Fucking Getty Images strikes again!

megatabbers

megatabbers

New member
Jul 21, 2009
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Boston, MA
Just got back from my UPS box and lo and behold, I got hit w/ a Getty Images extortion package ($1,175 for an image used by my web designer)
on a site of mine.

Seeing how this company and its project was a MAJOR failure ($80K loss) and I'm most likely to collapse it (plus the fact that the letter wasn't sent certified) I'd rather take a razor blade to my balls before dipping them in alcohol then write those pricks a check for $1,175.

How have others handled this situation?
 


Doesn't Getty just do this on a big scale and hope a few suckers bite? That's the impression I've always gotten.
 
While I don't condone stealing of copyright material, you should know that Getty Images sends out thousands of these every year. Once you answer, it becomes a "negotiation", where they go back and forth with you in a well-rehearsed format to determine just how much money they can squeeze out of you.

I'm a big proponent of copyright law, but Getty is a different animal, its a shakedown racket, pure and simple. The most important number you need to know when dealing with Getty isn't how much they think you should pay (typically between 2-6k), its knowing the number of website owners they have actually ever followed through and sued in the U.S........ 0
 
ignore. I don't think they've ever actually followed it through. Plus, I think I remember reading that if it was done by a web designer, and you weren't to know, then the only cost you should legally have to pay is the cost to buy the photo.

Also, over here they include VAT (value added tax) in the price, even though they're not VAT registered, which is illegal to do.
 
I just had an attorney client of mine get hit from Masterfile with the same thing from a site someone built them 6 years ago.

He did all the research and run around himself and ended up paying it. From our convo I remember him saying that Masterfile ( maybe not Getty though ) has successfully won in court ( and also lost to some extent ). So there are times where at least Masterfile has gone to court and recoup monies owed to them on this same principle.

I'd say ignore it until you get a court summons to see if they are really playing ball or not. At that time, secure yourself a good IP attorney.
 
megatabbers said:
Just got back from my UPS box and lo and behold, I got hit w/ a Getty Images extortion package ($1,175 for an image used by my web designer)
on a site of mine.

Seeing how this company and its project was a MAJOR failure ($80K loss) and I'm most likely to collapse it (plus the fact that the letter wasn't sent certified) I'd rather take a razor blade to my balls before dipping them in alcohol then write those pricks a check for $1,175.

How have others handled this situation?
Click to expand...

Yep someone has, that someone put that shit in the garbage and never heard from them again ;)
 
I got one, ignored it, then got some kind of reminder and ignored that one too.

I have to admit, I was pissed of at first thinking I need to pay them $XXXX for a fucking picture from a webdesigner.
 
Remove material, ignore.

I think getting one of those is a right of passage. Like growing up. Every successful webmaster will eventually face it. Congrats and welcome to the club (BTW, I don't have to blame my web designer, I steal their images all the time, in fact, I particularly focus on them as a source for images since I hate their tactics)
 
I am not a lawyer.

Don't take advice from me and don't take legal advice from a forum.

However, I'd say all these guys that say to ignore it are spot on, if you can believe them that Getty doesn't follow through unless they get a response back from you.

That would really take more research on you, the OP's part.

I've heard before on cases like this to just ignore and ignore it until you see a lawsuit filed.

I repeat, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.
 
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