WNY Models

Jenn · by **Jenn** on April 6th, 2005, 6:59 am

I would never steal anyone's photos or even use my own without the photographer's permission.

But what do you do when some steals your photos and pots them as their own?

Is there some way to get them in trouble?

Don't I have rights to the pictures I take ??

JimmyZ · by **JimmyZ** on April 6th, 2005, 8:09 am

It has happened to me.

This is what you do first.

E-Mail the individual with a request that you take down the images and stop using them as your own.
(make sure you have a return receipt request and you e-mail a copy of this to either yourself or a collegue.)

If no response or they refuse, then contact a Legal department and find out how much money it will be to persue this. A letter from the Lawyer is usually 99% effective. It might cost upwards of 200 dollars though.

The best you can do to this person is take him to court. It will be expensive for you and the defendant. They will rule in your favor and then they will take down the images. 3K later on both parties your settled.

If the last two options are usually avoided due to the cost. Having someone write them in an e-mail posing as a Lawyer could be productive. Even if the person is caught, what are they going to do? They are in violation of YOUR RIGHTS anyways!

In your e-mail, mention the words LEgal council, Persue this further, this e-mail MUST be acknowledged.

Hope this helped. If you need more help let me know twister@twisterproductions.com :cool:

KHatch · by **KHatch** on April 6th, 2005, 7:10 pm

Jenn,
As soon as you take the photo, you have legal ownership of that photo. You can procede with legal paths but the expense may not be worth it as you can't recover legal fees unless they are registered with the copyright office. This is much easier now as you can register multiple images at once.

If the offender posted on their website, you can contact their host/isp and if they're on the ball, they should take action. If the images are posted on a forum or listings site, contact the administrator.

In any event, you should send a cease and desist letter to the offending party, preferrably a letter via certified mail with return receipt (that's hard copy documentation) if you can get their name and address - easier than you might think since it's very difficult to be anonymous on the net.

If all else fails, public humiliation might have an effect if you are careful not to be slanderous.

Good luck.

Jenn · by **Jenn** on April 7th, 2005, 7:03 am

Well my pitcure was posted in a fourm. I was wold be a friend that someone ws using my photo. She told the site admid and she exposed the girl who stole the pic. I would really like to get in touch with the girl and to she why she did it. I mean how pathetic can you be to steal someone's pic.

JimmyZ · by **JimmyZ** on April 9th, 2005, 9:07 am

Jenn wrote:Well my pitcure was posted in a fourm. I was wold be a friend that someone ws using my photo. She told the site admid and she exposed the girl who stole the pic. I would really like to get in touch with the girl and to she why she did it. I mean how pathetic can you be to steal someone's pic.

Ok, Now I am a little more aware of the situation.

Being a moderator many Forums I can say this.

"stealing" is a bit of a harsh word for what this girl did.

I would say she used your images without your permission. A simple ackowledgement to the Forum administrator and I am sure they will take it down lickity split.

Can't you PM this girl on that forum?

Jenn · by **Jenn** on April 9th, 2005, 9:17 am

She won't reply to anyone

WNY Models

Photo stealing is wrong - Someone stole some of my pics

Who is online