Image Theft

jordanmcclements · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 10:15 AM

Not long back, I visited one my local newspaper web sites :-

www.spectatornewspapers.co.uk

only to find that they had a wee flash collage/animation on the home page which contained 2 of the photos from my web site...

I tried contacting the guy responsible for the web site by email - but this proved impossible - so I ended up having to write (and post) a letter to them (does anyone remember the days before email when this was your only option?), anyway.. The letter said it appeared that they had used my images without permission, and would they please contact me (noting too strong or anything)..

A few weeks later I had no reply and the web site had not changed.

Approx 3 weeks later it HAD changed so it no longer included my images, but I have still heard nothing from them...

(I would have settled for a link back to my web site if they had contacted me).

(I have a local copy of the old web site for reference).

I suppose I should really just minor matter go, and forget it.

Does anyone have any advice?

trsiyengar · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 10:27 AM

The only way you could have made them to contact you was to slap a legal notice on copyright violations. (Even if you've not copy righted, a simple notice could have changed them!).

Incidentally, I had many such instances of my articles pilfered and posted elsewhere by many other persons. On sending such a notice (by email only!), I got a positive response.

Now all such posts carry a link to my website, quoting as source of info.

Now, next time you be alert to get them hold.

Oh, you should have posted this message elsewhere, so that your message could have invited more discussions and suggestions (http://www.webproworld.com/viewforum.php?f=47 ) ??

**jawn_tech** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 07:01 PM

That's interesting for a newspaper to do that. Our local newspaper sent a cease and desist letter to a colleague of mine who runs a website featuring news about local entertainment events, claiming he was using their news about events (which he proved were untrue as he had got his info directly from the source). He basically told them to stuff it.

But for a newspaper to steal images, that's pretty blatant theft. The fact they went so long and still never answered for it means they probably felt the pics served their purpose. Possibly the fact they took them down had nothing to do with your request; perhaps they were just finished using them.

One way to get their attention is to send them an invoice to their billing department for license fees, for the duration they ran your images. Or, per the terms on your website, you could give them the option of linking to you for the amount of days they ran your images.

Give them 10 business days and if no response, file it with small claims court (that's what we call it here in the US.. not sure about Ireland). Send a press release about the case to other media in the area.

It would be a win-win situation. The newspaper would think twice next time, and your business gets exposure.

jordanmcclements · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 06:24 AM

Thanks for the replies...

It is called the small claims court here also...

I think they did take them down because of my letter as the new layout smacks of a hastily cobbled together job compared to what it was...

I also have no idea how long they were up there for!

But, the more I think about it - the more I think the best strategy is just to forget about it..

Most people in this part of the world who read the local press don't even have a computer!

99.9% of my traffic comes from non-local people searching for images etc on the internet.

I had one of my photos published in an article in a local paper with my web site address under it not long ago and I think I got another 2 visitors!

Incidentally (totally off topic) while I am typing this reply - I cant help but notice that the built in spell checker in Firefox 2 is fantastic!

**jawn_tech** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 04:16 PM

Even without computers as prominent, you're lucky living in Ireland. My Irish blood yearns to visit the homeland, lol.

jordanmcclements · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 10:33 AM

:-)

Make sure you visit the North while you are over!

It really is nice over here now (if you dont mind rain).....