Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: I was not told up front that photos of me would be sold or used for editorial purposes. I did not consent.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
We are in receipt of the complaint referenced above that you forwarded to us, but we are unable to identify the matter to which this complaint corresponds. In order for us to appropriately respond, we ask that the complainant please provide either the case number referenced in our initial...
correspondence or other identifying information, such as the name of the business or web site addresses which relate to this complaint.
Thank you for your assistance.
Regards,Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
By way of introduction, Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of digital content, including still and moving images. We license thousands of images each day on...
our website, www.gettyimages.com. Customers such as graphic designers, advertising agencies, and publishers license our imagery for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to print advertising, billboards, newspaper and magazine articles, brochures and websites. Our license information is clearly available from each page of our website, and we do not permit the use of our imagery without a license.
Notwithstanding the license requirement, like other digital media companies, Getty Images does fall victim to individuals pirating its intellectual property. To combat this, Getty Images uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used Getty Images’ imagery without paying a license fee. We recently identified the Complainant as having used unlicensed imagery from our collections.
We sent the Complainant notifications that we had found use of our imagery on their website; that we had been unable to locate a license for such use; and that the Complainant must either: (i) provide evidence that a license was issued, or (ii) pay a fee for use of the imagery. We included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing our image, along with a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. We asked the Complainant to let us know if they believed they received our letter in error. The unauthorized use fee is in line with what we would typically charge for a license under these circumstances.
Even if the Complainant has removed our imagery from their website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. Our imagery is protected by copyright. Getty Images either owns or is the exclusive licensor for the image(s) at issue. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Thus far the Complainant has failed to produce a valid license. The Complainant’s use of our imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which we are entitled to seek damages. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required.
Please note that we are not alleging that the Complainant owes a debt; we are alleging that the Complainant used intellectual property without authorization and therefore is liable for damages. We are simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used and the damage caused by not licensing the imagery in the first place.
We understand that copyright law can be confusing; however, the campaign to file complaints against us is misguided and misdirected. We encourage review of the license compliance information provided on our web site at: http://stories.gettyimages.com/category/visual-insights/copyright/ for more on copyright issues. Getty Images has acted appropriately and in good faith, and we are well within our legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of our images.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain hopeful of reaching an amicable resolution to this matter.
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently. By way of introduction, Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of digital content, including still and moving images. We license thousands of images each day on our...
website, www.gettyimages.com. Customers such as graphic designers, advertising agencies, and publishers license our imagery for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to print advertising, billboards, newspaper and magazine articles, brochures and websites. Our license information is clearly available from each page of our website, and we do not permit the use of our imagery without a license. Notwithstanding the license requirement, like other digital media companies, Getty Images does fall victim to individuals pirating its intellectual property. To combat this, Getty Images uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used Getty Images’ imagery without paying a license fee. We recently identified the Complainant as having used unlicensed imagery from our collections. We sent the Complainant notifications that we had found use of our imagery on their website; that we had been unable to locate a license for such use; and that the Complainant must either: (i) provide evidence that a license was issued, or (ii) pay a fee for use of the imagery. We included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing our image, along with a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. We asked the Complainant to let us know if they believed they received our letter in error. The unauthorized use fee was $520, which is what we would typically charge for a license under these circumstances. Even though the Complainant ultimately removed our imagery from their website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. Our imagery is protected by copyright. Getty Images either owns or is the exclusive licensor for the image(s) at issue. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Thus far the Complainant has failed to produce a valid license. The Complainant’s use of our imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which we are entitled to seek damages. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required. Please note that we are not alleging that the Complainant owes a debt; we are alleging that the Complainant used intellectual property without authorization and therefore is liable for damages. We are simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used and the damage caused by not licensing the imagery in the first place. We understand that copyright law can be confusing; however, the campaign to file complaints against us is misguided and misdirected. We encourage review of the license compliance information provided on our web site at: http://stories.gettyimages.com/category/visual-insights/copyright/ for more on copyright issues. Getty Images has acted appropriately and in good faith, and we are well within our legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of our images. The Complainant characterizes our attempts to settle our copyright infringement claims against them as “extortion.” However, our communications with the Complainant do not in any way constitute “wrongful threats” within the meaning of extortion statutes. On the contrary, demand for payment in satisfaction of a legal claim is not wrongful conduct. Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain hopeful of reaching an amicable resolution to this matter. Regards, Getty Images - Copyright Compliance 605 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104 T: (206) 925-5000 F: (206) 925-5001 [email protected] www.gettyimages.com This message may contain privileged or confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute, or copy this email or any attachments hereto. Please notify the sender immediately by email if you have received this email by mistake and delete this email and any attachments from your system without copying or disclosing the contents. Email transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of email transmission. If verification is required, please request a hard-copy version. Getty Images, Inc., 605 Fifth Ave. S., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98104, USA, www.gettyimages.com
Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: this is the same letter you sent a week ago. And it is not for your offices or your information.
