I'm getting image copyright infringement emails

[promoe]

Hello...

I got an email saying that I used a copyright protected image without a license..

I got the image from Flickr, (i didn't know it was copyrighted)

I used on my woocommerce site - which has no visitors bcs it was failure trial.

They asked me to pay about 550$ for that image and removing the image from the site will not solve the issue.
They said I have to pay before a deadline. or they will escalate to their partner attorney. and I will have to pay much more at that time.

I read a post on a forum saying that he had the same problem and he ignored the emails, but then they managed to reach him and sued him, asking for much more money.
He hired a lawyer to solve the issue and ended up paying a few thousands of dollars.

Now, I don't have that money, bcs I spent a lot on my stupid site - which got me nothing in return.


I don't live in USA or UK...

Do you guys have any idea of what could happen if I ignored?

or do you know anyone who had the same issue? and how did it end up?

Thanks

 

[EternalFun]

Did u just right clicked and saved that image from that site?

 

[promoe]

Did u just right clicked and saved that image from that site?

yes, I think

 

[EliG_SEO]

yes, I think

All my site are done with free images (hundreds). It's really important to verify they're creative common C0 with no referal link needed.

You didn't investigated about copyrights before using web images ? Flickr is just a big trap IMO.

 

[Quality1]

Do they have any other details about you other than your email address? Would it actually be feasible for them to sue you in the country you're living?
These letters are usually just a paper tiger to scare you into paying their licensing fee.

I am definitely not a lawyer, so take this advice with a grain of salt. And use royalty-free / officially licensed photos in the future!

 

[MuayThai]

Hmm, what they will do if you remove the image from your site?..

 

[EternalFun]

Can we use images from freepik.com?

 

[EliG_SEO]

Can we use images from freepik.com?

Is it creative common C0 with no referral link asked ? It's the only question you need to decide if a site or images is ok for you.

Try :

Unsplash
Pixabay
Pxhere
Pexels
Pixnio
Maxpixel

You can use google avanced search too but be VERY careful. Even with the maximum filter you'll get trapped suggestions. Always ask yourself the question "C0 + no ref"

 

[foxlobo31]

I use dreamstime images with watermarks is that copyright? or Im OK?
i dont think it's profitable to sue you if you dont live in USA or any first kind country.

 

[eternalwarrior]

I read a post on a forum saying that he had the same problem and he ignored the emails, but then they managed to reach him and sued him, asking for much more money

Are they from USA?

I don't live in USA or UK

You are safe. No need to worry.

 

[EliG_SEO]

Are they from USA?


You are safe. No need to worry.

Just USA and UK ? I think it apply to North America and Euro Zone as a whole.

 

[MSRP]

Remove the images, block the email. Just ignore it. You'll be fine.

 

[TheMarquis]

$550 for a image?! What is in that pic?! His mother naked?!
Remove the image from your website and block the e-mail. Next time make sure you avoid this kind of situation.
Cheers!

 

[Nut-Nights]

Thanks for the morning laugh

If i was at your place i was going to send reply "I am going to use that image on three more sites and going to upload everywhere for public use, do whaever you want to do"

 

[Stavro]

If you remove the infringing content, and let them know you made zero sales, that is enough to satisfy 99% of these requests. Part of the court process is proving damages, so having no sales means your legal liability would be minimal, and not worth it for the lawsuit to move forward.

Just USA and UK ? I think it apply to North America and Euro Zone as a whole.

If the suing party is within the USA, there is no provision to enforce civil judgements elsewhere, even if OP were in Canada or the UK.

There would be a risk of having a judgement placed against any US-based bank accounts or corporations in the same name, and it would be best to resolve the debt before traveling into the US, otherwise the judgement letter has no power and can be safely ignored.

 

[theeyeinside]

Remove image. Say you are sorry. Didn't know your hobby was hurting anyone, etc

1) Use only free images

2) Use images and give necessary credit

3) Change the size of the image by a pixel or increase the size by a pixel or 2

4) Add a caption to the bottom of the image as part of the image, not text

5) Buy subscription to stock photo images

6) Buy royalty free images from EBay

Look in Wordpress plugins. I seem to remember some plugins that are hooked into free image websites.

This is the power of the corporation /LLC. If your business is in a corporation or LLC, then they can only sue the corporation. If it has no money, they wont bother.

Best regards,

The Eye

 

[macdonjo3]

Hmm, what they will do if you remove the image from your site?..

He already made money off the images, so they're going to collect that. If he kept them up, they'd collect more.

 

[linkshake]

I wonder how they arrived at the fine of $550. This is a shakedown tactic. It's improbable that they are going to pursue this legally. I suggest just deleting the photo. You can even delete the post and have it rewritten with a new copyright free image.

 

[neo]

If you are not in US/UK and they are from US, they won't be able to sue you easily. It will not be worth their time. So you can probably ignore their emails.

However get rid off the copyrighted images. They can get your hosting account and even domain name down. So, remove the images first.

 

[Maledictus lectorem]

Remove the images, block the email. Just ignore it. You'll be fine.

This. Likely the person isn’t a lawyer, just someone poking around mass websites hoping someone bites. Theres a lot of that, in regards to GDPDR (or whatever the acronym is) happening in Germany, for instance.