Catalyst Complaint Cover Page

394900

Complaint
Number 394900 Date 9/22/2011 Status Assignee Actual Savings Amount Disputed Estimated Savings Closed Hatcher, Sandra M $0.00 $780.00 $0.00

Location Seattle - Consumer Protection Division NAICS 541920-Photographic Services

Complainant
Name Kristy Kuhn 9552 River Forest Dr Monticello, MN 55362 Phone Day (763) 496-9122 Phone Evening Email (763) 496-9122 charity6@fnmmail.com

Respondent(s)
Name Getty Images 605 5th Ave S Ste 400 Seattle, WA 98104 Contact Phone (206) 925-6753 Toll Free Email copyright.complian ce@gettyimages.co m

Referral(s)
Name Contact Phone Contact Phone Email

Practice(s)
Code 316 Practice Billing Issues

Activities
Date Added 9/27/2011 9/27/2011 9/29/2011 Activity Type Email to Complainant Email to Respondent Email from Respondent Activity C First Letter to Consumer To: charity6@fnmmail.com R First Letter to Respondent To: licensecompliance@gettyimages.com See document 394900A

394900

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RK-00556 PRR-2012-00283

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Complaint Description
Description I received a settlement demand letter in the mail from Getty Images, concerning a company I owned and operated. Through my company I sold freshly ground flour at a local farmers market for a little over 1 year. The business is now dissolved. The demand letter stated that I had not obtained a valid license to use an image that I had displayed on my website. It went on to say that if I paid $780.00 they (Getty Images) would consider the settlement resolved and would not take further legal action against me. I called the company and explained that I had no idea that the picture was copyrighted, and agreed to remove the image promptly. My complaint is that Getty Images is bullying people into giving them money, which is similar to, or the same as, extortion. It is my estimation that any reasonable person, lawyer, or court would demand that a person cease and desist from unlawfully using an image, but to impose a penalty when the offender (me) had no idea that I was doing wrong is extreme and unethical. After researching Getty Images on the internet, I have found that I am not the only one in this situation. Had I known that I was doing wrong, then this would be a different story. As it stands, I feel, as do others, that I am being bullied and wrongfully treated. Sincerely, Kristy Kuhn Expected resolution details: Issue a cease and desist letter with no financial penalty

RK-00558 PRR-2012-00283

RK-00568 PRR-2012-00283

RK-00569 PRR-2012-00283