re: This is getting out of hand.

« on: August 14, 2012, 10:14:38 AM »

Thanks Greg!  That's a very well written article from someone who understands both sides.

548

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Lawsuit filed against Getty images for Copyright infringement.

« on: August 13, 2012, 02:06:05 PM »

Well said, Oscar!  Perhaps the concept of innocent intent needs to make it into this forum's articles about how to respond to Getty.  Not that they even read the response letters.

549

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile's Copyright Registration Method Held Invalid by California Court

« on: August 13, 2012, 02:02:29 PM »

I say well done.  Anytime you can win by spending the Troll's time and money while not spending too much of your own, you are creating real value.

In reading the transcript, it appeared that Materfile's attorney was trying to take advantage of the fact that you weren't present, and they still lost.  I think that is worthy of a little trash talking - maybe not in the legal community - but certainly here on ELI.

550

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Got a letter, now what???

« on: August 13, 2012, 09:49:47 AM »

If you haven't already been here, this is a good starting point:  http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/how-to-stop-gettys-employees-harassment/?topicseen

But the more educated you get, the more comfortable you will be with what you ultimately decide to do.  I agree with most - don't pay them unless they can prove that the images are properly registered and theirs to manage and they can show what the value of the images is.

So far, my experience is they can't do either.

551

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Masterfile's Copyright Registration Method Held Invalid by California Court

« on: August 13, 2012, 09:34:39 AM »

Just out of curiosity, is it considered legal showboating, when the prevailing attorney (in this case Oscar) doesn't make a court appearance and still wins?  Is that like doing a dance after scoring a touchdown, or taunting an opponent after slam dunking a basketball in his face?

All kidding aside Oscar, way to go!  A big win for the little guys.

552

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: An Experiment Against Getty

« on: August 13, 2012, 09:10:21 AM »

I also think that when you write a letter to your congressman, it's always a good idea to cite the complaints against Getty that Robert has made so easy to get.  This certainly establishes a precedent.  If it is not enough for the AG, maybe it will be enough if enough Senators and Representatives get a chance to look this stuff over.

553

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Haters

« on: August 13, 2012, 09:05:44 AM »

Nicely written, danaisle  http://wp.me/p1S8Jh-1F

And you are completely correct April, that the difference between you and them is that you keep looking forward, you know your business, and you have confidence in the fact that you can adapt with the changing terrain.

But wait, isn't that the difference between a winner and a loser?

554

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Another Victim

« on: August 09, 2012, 05:29:00 PM »

I would recommend one other thing in your response.  Let them know that you consider their threatening communication with no proof of their claim "harassment".  Ask that it stop immediately. 

They are after all (bad) copyright attorneys.  The threat of your lawyer in a copyright court may not seem as dire (to them) as putting them in a court where they are a bit less familiar - where you might choose to bring harassment charges.  This might make them bother you less.

If they keep bothering you, proving harassment should be pretty easy if they make threats, you ask for proof, they give you none but keep making threats, you ask for threats to stop and proof.  If they keep making threats, it becomes harassment.

I am not an attorney, but I have seen a number of people on this site say that asking for the harassment to stop, has helped.

555

Legal Controversies Forum / Re: A Victory for Innovation and a Vote for Sensible Copyright Law

« on: August 09, 2012, 09:26:03 AM »

This article brings hope that there is still some common sense left in this world.