Hi there,

last resource for me is your place here. I found in the past always some pointers or advise that helped to set me straight one way or another.

I try to make it as short as possible. I do run - amongst others - operate a website that covers a specific activity that is around for about 40 years.
I did it first for 2-3 years as a sub-domain of another - related topic - website but this got to much in terms of traffic as well, in second year the harassment started by some watchdog company claim to speak in behalf of the even organizer.

The claim I use materials (images / videos / audio) that are copyrighted to the company they represent.

I do have obtained and - after the second year of troubles - reached out individual to the different sources that supply me with that materials to verify + ensure that I'm in title to use this materials.
Each of them confirmed by phone and by e-mail that all is cool and I use what they give me is well within their term of service etc., etc.

The watchdog company claims.

- I was at beginning hosting in Europe, now with the big G by IP in USA. (I am not in USA nor in Europe located, domain is registered at my address)

first from UK office now from US that - I copy and past URL's and names removed:

We write on behalf of BlaBLaBlaBla who own and control all rights associated with the conduct, promotion and management of whatever, including but not limited to, all related intellectual property, broadcast and footage rights worldwide. We have been authorised by BlaBlaBla to send this letter to you on their behalf. 

We have noticed that your website, www[dot]vvvv.com is displaying, promoting and/or offering audio, visual and/or audio-visual content from the Whatever. All copyright in such images are vested in ###.

As you have neither sought nor obtained permission from --- to use this content your present use is a clear infringement of the --- rights and patently infringes the copyright held in that content. Please immediately cease all such infringements on any and all of the web sites you own and/or control and confirm to us via email that you have done so.

Nothing in this letter is intended or shall be construed to constitute an express or implied waiver of any of --- rights or remedies, including any rights or remedies in respect of infringement not explicitly stated, whether current or in the future, all of which are expressly reserved.

Formal Declaration

I hereby state that ! owns and controls the exclusive rights to the audio, visual and/or audio-visual content referenced above and that ---- is authorized to act on behalf of ####### with respect to internet monitoring and compliance related to infringement of such rights.

I hereby state that I have a good faith belief that use of such A/V content in the manner complained of is not authorised by #######, its agents, or the law.


I, Joe Doe , as a representative of BlaBlaBla hereby digitally sign this e-mail message under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America with the additional statement under penalty of perjury that the information in the notice is accurate.

Please note that nothing in this letter is intended or shall be construed to constitute an express or implied waiver of any of #######'s rights or remedies, all of which are expressly reserved.

As aid, everything I use is being approved and allowed by the sources or - for example videos - are from YouTube, other users , not me and embedded within their TOS.

I'm in touch with the watchdog from day 1, first notice received I called them instant.

They never can give me any URL's, they never can describe items in question, they ask me to remove YouTube videos that are out there for xx years with xxx'xxx vies that do not belong to me and available to be embedded and so on.

Additional I like to state that we have no high page views in general like "big players", we are in no way aggressive, promote or link to any offensive etc. targets.
Strictly event related, not abusive, spammy etc.

So for the last years they shut me down a facebook page and a twitter stream with xxxxx followers.
facebook no chance to talk and have them look at it. Got a new page and that seem to be somewhat blocked.

Twitter I got re-evaluated and re-opend as they seen we not do anything bad.

However this year again shut down and no reply, Twitter API revoked and the site gets
other as by the spiders of the watchdog basically no traffic anymore.

I'm not making any $ with the site and I'm also not worried about the hosting as I informed them up front and the excessive spidering by the watchdog does not hurt in terms of server performance.
At hosting before they would bring your server to the knees so hard the hit the site.

I would like to fight that whole thing for the principle as I did neither do anything bad or acted in anyway abusive in general or in that case particular.

What can I do?