Grrr...Russian Magazine Stole 2 of my photos

[B7772ADL]

I've just been sent an email by an Anet member alerting me that 2 of my photos on JP and Anet have been printed in the June 2007 Russian version of Esquire Magazine.

I was not contacted by Esquire magazine regarding permissions and useage, and they have printed these photos without my consent.

The person who saw the photos has kindly taken a photo of the magazine showing the photos, so I have the necessary evidence.

Having not been knowingly ripped off before i'd like to think i might be able to get some sort of compensation, so how do you think I should proceed?

Cheers, James

[Bok269]

Ask them for a free subscription?

[JordanD]

Ask them for a free subscription?

I don't think James would have much use, or desire, for Russian Esquire.
What would stop the magazine from asking them to prove that they're your photos if you contacted them? Did they print your name on them?

[tomas_cubero]

I would threaten them with legal action, they will get frightened of it and offer you money. I have a couple of friends who have done that and gotten out $100-200 from some magazine/website. I would really doubt they would agree with legal action as they obviously know they are going to loose and will cost them a heck of a lot of money if the do rather than paying some bucks. Just my 2 cents...

[LX-A343]

Send them a letter, thanking them for their use of your photo and asking, where the invoice should be sent. I did this with a large european airline and I had my money within a week

[Mark Ralph]

I would threaten them with legal action, they will get frightened of it and offer you money. I have a couple of friends who have done that and gotten out $100-200 from some magazine/website. I would really doubt they would agree with legal action as they obviously know they are going to loose and will cost them a heck of a lot of money if the do rather than paying some bucks. Just my 2 cents...

...or they might take offence and take out a contract on you.

I'm with Gerardo's plan, if you piss them off you risk getting nothing but a load of greif.
My 2p.

[ollieholmes]

...or they might take offence and take out a contract on you.

I'm with Gerardo's plan, if you piss them off you risk getting nothing but a load of greif.
My 2p.

But they are breaking the law, they have used your photo without your permission. I would chase up anyone i find using my photo without permission.

[Bok269]

Did you have a watermark on it?

What context did they use it in?

[Mark Ralph]

But they are breaking the law, they have used your photo without your permission. I would chase up anyone i find using my photo without permission.

I totally agree with you Ollie, but as Gerardo suggested a brief, polite and straight to the point mail would be the best way to pursue. I have found by experience you will stand a better chance of getting what you want by being diplomatic. Going in all guns blazing and threatening legal action is going to put whoever straight on the defensive. I am not going to go into detail but I had a similar situation last year and resolved it quite quickly using the softly softly approach.

Mark

[ollieholmes]

I totally agree with you Ollie, but as Gerardo suggested a brief, polite and straight to the point mail would be the best way to pursue. I have found by experience you will stand a better chance of getting what you want by being diplomatic. Going in all guns blazing and threatening legal action is going to put whoever straight on the defensive. I am not going to go into detail but I had a similar situation last year and resolved it quite quickly using the softly softly approach.

Mark

I agree with you there, a gentle reminder letter often helps but sometimes it will not work.

[BA747-436]

Don't threaten a multi-national company with legal action unless you have the funds and legal team to back you up.

As has been stated earlier a simple letter explaining the situation, and letting them know you have the evidence of useage should do the trick. Dont ask for a silly amount for payment either otherwise there is every chance they will shun you off and that will be the last you hear of them. Good luck James, keep us updated

[gdg9]

might it be much harder to get compensated from a Russian company?

[chris78cpr]

I had a cuban company rip off a load of my photos and the attempts i have made to gain the appropriate compensation has proved to be a pain in the arse and near on impossible. Russia while more civilised still isnt the easiest place to do business with! Trust me i know how much of a pain the Russian's are!

Good luck getting paid mate!

[BA747-436]

I had a cuban company rip off a load of my photos and the attempts i have made to gain the appropriate compensation has proved to be a pain in the arse and near on impossible. Russia while more civilised still isnt the easiest place to do business with! Trust me i know how much of a pain the Russian's are!

Good luck getting paid mate!

All together now..... 'One two three, deported!' lol

[chris78cpr]

All together now..... 'One two three, deported!' lol

Well..... that's not what actually happened.... well actually yes it is. Ugh, sodding russian in Yuzhno. Don't go to UUS without a VISA! And i dont mean the one you get down barclays!