Got the Getty Letter in Canada - Not going to worry about it

[carl818]

I just received the getty images demand letter today for using 3 images demanding $3000. At first I was a little worried but after reading the web have decided to ignore it. I have removed the images from my server for the bare minimum.

The letter was a boiler plate one which mixed up my brand name with my corporate name and was sent to my PO box.

The reason why I am choosing to ignore it is I believe they will do nothing. I have been through the court system a couple times having to collect unpaid bills so I know my around it a little. I don't even feel it's worth taking someone to small claims court over $3000 using only my personal time. The time factor involved is just not worth it.

I checked the Canadian court records just to see if they actually follow through with anything and found 2 lawsuits involving them in 2006 and 2007 both at the federal level. Nothing since then and no small claims in my local province ( small claims court is for cases under $25000 where I live ). With all the demand letters they are sending out you would think they are suing people left and right!

I highly doubt they will do anything since the 2 lawsuits they filed in Canada were 6 years ago and must have been over large amount to justify federal court. Apparently they realized it's too much work actually suing people, at least here in Canada.

The only reason to engage them is if you are worried about being sued and they just aren't suing, in Canada at least. So why even bother responding to them?

So my fellow Canadians I would not worry about getty images

[Robert Krausankas (BuddhaPi)]

Copyright infringement is a federal matter, and I belive this to be true in Canada as well...hence you won't see any prior cases in the small claims court dockets. Getty most likely won't sue over 3 images, but they will continue to hound you.