Sincerely,u
[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
I have been told that all images that were used came from a Free Image Website. Getty is and does plant images on free websites this is how they make their money. This is extortion! The Internet is full of complaints from small business owners of how this has happened to them. We ask that Getty provide a copyright certificate or a copy of the copyright assignment from the photographer to Getty. Sincerely,[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because: 1) there was no warning given by Getty Images that there was any violation of copyright issues, 2) the image was obtained via an internet search for free images and there was no indication it was a copyright image and 3) the image was removed minutes after notification was received that there was an issue. We acted entirely in good faith and when notified there was an issue, we took steps to correct them. Sincerely,[redacted]
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
Please note that this claim should properly be directed to [redacted] in whose name the copyright notice was delivered, not License Compliance Services.
Please feel free to...
contact [redacted] directly per the following contact details:
[redacted]]
We ask that this matter against License Compliance Services be closed.
Regards,
License Compliance Services, Inc.
Telphone:[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
The letters and demands for money have come directly from Samantha C[redacted]s of License Compliance Services, Seattle WA. Please see examples of letters attached. Sincerely,[redacted]
[redacted]SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS REDACTED BY Revdex.com[redacted]
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
By way of introduction, Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of digital content, including still and moving images. We license thousands of images each day on our...
website, www.gettyimages.com. Customers such as graphic designers, advertising agencies, and publishers license our imagery for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to print advertising, billboards, newspaper and magazine articles, brochures and websites. Our license information is clearly available from each page of our website, and we do not permit the use of our imagery without a license.
Notwithstanding the license requirement, like other digital media companies, Getty Images does fall victim to individuals pirating its intellectual property. To combat this, Getty Images uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used Getty Images’ imagery without paying a license fee. We recently identified the Complainant as having used unlicensed imagery from our collections.
We sent the Complainant a notice that we had found use of our imagery on their website and that we had been unable to locate a license for such use. We included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing our image, along with a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. We explained that the image used was a high-value rights-managed image and asked the Complainant to contact us to discuss the matter. We also asked the Complainant to contact us immediately if they believed they received our letter in error.
Even if the Complainant has removed our imagery from their website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. Our imagery is protected by copyright. Getty Images either owns or is the exclusive licensor for the image(s) at issue. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Thus far the Complainant has failed to produce a valid license. The Complainant’s use of our imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which we are entitled to seek damages. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required.
Please note that we are not alleging that the Complainant owes a debt; we are alleging that the Complainant used intellectual property without authorization and therefore is liable for damages. We are simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used and the damage caused by not licensing the imagery in the first place.
We understand that copyright law can be confusing; however, the campaign to file complaints against us is misguided and misdirected. We encourage review of the license compliance information provided on our web site at: http://stories.gettyimages.com/category/visual-insights/copyright/ for more on copyright issues. Getty Images has acted appropriately and in good faith, and we are well within our legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of our images.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain hopeful of reaching an amicable resolution to this matter.
Regards,
Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
Please note that this claim should properly be directed to Gallery Stock, in whose name the copyright notice was delivered, not Getty Images or License Compliance Services. Please...
feel free to contact Gallery Stock directly per the following contact details:
Ilana S[redacted] -
[redacted]@gallerystock.com
We ask that this matter against Getty Images be closed.
Regards,
Getty Images - Copyright Compliance
We have received the above Complainant’s response to our previous reply summarizing Getty Images’ claim for copyright infringement. We note that the Complainant has not addressed the legal issue of having displayed our imagery without authorization. We have provided screenshots and links showing proof of infringement.
