Messages

1

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Need Help/Advice

« on: August 20, 2013, 06:38:26 PM »

Thank you for your advice stinger and BuddhaPi.  I value my client and am absolutely willing to take over.  I just do not want to pay close to 1K for a small image that I nor anyone involved was aware was copyright protected.  I will definitely contact the attorneys here to help.  I would rather absolve my client of having to deal with this, but I will see what the attorneys here recommend.  Thanks!

2

Getty Images Letter Forum / Need Help/Advice

« on: August 20, 2013, 05:20:30 PM »

Hi,

I am a web designer.  I sub contracted the design of a site to another designer who placed 1 small image onto a landing page they designed for one of my clients.  The landing page was active, meaning it was visible online but my client had never started promoting it.  A few months later, my client received a letter from Getty demanding payment of over $900.  When this was brought to my attention I reached out to the sub contractor I hired who told me he did not realize the image he used had a copyright and I naturally had assumed the image was purchased stock art- which normally runs around $3 - $20 an image (not over $900).

My client is asking that I transfer ownership to my company and assume both financial and legal responsibility.  I am in no position to pay such a high fee for 1 small image on a site that was not promoted and barely visited if at all by anyone other than Getty. 

Why does Getty not take into account circumstances and make payment modifications?  I have spoken with them and they do not take installments.  As a small business owner it is perplexing.  My client is very concerned about this appearing on her business credit report and as a valued client I understand and would like to absolve her company from this, but want to understand and know what rights my client and I have in this issue before I talk with the firm they have transferred the collections to.  Any help/advice is appreciated.