Beware the Danger of an Unauthorized Photo
And How It Almost Cost Me When I Didn’t Use a Stock Photo
Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Getty Images that alleged I had stolen a photo and now owed them money!
As an author, I am a member of three different national writer’s groups and many Facebook groups as well. I learned years ago that it was bad to use other people’s pictures. I prided myself on the fact that I only used royalty-free or stock photos from the internet.
But I obviously missed one!
This is the email I received:
605 5th Ave S, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104 USA
Tel 1 800 972 4170 www.gettyimages.comDecember 1, 2017
Via physical mail and email
Unauthorized Use of Getty Images Imagery — Reference Number: xxxx — Kimberley Payne
According to our records, there is no valid license issued to your company for the use of that imagery.
Use of imagery without a valid license is considered copyright infringement and entitles Getty Images to seek compensation for infringing uses (Canadian Copyright Act, The United States Copyright Act of 1976). The cost of settlement for past usage of the imagery on your company’s website is…