Mr [redacted] questions whether Getty Images owns the copyright in the Image. While confidentiality provisions prevent us from providing copies of our agreements with our photographers, Getty Images is the exclusive licensor of the Image, with the responsibility to protect our represented photographer’s intellectual property from unauthorized use.
The unauthorized use fee is in line with what we would typically charge for a license under these circumstances.
Should the Revdex.com require any additional information about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are in receipt of the complaint that you most recently forwarded to us. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this matter
By way of further explanation, License Compliance Services, Inc. (“LCS”), is a Delaware corporation that provides copyright compliance services to third party content owners. Its principal place of business is at 701 5th Ave. #4200, Seattle, WA 98104.
On behalf of third party copyright owners, LCS uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used its client’s imagery without paying a license fee. Like other digital media companies, such third party content owners do fall victim to individuals pirating their intellectual property.
In this case, LCS identified the unauthorized use by the Complainant of content that is represented by [redacted]. LCS was retained by [redacted] to assist it with searching for potential unauthorized uses of its images. LCS had authority from [redacted], who had authorization from the copyright owner, to inquire as to whether this use was authorized and, if it was not, to pursue compensation for the infringing use.
LCS sent the Complainant a letter with notification that it had found use of [redacted]’s imagery on its website that [redacted] had been unable to locate a license for such use; that use of the imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement; and that the Complainant must either: (i) provide evidence that a license was issued, or (ii) pay a fee for use of the imagery. LCS included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing the image and associated data, along with a link to a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. The unauthorized use fee is in line with what [redacted] would typically charge for a license under these circumstances. LCS was simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used.
In the course of handling this matter, due to apparent difficulties with email communications between the Complainant and [redacted], LCS put the matter on hold as a courtesy while we worked to put the Complainant in touch directly with [redacted] at [redacted]. On May 23, 2016, [redacted] at [redacted] confirmed directly with the Complainant that they do represent, and hold the exclusive right to distribute, the image in question and that [redacted] was unable to locate a valid license for the use of the image at issue by the Complainant. The usage of the image at issue, in the manner detected in this case, would have required licensing from [redacted] have now referred this matter back to LCS for further handling.
Even if the Complainant has removed [redacted]’s imagery from its website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. [redacted]’s imagery is protected by copyright. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required. The Complainant’s use of this image without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which [redacted] is entitled to seek damages, and it is simply doing so through LCS.
In sum, LCS has acted appropriately and in good faith, and it is well within its legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of images on behalf of [redacted].
We ask that this matter against License Compliance Services be closed.
Regards,
License Compliance Services, Inc.Telephone: 1.855.387.8725 Email: [email protected]: 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
RE: [redacted]I'd like to thank the representatives from the Revdex.com for providing me with this information, however the information from License Compliance Services, Inc. dba Getty Images, Inc has simply redirected us to now go to a contact at Image Source. Under the circumstance, the only official letter/notice that we've received was sent and clearly outlined in the heading from License Compliance Services, Inc. on behalf of Image Source. We've never received any information or notification's directly from Image Source or anyone ever stating that our company may have overlooked any necessary licensing or the courtesy to allow us to remove any images that weren't properly licensed. Surely a small business owner would purposely violate use of material that was illegal! Again, the ONLY company that has ever sent threatening letters to us was indeed from License Compliance Services, Inc., (LCS); [email protected]; (www.LCS.global) based on the information outlined within the Seattle, WA Revdex.com LCS is dba Getty Images, Inc. LCS is also the only company that has asked for immediate payment in the amount of $550. for a photo that we (small business) was clearly unaware of any violations of use. After being notified by LCS they also warned us that EVEN if we removed the photo from use, we would still need to pay the $550. I immediately contacted the State Attorney's office.
I want the Revdex.com as well as the Washing State Attorney General's Office to be aware that if indeed this company is targeting small businesses and non-profit companies and asking for monies that they can do everything within their power to help protect the public from any fraudulent acts such as this. The letter sent to us was by License Compliance Services, Inc, dba Getty Images, Inc., as I continue to research this company, based on information listed with the state of Washington, Revdex.com has LCS listed as dba as Getty Images, Inc. with 126 complaints within the last 3 years the address in their letterhead is at 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200 Seattle, WA 98104. Whereas Getty Images, Inc. address is shown in Revdex.com at [redacted] Seattle, WA 98103. I will not be contacting any other company and would like this matter to be closed and the threats for payment stopped immediately.
