Not sure what forum to put this thread in. It's not programming, but it's not Off Topic either. Mods, please move to wherever is appropriate.
I put together a very basic website for a small company using a template software (SiteStudio) that is part of my host. HSphere is the control panel.
Recently the company received a letter claiming an image from Getty Images was being used without permission and that they owe roughly $900 in back license fees.
At first I was inclined to dismiss the letter. I know that I did not take any images from the web for this site. The banner (the image being contested) is part of the SiteStudio template. I looked up the image on Getty Images and I can see the similarity but it's not a match.
Then I did a Google search and the results surprised me. What I read online suggests that Getty Images can claim money owed from a business using a picture even if it was part of the template provided by another company. Getty Images doesn't have to go after the original company (if the image was stolen) and the law supports this.
So,
1. I'm not convinced the image was stolen by SiteStudio, but I can see how a matching search robot might give a high confidence match
2. I did not take the image and have no knowledge of SiteStudio using any images inappropriately
3. I have not heard of problems / issues with SiteStudio and images in the past
4. I'm using a legal, licensed copy of SiteStudio (as if that matters to Getty)
Has anyone encountered this before, or heard anything about it?
It's a "Mom and Pop" size company, $900 is a big deal to them. They're asking me for help. I've already responded with the, "I am not a lawyer and cannot offer legal advice" bit. I can change the template, but the letter indicates that Getty will still expect payment.
Any help is very much appreciated!
Thanks!
I put together a very basic website for a small company using a template software (SiteStudio) that is part of my host. HSphere is the control panel.
Recently the company received a letter claiming an image from Getty Images was being used without permission and that they owe roughly $900 in back license fees.
At first I was inclined to dismiss the letter. I know that I did not take any images from the web for this site. The banner (the image being contested) is part of the SiteStudio template. I looked up the image on Getty Images and I can see the similarity but it's not a match.
Then I did a Google search and the results surprised me. What I read online suggests that Getty Images can claim money owed from a business using a picture even if it was part of the template provided by another company. Getty Images doesn't have to go after the original company (if the image was stolen) and the law supports this.
So,
1. I'm not convinced the image was stolen by SiteStudio, but I can see how a matching search robot might give a high confidence match
2. I did not take the image and have no knowledge of SiteStudio using any images inappropriately
3. I have not heard of problems / issues with SiteStudio and images in the past
4. I'm using a legal, licensed copy of SiteStudio (as if that matters to Getty)
Has anyone encountered this before, or heard anything about it?
It's a "Mom and Pop" size company, $900 is a big deal to them. They're asking me for help. I've already responded with the, "I am not a lawyer and cannot offer legal advice" bit. I can change the template, but the letter indicates that Getty will still expect payment.
Any help is very much appreciated!
Thanks!
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