2024-04-14 06:34:03
A photo can be expensive, that’s what the members of a Belgian nature protection association learned the hard way. Based in Flanders, Limburg, Silver Shark regularly publishes an animal information magazine. All the making of the magazine is homemade. Finally…
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Recently, to illustrate one of their pages, the group used the image of a gecko found on a Dutch site. Problem is, no prior authorization was requested and this is now costing them very dearly, as Belang van Limburg explains. Because, like any work, the photos are protected and this was the case with the one used by the association.
Jos Luyten, treasurer of the non-profit organization, therefore received an unpleasant letter last March from Rightspilot, a company which attacks people who have used photos without paying for them. The letter was accompanied by a hefty bill of 3,000 euros. After the intervention of an Antwerp law firm, the fine was practically divided in two. “But 1,604 euros is still a lot for an association like ours,” explains the Belgian.
In reality, it is an accumulation of infractions which is today costing the association very dearly: 159 euros for the photo, 159 euros for the publication without payment, 159 euros for not having mentioned the name of the photographer, 139 euros interest, 95 euros for Rightspilot’s research work, 40 euros for debt recovery, 150 euros VAT and litigation costs…
But Jos assures him, “we didn’t know we were doing anything wrong.” Disappointed, the non-profit organization hoped to find an amicable agreement with the photographer but no agreement might be found. “Even owners in good faith are still in violation if no valid license for the use of these photos can be presented,” recalls the FPS Economy.
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