Photographer forcing us to pay for using his sh1tty image ?

[Nauthiz666]

So my company used a random photo of a city to announce in our blog a new location opening. So this photographer emails us basically saying we have to pay for it, already took a screenshot so removing it is useless etc etc, fucker wants like 500 bucks for this lame photo. Can I just delete it and ignore him or what?

 

[Mr Stark]

You can simply remove the pic and claim he photoshopped his screenshot, but that would be unethical.

A good solution for both sides would be to add his credits to your site, but the question is if he'd accept that...

 

[assphuck]

So my company used a random photo of a city to announce in our blog a new location opening. So this photographer emails us basically saying we have to pay for it, already took a screenshot so removing it is useless etc etc, fucker wants like 500 bucks for this lame photo. Can I just delete it and ignore him or what?

You might be able to. But I know someone this happened to and the person followed up with a letter from an attorney threatening to sue. I personally would wait until that point before cutting a check. If they reside in a different country, well then hit the ignore button.

 

[Nauthiz666]

It's a bullshit photo and makes no benefit to us to use except for aesthetics of the blog post. Plus it was like 200-500 bucks he wants I believe. The threat of the screenshot crap makes me not want to pay him for acting like a vulture, but then again what photographers aren't? Anyways, should I just remove it and ignore him and let him continue bitching for awhile. We have a fairly legit legal crew I am sure =).

 

[KeyMouse]

if his photo is sh1tty don't use it.Otherwise pay what he asked for or remove it.

 

[Mr Stark]

You might be able to. But I know someone this happened to and the person followed up with a letter from an attorney threatening to sue. I personally would wait until that point before cutting a check. If they reside in a different country, well then hit the ignore button.

Even if they sue, they can't prove that the pic was actually on the site (unless wayback machine or google cache caught it, which I doubt, especially if the site is smaller).

 

[txhepoker]

If it's gone, ignore it. Then, take his photo and randomly paste it under different names at any free photo sharing sites to add validation that you did not take it from him directly.The cost associated with him trying to recoup any damages will not be worth the time.

 

[Duffers5000]

He cant just set an arbitrary figure, thats what judges do. If I thought I coulld ignore him I would but if you know he is within your area and likely to pursue you then try and find if the image is offered commercially already and see how much is the re-licensing cost....strictly speaking thats all he would be allowed to seek from you.

If you are going to use un licensed pictures better getting amateur stuff off flickr where no one will be coming after you.

 

[mdsurf]

Who even knows if the photo is his. He could be trying to scam you. I would just remove it and ignore him and you could claim ignorance. It's not like he sent you a cease and desist and you ignored it. Just remove it and you will be fine. $500 for a crappy photo is ridiculous and he's just hoping to get lucky.

 

[manny521]

It's a bullshit photo and makes no benefit to us to use except for aesthetics of the blog post. Plus it was like 200-500 bucks he wants I believe. The threat of the screenshot crap makes me not want to pay him for acting like a vulture, but then again what photographers aren't? Anyways, should I just remove it and ignore him and let him continue bitching for awhile. We have a fairly legit legal crew I am sure =).

I would take the phone down and use something different. This guy is not going to take you to court over $200-500 bucks and better yet, what respectable attorney is going to take that case as there isn't really anything to win...

 

[assphuck]

Save the screenshot he took of your site and threaten to sue him for transmitting your copyrighted work. Just kidding. Remove the image and cut off communication with him. Ban his IP from your site too. If you get a letter from an attorney, then respond. Chances are you will never get the letter anyway. Unless it is a picture of a person or someone/something that can be validated in a court, just proving he owns copyright of the image could be his greatest challenge. Good luck

 

[alternatesword]

Actually, where you got that sh1tty image? if you got it from free image sharing sites, just ignore him.

 

[txhepoker]

Tell That Mother F*cker that you are part of the best forum in the world... and if doesn't watch his shit he's going to spend his kids college fund trying to repair the damage inflicted for being an @sshole!!

 

[GardenClock]

I'd thank him for bringing it to your attention. The picture was provided by a third party and you were unaware of the copyright infringement and will be removing the image.

I don't see it as being that much different than when someone posts copyrighted content on Youtube. Youtube takes it down and I can't imagine they are paying for it.

 

[ferma231]

Copyrights.

Remove pic, take your own, and you will be good.
If you dont do this, will have to pay more then $500 , more like $50k

 

[loclhero]

If this shitty photographer happens to be Getty images, you're fucked. You will never get out of paying them.
If it's just some dude with a camera who took the pic, let him take you to court.
But you better be sure it's not Getty

 

[radarsurge]

Trust me. Pay him and take it as a lesson learned: Take your own dang pic.

I've worked with photographers (on bodybuilding ecomm sites, for example) that charged 2k for a 1 day shoot plus 6k for the customer to be able to use the photos in advertising. It sounds crazy, but it's a whole different world so I would say $500 isn't even too bad.

 

[Nauthiz666]

If this shitty photographer happens to be Getty images, you're fucked. You will never get out of paying them.
If it's just some dude with a camera who took the pic, let him take you to court.
But you better be sure it's not Getty

nah just looks like some freelancer with his own photo site. But he is a professional / its a professional photo.