Copyright infringement experience
March 25, 2010
When I "googled" my name recently, I discovered three images of my work on an unfamiliar commercial web site that allows subscribers to upload images which customers can choose to have imprinted on posters, mugs, calendars, etc. Among stock photos, snapshots of cats, etc. were three photos I had taken of several of my three dimensional digital paintings -- bearing my titles and my name. These had been infringed from my other web address (not Blue Canvas, which doesn't allow right click, save as). These images may have been on the offending web site for months. However, I don't know if anyone had ordered any products imprinted with my art.
I found a DMCA Notification of Alleged Infringement form on the offending web site, completed it, and sent it today to their copyright agent, both emailing and mailing it. The images of my art were immediately removed from the offending web site, but the copyright agent denied the action was an admission of guilt. He further disclaimed responsibility of the web site for the images subscribers post on their pages. Perhaps the huge size of the web site impedes oversight and enables individual subscibers to follow their mixed regard/disregard or limited knowledge of copyright laws. Or perhaps the web sites owners choose to absolve themselves of responsibility to make sure their subscibers obey copyright laws. Their provision of a DMCA Notification of Alleged Infringement form and copyright agents acknowledges copyright of some images will be challenged.
Having my images removed from the offending web site ends my pursuit of this incident. I don't wish to expend further resources of time, energy, money pursuring renumeration from this incident. However, I will perform a web search of my name more often now. And that will not find potential copyright violations credited to someone else.
I appreciate that Blue Canvas doesn't allow "right click, save as". I feel secure uploading images of my work on this site.