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Yesterday, I got a letter from Getty Images demanding that ...
Sent to Legal Experts November 14 10:29 PM

Yesterday, I got a letter from Getty Images demanding that I remove an image from their collection from my Web site. They also demanded that I pay $1200 in damages for copyright infringement. However, they said, if I paid by Nov. 22, I could pay a "discounted" amount, $1,020. Today, I got an email from them offering to "settle" for $600.

If I had realized royalties were due on the photo, I would have paid them before I put the picture on my Web site. That's not the issue...

The letter is printed on letterhead that was obviously photocopied. And there's no signature or contact person. And then they offered to settle for a lesser amount by email. ???

How do I know this is a legitimate claim, not a scam?

Thanks...

 

Optional Information:
Maryland

Already Tried:
Called on the phone and got a voice mail message saying they'd return my call within two weeks. Send an email and got a reply with some typos and the offer to settle for $600.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
November 15 12:34 AM (2 hours and 4 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
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Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy),

I also use getty images. I Am a frequent user of the site. YOu may not have noticed, but they have various categories of images. some are royalty free, some required licensing, etc.

The way to check it out is to find your picture on Getty and find out if it is royalty free or not.

You can also contact them at one of the phone numbers listed here and see if they are doing this.

http://www.gettyimages.com/Corporate/ContactUs.aspx

GEtty is cracking down, but I do not think the would use an unprofessional letter.

They may, but that is not the right thing to do.

 



Edited by Ed Johnson on November 15 2007 at 12:38 AM

YOUR PAYMENT AND BONUS IF ANY MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Edward M. Johnson
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Ed Johnson -- International HR Consultant -- 99% Positive Feedback on 3288 Legal Accepts
GPHR cer BS, U.S.C. Pueblo; Immigration Law by Am. Mngmnt Association & USCIS Bus. Liaison ofc 1999
Reply
November 15 1:41 AM (1 hour and 6 minutes and 25 seconds later)
         
This image has been on my Web site for years. I didn't download it from Getty's Web site -- I didn't even know Getty existed until yesterday. I got the picture from a collection of "free" art at www.i-love-cats.com.

What I want to know is how do I find out if the letter and email actually came from Getty. And how would I get to talk with a real person there? When I called the 800 number on the letter I got a voice mail message saying they'd get back to me within two weeks.

Missy



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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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November 15 2:15 AM (34 minutes and 3 seconds later)
         
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1 Other Expert Agrees with this!
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Ed Johnson -- International HR Consultant -- 99% Positive Feedback on 3288 Legal Accepts
GPHR cer BS, U.S.C. Pueblo; Immigration Law by Am. Mngmnt Association & USCIS Bus. Liaison ofc 1999
Reply
November 15 2:37 AM (22 minutes and 42 seconds later)
         
Thanks so much. I'll give them a call.

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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