Copyright...

On Tuesday afternoon I ran my regular checks for usage of my images online. I identified 2 breaches of my copyright this week and duly contacted both respective parties. This morning both parties have paid the invoices that were generated as a result of that.

I would highly recommend a few things on this issue;

1. Do your research before contacting them, and get all your facts together including IPs and legal domain owners with addresses. Nothing says more that you know what your doing is 'facts' 

2. Be polite and professional in your approach, do not crash in to the CEO kicking off like a fool as its highly likely that the breach was due to an over zealous web designer or such like and the business owner has no knowledge of it happening. Act unprofessional and your not likely to get the best response, or respect. 

3. Be realistic, the breach has happened and unless its a 'biggy' then move forward to work with the company owner to find a mutual solution. In doing this you are much more likely to achieve what you want to in the end. An aggressive mail to a CEO demanding $10,000 because they used a 650px width image of yours on an internal page of their website is not really realistic. 

Previously I have converted breachers into clients... 

If you are confused about the whole copyright / licensing subject then my best advice to come to my seminar on this in Orlando at PSW in April