Threatening Emails License Compliance Services / Getty Images Scam
Examples below of the kind of intimidating and threatening emails sent out by these companies. Note the extortionate amount of money being requested is in this case £496.00 for a single image. However, we have had reports of people being hounded for much more.
In this instance communications from this company were completely ignored and they stopped sending them. The image in question, which was not ideally watermarked, was removed upon receipt of the first email and replaced with an alternative.
If you need imagery for your website, there are now quality images available, free to use, provided by well-meaning people, from websites such as Pixabay and you won't be opening yourself to attracting this kind of extortionate, intimidating and threatening communication.
License Compliance Services, Ltd. on behalf of Science Photo Library Ltd.
101 Bayham Street
London NW1 0AG, United Kingdom
Telephone: 0800 376 2514, www.LCS.global
21 March 2016
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION - Case Number: 384130904
_________________________________________________
1. Our represented imagery is/was used on your website.
2. Our records do not show a valid license for this use of our imagery.
Your action is required within 10 business days to resolve this matter.
To resolve this matter, please go to https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652 where you will be able to:
• Provide your valid license / authorisation.
• Or settle online.
For inquiries, call: 0800 376 2514. More details can be found below.
Attn: Crosstalk Foundation
Science Photo Library Ltd., a global provider of digital imagery, has become aware of an instance(s) of its represented imagery being used on your company's website. Our records do not indicate that valid licensing has been issued to your company for the use of the image(s). If your company does in fact hold a valid license(s) for the image(s) in question, please provide any relevant documentation (valid license, purchase records, documentation of authorisation). We will review your documentation and update our records if appropriate.
This letter has been sent to you by License Compliance Services ("LCS"), a company that specialises in assisting copyright holders with the management and protection of their content. With regards to this case, Science Photo Library Ltd. has mandated LCS to resolve the matter of your online use of Science Photo Library Ltd.'s imagery.
Use of imagery represented by Science Photo Library Ltd. without proper licensing is considered copyright infringement and entitles Science Photo Library Ltd. to pursue compensation for infringing uses (Copyright Design and Patents Act of 1988).
To view the image(s) in question together with proof evidencing your use of these images on your website, go to: https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652
As an example, see below Science Photo Library Ltd.'s image "g2101064" as used on your website:
Original image
Proof of use
TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER - (Case Number: 384130904)
You are required to take action within 10 business days of the date of this email, as follows:
• If your company possesses a valid license(s) or other authorisation for the use of the imagery, please provide license purchase and/or authorisation documentation at https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652 and we will close this case (upon verification of the documentation by Science Photo Library Ltd.).
• If your company does not hold valid license(s) or other authorisation for the use of the imagery, you must:
o Submit a settlement payment in the amount of £496.00 (payment options are provided below).
o Immediately cease use of the image(s) in question.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
• Online payment: You may submit payment online at:
https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652
• Cheque payment: You may send payment by cheque to:
License Compliance Services
101 Bayham Street, London NW1 0AG, United Kingdom
Please include Reference 0857-8149-0652 with cheque payment.
IMPORTANT NOTES
• Discontinuance of use of the imagery does not release your company of its obligation to pay compensation for the imagery previously used. Past usage must still be paid for.
• You may have been unaware that this imagery was subject to license. However, copyright infringement can occur regardless of knowledge or intent. While being unaware of license requirements is unfortunate, it does not change liability. As the site owner you are still the responsible party, even if a third party is involved in the unlicensed use.
• You may find further information in the FAQ section at https://settle.lcs.global/
If you would like to continue to use the imagery in question, or if you have other requests in relation to this letter, please contact us at 0800 376 2514 and we will assist you (please do not reply to this email, as this mailbox is not monitored).
This letter is without prejudice to Science Photo Library Ltd.'s rights and remedies, all of which are expressly reserved.
Sincerely,
License Compliance Services
Registration no. 9885027, registered in England and Wales
http://www.sciencephoto.com/Licence-Compliance-Services
License Compliance Services, Ltd. on behalf of Science Photo Library Ltd.
101 Bayham Street
London NW1 0AG, United Kingdom
Telephone: 0800 376 2514, www.LCS.global
07 April 2016
Attn: Crosstalk Foundation
Further to our prior correspondence to you, we hereby reiterate that unauthorised use of Science Photo Library Ltd. represented imagery is considered copyright infringement and entitles Science Photo Library Ltd. to seek compensation for infringing uses (Copyright Design and Patents Act of 1988).
Please note that removal of the imagery alone does not resolve this matter.
You have previously been notified of this matter and to date, we have not received payment or any proof of a valid license.
Science Photo Library Ltd. is willing to offer you one more opportunity to resolve this matter.
Your failure to make payment immediately will result in escalation to our legal representatives and the possibility of legal action being commenced for damages exceeding the amount presently being offered by way of settlement.
To avoid the possibility of legal action, you are required to immediately remit the £496.00 settlement payment by one of the following options:
• Online payment. You can remit your payment online at: https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652
• Cheque payment. You can remit payment by cheque to:
License Compliance Services
101 Bayham Street, London NW1 0AG, United Kingdom
Please include Reference 0857-8149-0652 with cheque payment.
Full information regarding this claim can be viewed at https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652.
For any question or if you believe you have mistakenly received this letter please contact us by phone at 0800 376 2514 (please do not reply to this email, as this mailbox is not monitored).
Sincerely,
License Compliance Services
Registration no. 9885027, registered in England and Wales
http://www.sciencephoto.com/Licence-Compliance-Services
27 April 2016
Dear Crosstalk Foundation,
This message is sent to you as a reminder that the time frame for resolving the matter of your unauthorised use of Science Photo Library Ltd. imagery ends in two days (of the date of this message).
Accordingly, you are requested to take one of the following actions immediately:
• Remit payment online at https://settle.lcs.global/085781490652 or call our office at 0800 376 2514 and pay by credit card over the phone.
• If you have licensing documentation, please provide it as instructed previously.
Failure to resolve this matter may result in further legal proceedings, in which case attorney’s fees will be added to the settlement amount.
We are available at 0800 376 2514 if you have any questions.
We look forward to a prompt and amicable resolution to this matter.
Sincerely,
Amy Garden
License Compliance Services, Ltd.
101 Bayham Street
London NW1 0AG, United Kingdom
Email: LicenseCompliance@lcs.global, Telephone: 0800 376 2514
WWW.LCS.GLOBAL
Registration no. 9885027, registered in England and Wales