Thank you,
[redacted]
When I first contacted Revdex.com concerning this matter, I gave them the name of Science Photo Library, the name stated on the attached notice. I was told that Science PHoto library is linked with Getty Images, Inc.
We have reviewed the Complainant’s response to our Reply to his initial complaint, sent on May 3, 2017. To be clear, LCS’s customer, Magnum Photos Ltd., represents the photograph at issue of [redacted] taken by Philippe H[redacted] in 1954 (“[redacted] Image”) regardless of whether that image is used on its own or next to another image. It is LCS’s position that the Complainant’s use of the [redacted] Image on the Complainant’s website is an unauthorized use of that image, despite the fact that the [redacted] Image appeared alongside another photograph (a photograph of John Malkovich taken by Sandro M[redacted], the “Malkovich Image”) and despite the fact that art and photography blogs have displayed the [redacted] Image and the Malkovich Image together. The Complainant had no basis to assume he had authorization to use imagery based on seeing that imagery on another website, such as the art and photography blogs the Complainant references. Note that LCS pursues the unauthorized commercial use of the imagery represented by its customers. In addition, we respectfully disagree that LCS failed to provide answers to the questions the Complainant poses. As noted in our May 3rd reply, we responded to the Complainant’s April 18 letter to LCS by letter dated May 3, 2017, and that May 3rd letter provided detailed answers to the Complainant’s questions. We also respectfully disagree with the Complainant’s claim that the damages LCS is seeking from the Complainant increased over the time LCS has been in contact with the Complainant. Thank you for this opportunity to respond to the Complainant’s May 4, 2017 response. We again request that this matter against License Compliance Services be closed. Regards, License Compliance Services, Inc. Telephone: 1.855.387.8725 Email: [email protected] Address: 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
Please note that this claim should properly be directed to [redacted]., in whose name the copyright notice was delivered, not Getty Images or License Compliance...
Services. Please feel free to contact [redacted]. directly per the following contact details:
Simon S[redacted] - [redacted]
We ask that this matter against Getty Images be closed.
Regards,
Getty Images - Copyright Compliance
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
To initialize this opinion I must point out that I, [redacted] am an authentic human being, aka member of the human race, and also a citizen of the United States of America. Getty Images is a business entity with no discernible living existence human or otherwise.
I removed the images in question immediately upon notification. Some of the images were not even published but reside up the backups on my web server.
If the images (various images of trees in a natural surroundings) have such unique value they should not be readily available on a google image search.
The main party in this issue (the tree in the picture) is content to allow representation of it with no charge, or if it has objections it is not being adequately represented. Given the irrreproducibility of any trees individual existence I do not see the validity of Gettys claim that a human recording of its image has any value apart apart from the value of the individual electrons. I do concede three points:
1. If the tree expressly wishes I will pay the amount getty is asking to a recognized organization involved in efforts to reforest our ailing planet.
2. Because getty has the authority of human created copyright laws (originally written on paper manufactured from unwilling trees), I am (was) happy to remove the images.
3. I am happy to appear in court with my attorney to present this matter. Getty should be aware of the possible decisions resulting from this scenario, even though such results may be unimaginable to Getty at this time.
I do know a photographer who has thousands of photos on file with getty, and this issue over a non-unique image of a tree being displayed at 150p is ridiculous and not a threat to any persons livelihood.
Upon learning of this situation I have used my cell phone camera to create my own images of trees to more than adequately replace the images in question.
Sincerely,[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: I was not told up front that photos of me would be sold or used for editorial purposes. I did not consent.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
We are in receipt of the complaint referenced above that you forwarded to us, but we are unable to identify the matter to which this complaint corresponds. In order for us to appropriately respond, we ask that the complainant please provide either the case number referenced in our initial...
correspondence or other identifying information, such as the name of the business or web site addresses which relate to this complaint.
Thank you for your assistance.
