Photographer Sues Getty in Copyright Violation Lawsuit for $1 Billion Dollars
As we previously reported, Getty Images, a photo agency, regularly sends demand letters to agents and brokers who have used their photographs on websites or for other marketing purposes. Getty demands compensation for the use of their photographs and requests that agents remove Getty’s materials from their website or marketing materials.
Ironically, the photographer whose work is regularly used by Getty recently sued Getty for $1 billion dollars as Getty is not authorized to use her work. She donated her work to the Library of Congress and the American Foundation. She did not authorize Getty to use her work, much less sell it.
It will be interesting to see how this lawsuit progresses and whether Getty will soon stop requesting compensation from agents for use of its photographs.
-Shannon B. Jones, Partner, sbj@sbj-law.com