Messages

1

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: PicRights.com

« on: November 09, 2017, 11:57:57 AM »

I hear you on that. That's why still haven't responded so far. However, I just got another email this morning from Picrights. It's essentially the same email / letter, but this time it's from Dan Pollack, General Counsel, stating: "Unless you contact us within 14 days, we will withdraw our proposal to resolve this claim and we may refer this matter may be referred to outside legal counsel to pursue other options." It wasn't written well.  So, I guess this guy is probably Geoff Beal's boss?  Pollack is apparently a lawyer who works for MF as well. Anyone, received similar email / letters from this him?

2

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: PicRights.com

« on: November 01, 2017, 07:32:10 PM »

Well, I got my second email from Picrights. Basically the same letter with a revised date demanding the same amount. Still debating whether to ignore or respond. 

3

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: PicRights.com

« on: October 09, 2017, 04:55:18 PM »

How do you plan to respond to them?

I have not decided whether to respond or not at the moment. I could ignore it and have them continue to harass me or pay them what they want or offer a fair market value number which they may reject, counter-offer or accept. I have only been notified once via email and hard copy. I'm sure there will be more to come if I choose to ignore it. 

4

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: PicRights.com

« on: October 05, 2017, 07:25:02 PM »

I got a letter from them too via email and follow up letter mail. I never heard of PicRights.com until recently.  The Copyright Compliant officer is Geoff Beal (of Masterfile) acting on the behalf of Agence France Presse. Offices appear to be in Canada and Switzerland. They're demanding $720 for an image we unintentionally used on our blog 11 months ago. Similar images to license are between $12 to $15. I'm still a newbie on this site, but am quickly learning as I go through the forum and other related websites. Bottom line, it sucks! This is the first time we did not check whether the image was copyrighted or registered. It was definitely unmarked, but still not an excuse. However with that said, most companies would send out a cease and desist letter as a warning. I've done the same to small to big companies who borrowed some of my designs to sell on t-shirts without permission. For a little business guy without high paid lawyers, that was all I could do according to my legal attorney at that time. But the company did pull their clothing from the stores as soon as they got the cease and desist letter. The roles are now reversed here, but these copyright trolls have no mercy.