Regards,Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
By way of introduction, Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of digital content, including still and moving images. We license thousands of images each day on...
our website, www.gettyimages.com. Customers such as graphic designers, advertising agencies, and publishers license our imagery for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to print advertising, billboards, newspaper and magazine articles, brochures and websites. Our license information is clearly available from each page of our website, and we do not permit the use of our imagery without a license.
Notwithstanding the license requirement, like other digital media companies, Getty Images does fall victim to individuals pirating its intellectual property. To combat this, Getty Images uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used Getty Images’ imagery without paying a license fee. We recently identified the Complainant as having used unlicensed imagery from our collections.
We sent the Complainant notifications that we had found use of our imagery on their website; that we had been unable to locate a license for such use; and that the Complainant must either: (i) provide evidence that a license was issued, or (ii) pay a fee for use of the imagery. We included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing our image, along with a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. We asked the Complainant to let us know if they believed they received our letter in error. The unauthorized use fee is in line with what we would typically charge for a license under these circumstances.
Even if the Complainant has removed our imagery from their website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. Our imagery is protected by copyright. Getty Images either owns or is the exclusive licensor for the image(s) at issue. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Thus far the Complainant has failed to produce a valid license. The Complainant’s use of our imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which we are entitled to seek damages. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required.
Please note that we are not alleging that the Complainant owes a debt; we are alleging that the Complainant used intellectual property without authorization and therefore is liable for damages. We are simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used and the damage caused by not licensing the imagery in the first place.
We understand that copyright law can be confusing; however, the campaign to file complaints against us is misguided and misdirected. We encourage review of the license compliance information provided on our web site at: http://stories.gettyimages.com/category/visual-insights/copyright/ for more on copyright issues. Getty Images has acted appropriately and in good faith, and we are well within our legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of our images.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain hopeful of reaching an amicable resolution to this matter.
Regards,
Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently. By way of introduction, Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of digital content, including still and moving images. We license thousands of images each day on our...
website, www.gettyimages.com. Customers such as graphic designers, advertising agencies, and publishers license our imagery for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to print advertising, billboards, newspaper and magazine articles, brochures and websites. Our license information is clearly available from each page of our website, and we do not permit the use of our imagery without a license. Notwithstanding the license requirement, like other digital media companies, Getty Images does fall victim to individuals pirating its intellectual property. To combat this, Getty Images uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used Getty Images’ imagery without paying a license fee. We recently identified the Complainant as having used unlicensed imagery from our collections. We sent the Complainant notifications that we had found use of our imagery on their website; that we had been unable to locate a license for such use; and that the Complainant must either: (i) provide evidence that a license was issued, or (ii) pay a fee for use of the imagery. We included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing our image, along with a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. We asked the Complainant to let us know if they believed they received our letter in error. The unauthorized use fee was $520, which is what we would typically charge for a license under these circumstances. Even though the Complainant ultimately removed our imagery from their website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. Our imagery is protected by copyright. Getty Images either owns or is the exclusive licensor for the image(s) at issue. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Thus far the Complainant has failed to produce a valid license. The Complainant’s use of our imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which we are entitled to seek damages. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required. Please note that we are not alleging that the Complainant owes a debt; we are alleging that the Complainant used intellectual property without authorization and therefore is liable for damages. We are simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used and the damage caused by not licensing the imagery in the first place. We understand that copyright law can be confusing; however, the campaign to file complaints against us is misguided and misdirected. We encourage review of the license compliance information provided on our web site at: http://stories.gettyimages.com/category/visual-insights/copyright/ for more on copyright issues. Getty Images has acted appropriately and in good faith, and we are well within our legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of our images. The Complainant characterizes our attempts to settle our copyright infringement claims against them as “extortion.” However, our communications with the Complainant do not in any way constitute “wrongful threats” within the meaning of extortion statutes. On the contrary, demand for payment in satisfaction of a legal claim is not wrongful conduct. Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain hopeful of reaching an amicable resolution to this matter. Regards, Getty Images - Copyright Compliance 605 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104 T: (206) 925-5000 F: (206) 925-5001 [email protected] www.gettyimages.com This message may contain privileged or confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute, or copy this email or any attachments hereto. Please notify the sender immediately by email if you have received this email by mistake and delete this email and any attachments from your system without copying or disclosing the contents. Email transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of email transmission. If verification is required, please request a hard-copy version. Getty Images, Inc., 605 Fifth Ave. S., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98104, USA, www.gettyimages.com
Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: this is the same letter you sent a week ago. And it is not for your offices or your information.
