Copyright on the Internet
The Infuriating Tale of Two Cites:
Citation #1. Unauthorized Use
Citation #2. Settlement Demand Notice
 As all website owners know, it is critical to respect all copyright on
the internet rules or they can leave themselves open to experiencing
internet copyright issues and, as a result, find themselves subjected
to enforcement of internet copyright laws.
Yes indeed, it's your favorite friendly super cyber whiz (again with
the second part of this heart-stopping tale), Gnomely, Webmaster
Extraordinaire, here to remind you (quite emphatically) DO NOT, under any circumstances
what-so-ever, let the big corporate guys bully you!
Here's why. . .
As Sue has unfortunately experienced, Getty Images has adopted an all
out-and-out predatory stance in regards to their dubious ethical
practice of creating a monetizing strategy by employing their own
enforcement of copyright on the internet, that quite frankly, smacks of
downright extortion.
The not-so-nice letter Sue received from Getty Images accused her of
being in violation of internet copyright laws included a demand notice
for retroactive payment, penalty fees and settlement charges- to the
tune of a mere $1,655- for the unauthorized use of 2 images on her
anti-aging skin care site. (Payment due upon receipt no less!)
Just take a look at the entire 8 page packet she
received from Getty Image's "Copyright Compliance Team":
Can you believe it?
To me, all the material appears to be a basically thinly veiled bulling
tactic detailing a carefully spun justification of Getty Images to send
threatening settlement demands notices for astronomical amounts of
money in an effort to scare the beejeebers out of the recipients so
they will immediately send Getty the money demanded!
Getty even had the audacity to include a FAQ that addresses a variety
of internet copyright issues that clearly allows for no recourse,
options, discussion or negotiation whatsoever other then to immediately
send payment or risk the threat that their legal department will pursue
filing a lawsuit to add to their growing number of copyright
infringement cases.
 As Sue read the through the
packet the first time, I know for a fact
that her stomach became more and more nauseous- to the point that I was
almost certain that she would have to run for the kitchen sink to
heave-ho her lunch.
Holy Toledo!
$1,655.00?
How could Sue (or anyone else for that matter) possible come up with
that kind of money?
Immediately no less!
Those cads.
Even I, the most insightful and talented Cyber Gnome of all time, could
clearly see that panic had started to set in and that Sue's heart had
started to pound at a fierce rate. After having to stand stoically by
and witness that fearsome rant that included all that endless cursing,
her lip started to quiver and tears began to roll down her cheeks.
I felt so bad for her but however brilliant I might be, let's be
brutally honest
here, whatever is a miniature over-stuffed Gnome going to do other than
to lend my never-ending silent support by standing stoically by her
side and
giving her all the encouragement that my wee little presence can
convey to help her battle these false copyright on the internet
allegations.
True to Sue's usual form, I sighed with relief as she finally swiped
the tears from her face with shaking hands and took a deep, long
breath. (Well, if truth be told, I think it was really an acute case of
hyperventilation which gradually subsided into a form of deep,
desperate gasps for air.)
That's my girl!
She had managed to put aside the hysterics and put on her thinking cap
in response to my silent mental equivalent of a "get a grip girl, haul
up those big girl panties and start figuring this out" pep talk.
As Sue
gradually calmed down, her brain cells kicked into high gear as she
began figuring out how she wasn't going to belly-up and take Getty
Image's accusations, threats or demands for her hard earned money
without a good old-fashioned get-your-dukes-up, roll-in-the-dirt, all
out fight. . .
No one, not even a big respected company like Getty, was
going to make false accusations about her website and her lack of
compliance with any of the copyright on the internet laws.
Yee Haw!
You go get 'em girl!
Right then and there before my astonished eyes, Sue donned her armor
and transformed herself into
the notorious. . .
(I would now like to have the privilege of humbly presenting Sue's top-secret alter ego.)
The one.
The only.
(Psst. . . Wild applause here.)
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