On the Wayne Moran Photography site on facebook we have been discussing how to get money from people that have stolen your images Wayne Moran Photography .
Like I had promised you here is the killer letter that gets results. This is the letter that you send to companies that have stolen your image or images. They have much more to lose than regular private individuals and you could make them VERY uncomfortable online about their public theft.
This letter has been almost 70% effect with companies that I send it to. That means they decide to pay immediately after recieving the letter. Yes I was suprised myself with this effectiveness in the beginning but then I realize, they have some much to lose. With a couple of blog posts I could really tarnish their reputation that they have been working so hard to build. So they are very eager to get this event behind them. So with that knowledge, use this letter boldly. It is right, and it works…
Here is my most recent example of the Killer letter that gets results.
Date: 12/12/2009
From Wayne Moran Photography, Moran Enterprises Inc
3266 Rolling Hills Drive,
Eagan, MN 55121
To: send a copy to all people involved and to the company’s marketing department
Hello,
Your company in this location on this date, appears to be illegally using one (or more) of my images…
(Show some of the details and make sure you have copies of all the appropriate advertisement or usage material)
Your advertisement or web site…
(Show picture here)
is using my Stone Arch Bridge Picture that you can see here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waynephotoguy/196744922/
You can tell it is my image because of the cloud formations.
All of my images are copyrighted and they are the way I make a significant part of my living so you and your team are stealing from me.
That particular image is one of my most popular images and typically licenses for use like this for up to $XXXX. In Minnesota a theft of over $500 is a felony.
I use the legal services of the most aggressive law firm in the country for prosecuting these theft cases, Greenberg & Reicher Llp in New York, NY 10017.
They would make this process very expensive and very uncomfortable for you.
You have an opportunity to correct this issue immediately by paying for the theft.
I would accept a licensing fee for that image for the non-exclusive onetime usage of $XXX.
Please make payment of $XXX by check by 12/05/2009 to:
Moran Enterprises
3266 Rolling Hills Dr
Eagan, MN 55121
If you refuse to pay I will be forced to contact “Greenberg & Reicher” about the matter and get things rolling and that would be very unfortunate, time consuming and expensive.
I will watch for your payment on this matter.
Regards,
Wayne Moran
Moran Enterprises Inc
3266 Rolling Hills Drive
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: 999-999-9999
Email: awmoran@yahoo.com
______________________________________
With this knowledge, you can shoot with confidence and you can share online knowing you have some recorse to stop image thiefs.
Happy shooting.
Order my book Eye of the Beholder.