Sincerely,u
[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
I have been told that all images that were used came from a Free Image Website. Getty is and does plant images on free websites this is how they make their money. This is extortion! The Internet is full of complaints from small business owners of how this has happened to them. We ask that Getty provide a copyright certificate or a copy of the copyright assignment from the photographer to Getty. Sincerely,[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because: 1) there was no warning given by Getty Images that there was any violation of copyright issues, 2) the image was obtained via an internet search for free images and there was no indication it was a copyright image and 3) the image was removed minutes after notification was received that there was an issue. We acted entirely in good faith and when notified there was an issue, we took steps to correct them. Sincerely,[redacted]
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
Please note that this claim should properly be directed to [redacted] in whose name the copyright notice was delivered, not License Compliance Services.
Please feel free to...
contact [redacted] directly per the following contact details:
[redacted]]
We ask that this matter against License Compliance Services be closed.
Regards,
License Compliance Services, Inc.
Telphone:[redacted]
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
The letters and demands for money have come directly from Samantha C[redacted]s of License Compliance Services, Seattle WA. Please see examples of letters attached. Sincerely,[redacted]
[redacted]SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS REDACTED BY Revdex.com[redacted]
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
By way of introduction, Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of digital content, including still and moving images. We license thousands of images each day on our...
website, www.gettyimages.com. Customers such as graphic designers, advertising agencies, and publishers license our imagery for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to print advertising, billboards, newspaper and magazine articles, brochures and websites. Our license information is clearly available from each page of our website, and we do not permit the use of our imagery without a license.
Notwithstanding the license requirement, like other digital media companies, Getty Images does fall victim to individuals pirating its intellectual property. To combat this, Getty Images uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used Getty Images’ imagery without paying a license fee. We recently identified the Complainant as having used unlicensed imagery from our collections.
We sent the Complainant a notice that we had found use of our imagery on their website and that we had been unable to locate a license for such use. We included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing our image, along with a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. We explained that the image used was a high-value rights-managed image and asked the Complainant to contact us to discuss the matter. We also asked the Complainant to contact us immediately if they believed they received our letter in error.
Even if the Complainant has removed our imagery from their website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. Our imagery is protected by copyright. Getty Images either owns or is the exclusive licensor for the image(s) at issue. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Thus far the Complainant has failed to produce a valid license. The Complainant’s use of our imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which we are entitled to seek damages. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required.
Please note that we are not alleging that the Complainant owes a debt; we are alleging that the Complainant used intellectual property without authorization and therefore is liable for damages. We are simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used and the damage caused by not licensing the imagery in the first place.
We understand that copyright law can be confusing; however, the campaign to file complaints against us is misguided and misdirected. We encourage review of the license compliance information provided on our web site at: http://stories.gettyimages.com/category/visual-insights/copyright/ for more on copyright issues. Getty Images has acted appropriately and in good faith, and we are well within our legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of our images.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain hopeful of reaching an amicable resolution to this matter.
Regards,
Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
Please note that this claim should properly be directed to Gallery Stock, in whose name the copyright notice was delivered, not Getty Images or License Compliance Services. Please...
feel free to contact Gallery Stock directly per the following contact details:
Ilana S[redacted] -
[redacted]@gallerystock.com
We ask that this matter against Getty Images be closed.
Regards,
Getty Images - Copyright Compliance
We have received the above Complainant’s response to our previous reply summarizing Getty Images’ claim for copyright infringement. We note that the Complainant has not addressed the legal issue of having displayed our imagery without authorization. We have provided screenshots and links showing proof of infringement.
Mr [redacted] questions whether Getty Images owns the copyright in the Image. While confidentiality provisions prevent us from providing copies of our agreements with our photographers, Getty Images is the exclusive licensor of the Image, with the responsibility to protect our represented photographer’s intellectual property from unauthorized use.
