Theft of My Photo

[philip gleeson]

<p>Hi there,<br>

I live in Ireland, recently a lady from the states emailed me to ask could she use my photo. She wished to paint a watercolour of this photo. Naturally I was chuffed and agreed immediately. I asked her where she found my photo and she said that an American (religious/Faith) website was using it. She said they they have copyrighted it. She Emailed them for permission to use the image. They never responded and she searched on-line and discovered my photo where it should have been- on Photo.net. Naturally she was also concerned that this American website had used and copyrighted this photo. I have found a few of my photos around the internet - they have always credited me for taking them. I am very happy with this attitude.</p>

<p>What should I do, should i politely ask them to credit me or remove the photo? They've already ignored my friend who alerted me to this matter. In Ireland this is basic theft. How do the Americans deal with this?<br>

Thanks for your help/advice</p>

<p>Philip<img src="../photo/6147499" alt="" /></p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>They cannot "copyright" the image. You own the copyright by virtue of creating the image in the first place. They have no rights that you do not assign to them, and no legit usage (especially decorating their web site!) without your explicit permission. They are bad people.<br /><br />Yes, you should contact them. By sending them an invoice for your customary licensing fees, covering the use they've made. They will of course play innocent, and you can then tell them that they simply need to remove the image. Now. Or else.<br /><br />I realize that you're pleased when people enjoy your images. But if you don't at least get people to ask your permission, you're contributing to the (very unfortunate) atmosphere in which we operate these days: where people think that anything they can find online is theirs to use as they see fit. At least make them <em>ask</em> you. Stop the madness!</p>

[m_tt_donuts]

<p>That is unfortunate, I would contact the domain hosting company and inform them of the situation. I would say most places are pretty strict with that sort of thing in the USA. That's to say, USA is very strict about using copyrighted materials illegally so you have a good chance they will be on your side.</p>

<p>First go to <a href="http://www.dnstools.com">www.dnstools.com</a> and enter the site name and check off Do it all. You'll get a lot of info, phone numbers, etc. The site name for example if google stole it, would be google.com. </p>

<p>You should then get a lot of information of who owns the site, phone numbers, and more importantly if this is a small organization they will have a hosting company. That's who you need to call or contact to explain to them your situation. Explain that you've repeatedly tried to contact them, and they are using your copyrighted material illegally and you require the removal of the item. Just leave it at that and see what they say or what happens.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

[ianivey]

<p>Document the usage in a way you can preserve prior to notifying the host and/or infringing party. For example, some Firefox plugins allow you to make a complete copy of a web site; you might also simply print the site to pdf. However you do it, be sure you can produce evidence of their infringing use even if they remove the photo. </p>

<p>You may simply want to contact the infringing party and provide an invoice for use of the photo. Up to you whether you want to provide the option simply to remove it immediately from the site, or demand payment for the use they've already enjoyed.</p>

<p> </p>

[Stock-Photos]

<p>I suggest reading my <a href="http://www.saugus.net/Photos/copyright_notice.shtml">photographers copyright notice</a> (and Hall of Shame)</p>

[philip gleeson]

<p>Thanks all,</p>

<p>I contacted them and they are removing it from their website.</p>

[walter_strong5]

<p>Ah, life in the 21st. century!</p>