I'm getting image copyright infringement emails

[Maledictus lectorem]

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.

Exactly. It will cost them upwards of 30k to chase you into your country; tracking you down, and getting you to court. This is why a lot of Americans flee debt to Europe, for instance, because the CC companies won’t chase unless it is really worth it.

 

[Bots-Scrapers]

No worries at all. Just tell them you don't have that money. Tell them also that you do begging 4 hours a day last 10 years.

* peace *

 

[djw1606]

It sounds more like a scammer than a legit request. If you are really concerned, just remove the image from your site, and tell them you have removed it and blame it on your developer or something. Then ignore further emails from them

 

[promoe]

I have already removed the image from the site, but they have screenshots of it on the site, sent in a report to me.

I'm afraid to reply to their emails and then it will be an evidence for them that I read their emails - the man said that in that forum.

Thanks all for your opinions... will tell you what I decided to do..

I have other images from Shutterstock also, maybe should be removed... but you know, I see all these people sharing Shutterstock images on public, isn't it a copyright infringement or what?

I am confused

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

Does changing the image size give me the rights to use it without infringement?

 

[mpikxfx]

Following. It's just nonsense that they sue you $550 bucks for this.

 

[signcode]

You are using a copyrighted images that is why you are receiving those emails mate!

 

[djw1606]

I have already removed the image from the site, but they have screenshots of it on the site, sent in a report to me.

I'm afraid to reply to their emails and then it will be an evidence for them that I read their emails - the man said that in that forum.

Thanks all for your opinions... will tell you what I decided to do..

I have other images from Shutterstock also, maybe should be removed... but you know, I see all these people sharing Shutterstock images on public, isn't it a copyright infringement or what?

I am confused

Does changing the image size give me the rights to use it without infringement?

No, not at all. It just makes the image unique so that it won't show up in back-traces

 

[Phozed]

in most countries you cant sue someone if they did not earn any money with those images..
for example in new Zealand you have to proof that someone earned money with your product before you can proceed.

 

[youveggie]

Remove the copyrighted images and you should be fine, from my personal experience.

 

[face200]

Whre are you from?

 

[zionbar]

I wouldn't reply to the email. Once you reply saying something like "oh sorry didnt know" you're framing yourself of the crime.

 

[deedee1whoa]

in most countries you cant sue someone if they did not earn any money with those images..
for example in new Zealand you have to proof that someone earned money with your product before you can proceed.

Well, if you have ads placed it still counts as that, doesn't it? You're not selling the images directly but still, you are making $$$ thanks to that content.

 

[Phozed]

Well, if you have ads placed it still counts as that, doesn't it? You're not selling the images directly but still, you are making $$$ thanks to that content.

he said he did not make anything from that website

 

[deedee1whoa]

he said he did not make anything from that website

And I'm saying in general.

 

[damagesmith]

The problem with free sites is how do you know the person who uploaded it too the free site
had the right to do so? Really this is an area that is so easy to fall into a trap.

 

[agetmant]

Hey hey hey, before you do anything..Did you ask for proof? Who are "They"? Until it's 100% certain along with proof that the actual owner is behind those emails, you don't owe anyone anything. There are many frauds out there who are searching for easy $$$ these days. I'd suggest contacting an online attorney (lots of them free of charge) for a course of action.

 

[promoe]

Hey hey hey, before you do anything..Did you ask for proof? Who are "They"? Until it's 100% certain along with proof that the actual owner is behind those emails, you don't owe anyone anything. There are many frauds out there who are searching for easy $$$ these days. I'd suggest contacting an online attorney (lots of them free of charge) for a course of action.

it's a company which protects photographers work, they sent a report of the image details and source, looks like their website has a good ranking also..

 

[paulagabin]

I have already removed the image from the site, but they have screenshots of it on the site, sent in a report to me.

I'm afraid to reply to their emails and then it will be an evidence for them that I read their emails - the man said that in that forum.

Thanks all for your opinions... will tell you what I decided to do..

I have other images from Shutterstock also, maybe should be removed... but you know, I see all these people sharing Shutterstock images on public, isn't it a copyright infringement or what?

I am confused

Does changing the image size give me the rights to use it without infringement?

$550 is a lot to ask IMHO. Some images from Shutterstock are royalty-free. Just make sure you're using those and not the paid ones you grab from a google search. Resizing the image won't make a difference if you're using a copyrighted one.

 

[deedee1whoa]

So, any update with this situation? Have you decided what you're going to do?

 

[creatorsaurabh001]

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

Where do you live?