Q: I received a legal letter from a law firm representing an entity in France stating I used two pictures on my small
website without their license. Those pictures I took off the Internet and saw nothing about having to pay a fee for them. Usually such pictures are imbossed with 'copy' across them and these weren't. These just came up from a Google search that I copied and pasted. I since removed the page they were on from my website at least 3 years ago. However, they are asking for $2100 for their license now. It doesn't sound like a big amount but to me it is. I would like to hear an attorney's thoughts in this area and where I might stand. It sounds more like a small claims issue, but I don't know much about copywrite law. I'm in Phoenix and this law firm is in Nevada. My business website drop ships home security products and hasn't been put in an LLC yet. What are your thoughts and opinions?
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A:
Copyright claims like this can be frustrating, especially when the images were found through a simple Google search. Just because an image doesn’t have a watermark or a visible copyright notice doesn’t mean it’s free to use. Many images online are protected, and using them without permission can lead to claims like the one you received. However, the fact that you removed the images years ago may play a role in how this claim is handled.
It’s worth looking into whether the demand is legitimate or a tactic to pressure payment. Some firms send mass copyright claims hoping recipients will pay without question. You may want to ask for proof of their rights to the images and how they calculated the amount they’re demanding. If they can’t provide clear evidence, they may not have a strong case.
Since your website isn't under an LLC, there could be personal liability concerns, but this doesn’t automatically mean you should pay. A response disputing the claim or negotiating a lower amount could be an option. If the firm does decide to pursue legal action, it would likely be in small claims court, where you could defend yourself. Given the amount requested, it may be worth consulting an attorney who can help you assess your risks and options before making any decisions.
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