Forum

Copyright of photographs
 

Hi

I sell items via ebay in the UK and today got an email from someone in Germany claiming to be copyright owner of certain photos used on ebay listings and claims we could be fined 16000 euros and his lawyers have been contacted.

Now we dont knowingly use others images but saying this guy is correct what can we expect if his images have been used on about 5-10 listings like he claims?

Basically what do we do next as he doesnt seem to want to communicate what listings they are or anything else really, only the lawyers threat that he has spoken to.

How would he start legal proceedings if he does so we can be prepared.

Thanks, John

Can't you just take your own photos?

1. Odds are he is scaring you to take down his photos.
2. Take down his photos considering they are his.
3. Take your own photos.

Where did you get the photos? In the print world the photo must have a copyright mark on it to be legally claimed. Or paperwork accompanying the photo.

I would just ask him to show its his photo. OR just stop using someone elses photos is better.

Take your own is how you should be doing it.

I got the photos from google images, they dont have any copyright signature on them from what I can see, he now says he never loses a case in court and got 2400 euros recently but then in his final paragrath says if we pay him 300 euros it will be done with, strange demand if he thinks he never loses....Think i'll take my chances.

I am sure he full of BS but Just to be safe just take your own. Really piss him off and take them exactly like his. lol Try to get it exact but put a watermark on the corner with your name or something.

I bet If I dug enough I would find he is full of it and he is not the owner of them at all and is just using them on ebay or amazon like anyone else. just wants his competition to stop getting his sales.

I would not be surprised if this "chap" is a member here either ha - bs threats. Just be clean about your biz.

I think I remember reading that in Germany if someone takes a photo they automatically own copyright although I don't know how that would work because you're in the UK. In my opinion he is full of it and probably doesn't even own the photo, just scours ebay and tries to pressure people into paying him. But then again aspkin isn't a legal forum so you may want to contact a professional.