The unauthorized use fee is in line with what we would typically charge for a license under these circumstances.
Should the Revdex.com require any additional information about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Getty Images – Copyright Compliance
We are unabe to determine which case this compliant is for. Please provide a case Number or company name that this is in reference to.
I am unable to respond as I do not know what case this pertains to. It appears that no case or reference # was given in the complaint or company name
We are in receipt of the complaint that you most recently forwarded to us. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this matter
By way of further explanation, License Compliance Services, Inc. (“LCS”), is a Delaware corporation that provides copyright compliance services to third party content owners. Its principal place of business is at 701 5th Ave. #4200, Seattle, WA 98104.
On behalf of third party copyright owners, LCS uses both employees and digital image recognition software to locate entities that have used its client’s imagery without paying a license fee. Like other digital media companies, such third party content owners do fall victim to individuals pirating their intellectual property.
In this case, LCS identified the unauthorized use by the Complainant of content that is represented by [redacted]. LCS was retained by [redacted] to assist it with searching for potential unauthorized uses of its images. LCS had authority from [redacted], who had authorization from the copyright owner, to inquire as to whether this use was authorized and, if it was not, to pursue compensation for the infringing use.
LCS sent the Complainant a letter with notification that it had found use of [redacted]’s imagery on its website that [redacted] had been unable to locate a license for such use; that use of the imagery without a license constitutes copyright infringement; and that the Complainant must either: (i) provide evidence that a license was issued, or (ii) pay a fee for use of the imagery. LCS included an internal case reference number and provided proof of use, showing the image and associated data, along with a link to a screenshot of the image in use on the Complainant’s website. The unauthorized use fee is in line with what [redacted] would typically charge for a license under these circumstances. LCS was simply asking the Complainant to pay for the imagery that the Complainant used.
In the course of handling this matter, due to apparent difficulties with email communications between the Complainant and [redacted], LCS put the matter on hold as a courtesy while we worked to put the Complainant in touch directly with [redacted] at [redacted]. On May 23, 2016, [redacted] at [redacted] confirmed directly with the Complainant that they do represent, and hold the exclusive right to distribute, the image in question and that [redacted] was unable to locate a valid license for the use of the image at issue by the Complainant. The usage of the image at issue, in the manner detected in this case, would have required licensing from [redacted] have now referred this matter back to LCS for further handling.
Even if the Complainant has removed [redacted]’s imagery from its website, removal alone does not resolve this matter. [redacted]’s imagery is protected by copyright. Copyright law holds responsible anyone who copies or publicly displays an image without authorization of the copyright holder. Copyright infringement is based on strict liability, meaning that the act itself establishes liability and no intent is required. The Complainant’s use of this image without a license constitutes copyright infringement, for which [redacted] is entitled to seek damages, and it is simply doing so through LCS.
In sum, LCS has acted appropriately and in good faith, and it is well within its legal rights to seek damages for unauthorized use of images on behalf of [redacted].
We ask that this matter against License Compliance Services be closed.
Regards,
License Compliance Services, Inc.Telephone: 1.855.387.8725 Email: [email protected]: 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
RE: [redacted]I'd like to thank the representatives from the Revdex.com for providing me with this information, however the information from License Compliance Services, Inc. dba Getty Images, Inc has simply redirected us to now go to a contact at Image Source. Under the circumstance, the only official letter/notice that we've received was sent and clearly outlined in the heading from License Compliance Services, Inc. on behalf of Image Source. We've never received any information or notification's directly from Image Source or anyone ever stating that our company may have overlooked any necessary licensing or the courtesy to allow us to remove any images that weren't properly licensed. Surely a small business owner would purposely violate use of material that was illegal! Again, the ONLY company that has ever sent threatening letters to us was indeed from License Compliance Services, Inc., (LCS); [email protected]; (www.LCS.global) based on the information outlined within the Seattle, WA Revdex.com LCS is dba Getty Images, Inc. LCS is also the only company that has asked for immediate payment in the amount of $550. for a photo that we (small business) was clearly unaware of any violations of use. After being notified by LCS they also warned us that EVEN if we removed the photo from use, we would still need to pay the $550. I immediately contacted the State Attorney's office.
