Copyright infringement, what to do?

sysops · Nov 13, 2007

Hi all,

I posted this in legal, but then thought it might be better here.

Someone is using an animated gif image which they have copied from one of our sites on their site. This kind of thing happens occasionally, and is usually easily resolved with a polite email. Unfortunately the polite email has been ignored, and they don't answer the phone.

What's the best course of action?

TIA

MartCactus · Nov 13, 2007

sysops said:
Hi all,

I posted this in legal, but then thought it might be better here.

Someone is using an animated gif image which they have copied from one of our sites on their site. This kind of thing happens occasionally, and is usually easily resolved with a polite email. Unfortunately the polite email has been ignored, and they don't answer the phone.

What's the best course of action?

TIA

Try writing to the host. We've done this with unlicensed software where we own the copyright, but the same should apply with photos, images or any other content.

If you don't know who the host is, go to

www centralops [dot] net ( i can't yet post full URL) and then click domain dossier. Put the domain name in there and you should get a load of info, including who is hosting the site. Then lookup contact details on their site, and write them a polite email or letter setting out
1) a link to the image being complained of
2) evidence or proof that the image is your copyright (ideally images should have copyright notice embedded in them, makes this part much easier)
3) a declaration that the person using the image does not have permission, and that all facts in your statement are true to the best of your knowledge.

We've used this in the UK and also against US hosts. Most major first world countries have copyright provisions that mean ISPs must remove such content if made aware of its status.

Mart

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Copyright infringement, what to do?

sysops

MartCactus

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