The Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter
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VIP Contact List Last updated: 9/20/2009 In the U.S., the Licensing Compliance Department of Getty Images appears to be based in Seattle, WA. I have assembled names and addresses of influential people that work at government agencies that have legal jurisdiction over Getty Images in Seattle, WA. Part of their jobs is to ensure that businesses conduct themselves accordingly and consumers are protected against business abuses. I have not yet contacted them but will likely do so as time permits. However, I encourage you to write or contact these important individuals. Complain to people who can actually do something. Simply venting and complaining on the Internet is not enough. The names I have selected come from the Washington State Elected Officials page.
According to the Washington State Corporations Database, there are two active Getty Images corporations in operation:
According to the New York State Corporations Database, there are three active Getty Images corporations in operation:
Electronic Frontier Foundation American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) Other Getty Images locations include: Getty Images, Chicago Getty Images, Los Angeles Getty Images, New York It may eventually be necessary to include government officials and agencies that have jurisdiction in these locations also. For now, it appears within the U.S., the Seattle office is handling the License Compliance issues. Who Not To Contact (Waste of Time) IBPA - The Independent Book Publishers Association Terry Nathan is the Executive Director of the IBPA. He appears to have little authority, willingness, and background knowledge of the severity of this issue. Even with my emails and a simple phone discussion, he doesn't "get it". With an alleged membership of a few thousand members, I would have thought that independent publishers and self-published authors would want to know about the Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter situation so they could be proactive and to get their "images usage" in order. The membership knowing about this issue and this website actually serves both Getty and the unknowing infringer. Getty can get image users to double-check their image licensing and take corrective measures. And the unknowing letter recipient can be proactive before getting the aggravation Letter. I want any member of IBPA who receives a Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter to know that both the Executive Director, Terry Nathan, and the Newsletter Editor, Judith Appelbaum, had the opportunity to share a blurb or make at least a small mention about this ahead of time so that you didn't have to receive a Letter. Clearly, I wasted my time and breath. I am now confident an IBPA member will have to learn the hard way after it is too late. You can thank their wonderful insights into what is best for the membership. I wrote a commentary on the TurnKey Publishers Blog because this is such an important issue. |
Legal Representation
I "discovered" Oscar on a Google search when he graciously provided some great advice on AVVO.com to a fellow Letter recipient in Houston, TX. Oscar has an Excellent AVVO rating. Independent of meeting me and encountering this website, Oscar has been following the Getty Images Settlement Letter phenomena on the Internet for awhile. Oscar has agreed to legally represent and assist those individuals who want it. I currently work with Oscar to ensure that we have an effective and a cost-efficient representation program for the small busineess entrepreneur. You can contact Oscar at his email address: omichelen@sbmlegal.com. Or you can call to make an appointment for a free consultation at his Toll-free #: 800-640-2000. If you are outside of the U.S., call 212-517-3200. (Personal comment by the Editor: Please be prepared, have your facts straight, be concise, and be respectful when you communicate with Oscar. During the consultation, please do not be long-winded and wear him out. He is being gracious about this. Let's be courteous to him and his time. We do not need a few bad apples to ruin it for everyone.)
Meet Oscar Michelen. Learn more about his background, education, and experience. Lime One Ltd. Represents 300 U.K. Clients Against Getty Images I was informed by a letter recipient that she is using Lime One, a U.K.-based Law firm, to represent her. The article "Is a picture really worth £1,000?" by The Guardian states that Lime One now represents over 300 clients against Getty Images and not none of those clients have ever been taken to court. I have no direct relationship with Lime One as I do with Attorney Oscar Michelen. And so I cannot comment as to the qualifications or the service of Lime One. However, this piece of information is something we have been seeking for our U.K. readers. Seeking Experienced International Intellectual Property Attorneys Oscar and I are seeking experienced international intellectual attorneys from the U.K., Canada, and Australia that would like to join our cause and this website. Please email us if you are interested in working with us. Oscar Michelen's Petition Letter to New York Governor I make it a point to research on the Internet those individuals I associate myself with. I discovered Oscar's petition letter to the New York Governor concerning the high-profile Justice for Sentosa 27 Plus Case he was working on at the time. Take a look at his contribution to this case. International VIP Contact List If you are in Canada, United Kingdom, or Australia, feel free to provide me a list of contact information of those government officials and the agencies that are involved with Consumer Protection and Affairs. Also, if there are attorneys and lawyers who want to be listed here, I will be happy to do so. If there any international attorneys that would be interested in joining our cause, please contact us. Send email to:
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Oscar Michelen is a highly-respected and successful New York Attorney with 20+ years experience and a Partner of 
