Help with Request for license fee

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Help with Request for license fee

chalkywhite

9:35 pm on Jul 6, 2011 (gmt 0)

Hello all,

I run a small wiki for my hometown, as its wiki it is open for any users to add/remove content etc.

I received and email from a " hotmail " address claiming this was their image, when i check then image it had a (C) in the properties which macth the hotmail accounts name. I said I will remove the image as a user will of uploaded it.

Withing 10 minutes of the image being removed I receive another email from the same person ( this time a GMAIL ) account demanding a license fee be paid within 7 days of Ł50 .

Where do I stand with this? Ive removed the image, apologised etc. Im suspicious that the person used two different email addressess.

On the invoice they have put their home address and phone number etc.

If I have to pay i would but can I request proof of ownership a license or something?

What steps do I need to go through, they have requested a cheque..

Many thanks

A

jecasc

8:18 pm on Jul 11, 2011 (gmt 0)

I don't know the specifics of UK internet and copyright law. However I know that in most EU countries there are laws for this kind of problem that state that as provider of an internet service like a blog, forum or wiki you are only responsible from the moment you are notified of a users copyright violation and you only can be held liable for inaction to remove infringing material.

So I'd recommend to do some research if such a provision exists in UK law. I would not be surprised if that where the case, since for most of this stuff EU directives exist that are then implemented into local law.

wheel

8:25 pm on Jul 11, 2011 (gmt 0)

I smell funky. They may have even taken the image from someone else, modified the properties that they're the (C) owner and made it available. Then demanded $50.

Personally for L50 (what the heck kind of weird keyboard do you have to have that prints lbs?) I'd move on. Yes, copright infringement is fair enough, but conversely if they actually cared about (C), well you took the image down right away. Seems like they care more about the L50 than the copyright infringement.

I'd break the law and tell them to go pound sand. I'm not even sure what that means but I'm confident that it's not complimentary.

g1smd

8:38 pm on Jul 11, 2011 (gmt 0)

It would be funny if the person that is demanding the money is the very same person that uploaded the file to your site.

You should check the credentials of the person who originally uploaded the file, especially the email address and IP address and compare them with those of the person making demands.

chalkywhite

2:00 pm on Jul 12, 2011 (gmt 0)

Thanks for the advice people, I emailed the person numerous times with ZERO response, so either they are trying it on or ill get a letter in the post soon enough. My wiki was open for anonymous editing, but ive now restricted to member only ( shame )

I hate where the internet is going far to many people looking to try it on, I was actually worried about the threat of (c) infringment as some people will really push it and before you know it your getting hit really hard in the pocket.

If i found some of my work anyone I would look at it in the way that they think its good work, id like a link but would never imagine demanding money

graeme_p

8:46 am on Jul 19, 2011 (gmt 0)

Did you read this thread:

[webmasterworld.com ]

sundaridevi

9:37 pm on Aug 8, 2011 (gmt 0)

I think this is covered by the safe harbor clauses of both the European Copyright Directive and the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. That means if you take it down after notification, you should be safe. Anyway, if you are worried you can look at the text of those Acts and see what to do.