I want the Revdex.com as well as the Washing State Attorney General's Office to be aware that if indeed this company is targeting small businesses and non-profit companies and asking for monies that they can do everything within their power to help protect the public from any fraudulent acts such as this. The letter sent to us was by License Compliance Services, Inc, dba Getty Images, Inc., as I continue to research this company, based on information listed with the state of Washington, Revdex.com has LCS listed as dba as Getty Images, Inc. with 126 complaints within the last 3 years the address in their letterhead is at 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200 Seattle, WA 98104. Whereas Getty Images, Inc. address is shown in Revdex.com at [redacted] Seattle, WA 98103. I will not be contacting any other company and would like this matter to be closed and the threats for payment stopped immediately.
Thank you,
[redacted]
When I first contacted Revdex.com concerning this matter, I gave them the name of Science Photo Library, the name stated on the attached notice. I was told that Science PHoto library is linked with Getty Images, Inc.
We have reviewed the Complainant’s response to our Reply to his initial complaint, sent on May 3, 2017. To be clear, LCS’s customer, Magnum Photos Ltd., represents the photograph at issue of [redacted] taken by Philippe H[redacted] in 1954 (“[redacted] Image”) regardless of whether that image is used on its own or next to another image. It is LCS’s position that the Complainant’s use of the [redacted] Image on the Complainant’s website is an unauthorized use of that image, despite the fact that the [redacted] Image appeared alongside another photograph (a photograph of John Malkovich taken by Sandro M[redacted], the “Malkovich Image”) and despite the fact that art and photography blogs have displayed the [redacted] Image and the Malkovich Image together. The Complainant had no basis to assume he had authorization to use imagery based on seeing that imagery on another website, such as the art and photography blogs the Complainant references. Note that LCS pursues the unauthorized commercial use of the imagery represented by its customers. In addition, we respectfully disagree that LCS failed to provide answers to the questions the Complainant poses. As noted in our May 3rd reply, we responded to the Complainant’s April 18 letter to LCS by letter dated May 3, 2017, and that May 3rd letter provided detailed answers to the Complainant’s questions. We also respectfully disagree with the Complainant’s claim that the damages LCS is seeking from the Complainant increased over the time LCS has been in contact with the Complainant. Thank you for this opportunity to respond to the Complainant’s May 4, 2017 response. We again request that this matter against License Compliance Services be closed. Regards, License Compliance Services, Inc. Telephone: 1.855.387.8725 Email: [email protected] Address: 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104
We are in receipt of the complaint regarding the referenced matter that you forwarded to us recently.
Please note that this claim should properly be directed to [redacted]., in whose name the copyright notice was delivered, not Getty Images or License Compliance...
Services. Please feel free to contact [redacted]. directly per the following contact details:
Simon S[redacted] - [redacted]
We ask that this matter against Getty Images be closed.
Regards,
Getty Images - Copyright Compliance
Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
To initialize this opinion I must point out that I, [redacted] am an authentic human being, aka member of the human race, and also a citizen of the United States of America. Getty Images is a business entity with no discernible living existence human or otherwise.
I removed the images in question immediately upon notification. Some of the images were not even published but reside up the backups on my web server.
If the images (various images of trees in a natural surroundings) have such unique value they should not be readily available on a google image search.
The main party in this issue (the tree in the picture) is content to allow representation of it with no charge, or if it has objections it is not being adequately represented. Given the irrreproducibility of any trees individual existence I do not see the validity of Gettys claim that a human recording of its image has any value apart apart from the value of the individual electrons. I do concede three points:
1. If the tree expressly wishes I will pay the amount getty is asking to a recognized organization involved in efforts to reforest our ailing planet.
2. Because getty has the authority of human created copyright laws (originally written on paper manufactured from unwilling trees), I am (was) happy to remove the images.
3. I am happy to appear in court with my attorney to present this matter. Getty should be aware of the possible decisions resulting from this scenario, even though such results may be unimaginable to Getty at this time.
I do know a photographer who has thousands of photos on file with getty, and this issue over a non-unique image of a tree being displayed at 150p is ridiculous and not a threat to any persons livelihood.
Upon learning of this situation I have used my cell phone camera to create my own images of trees to more than adequately replace the images in question.
Sincerely,[redacted]