Messages

1

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: ipprotection.net letter

« on: January 24, 2013, 12:02:39 PM »

They have not responded to my proof and clarification letters, and just send a standard mail-merge back threatening me with court action again. There are no responses to my questions, no reasons for not answering, no official decline of my offer (market rate calculation from stock photo sites) and no attempt to show what the real value of the image is, just the "estimate". I think this goes against pre-action protocol.

Why did you even acknowledge receipt of the letter, let alone reply?

2

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: The Atradius Letter - various thoughts

« on: January 14, 2013, 12:11:21 PM »

There is no next step. They are chancers. I've yet to see any precedent where they have successfully taken someone to court to recover money for using their images. There are no damages to claim, there is no money lost. They are simply trying to scare people into paying.

By replying to their letters, you're just confirming acknowledgement of their letters, and they will not let it go until they get money from you. The only way this can stop is if you file a counter claim for harassment.

My advice is to ignore them completely. If they call you, hang up. Do no even acknowledge who you are. With any luck, they will get bored of wasting paper/stamps/phone calls on you, but for them, it's probably worth keeping it up.

3

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: graphic from another site

« on: December 21, 2012, 08:47:21 AM »

I recommend you do not respond at all. Like any "debt" collections agency, as soon as you acknowledge receipt of the letter you will be harassed by mail for eternity.

4

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: The biggest con of all - please read

« on: December 21, 2012, 08:45:53 AM »

Have you removed the images from your sites? if so, when?

5

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / For how long have you ignored Getty Images letters?

« on: December 21, 2012, 08:44:56 AM »

I got my first letter approx 2 years ago, unfortunately the letter was thrown away so cannot say for sure. Today I got one from "atradius" which with a quick check just seems to be another getty images office.

I plan on simply ignoring it, as I always do when someone demands money in their initial contact. This has worked well for me with all sorts of things, it is my feeling that getty images are just trying their luck and as soon as you acknowledge receipt of their letter, whether by arguing your case or offering partial settlement, they'll just try to reel you in for as much as possible.

I'd like to know how long some others have been ignoring their letters for and if possible, how much they are demanding.