Hi everyone,
I’m a photographer from Belgium. I discovered one of my photos has been printed illegally and is on one of the walls in a cruise ship. It’s a major US company. I discovered this because a passenger recognized my work and sent me a photo of it.
Does anyone now what’s the best thing to do here?
Thanks!
Law firm of Dewey, Cheetom and Howe.
Send them an outrageously priced bill. Sometimes a book keeper at a giant company like that will just get those and pay them. The thing going for you, is you ACTUALLY Provided the service. They could look at it as cheaper than litigation and just pay you. Because if they’ve been running around with this giant picture on their boat it could be argued you’ve helped them bring in sales. Boom. Now you’re asking for 5% of their profits. That $40k bill looks pretty nice about now.
Cease and desist 🫵
Met a guy who sold an image to the resident photographer on a cruise ship. Can’t recall what he made, but it was a few thousand. The photographer turned around and sold the rights to the cruise line who used it for years. That photographer made many, many more thousands than what he bought the image for. Not saying this is your case, but it’s probably worth looking into, at least. Can’t hurt 🤷🏻♀️
Well 1, yeah gotta get a lawyer and contact the company. But also, don’t take it all bad, be honored that a big company used your work! Lol! Maybe, instead of just getting it taken down, get a deal that they pay you for both illegally printing it, but Aldo so they can still use it…?
First get the evidence
You need to hire Chareth Cutestory
What copyright laws apply in international waters?
Admittedly probably the country the ship is flagged in, ie something like Panama or Liberia.
No, the country the photographer is based and where he publishes his work. Which is Belgium, therefore the UE and application of copyright in the EU is automatic: you don’t have to register anything.
First, send them an invoice and see what happens
That PR company’s graphic artists and editors know full well they are breaking copy laws. Go after them.
Give us a head up on the situation. Curious to know how this kind of situation goes. Hope you got paid 👍🏾
I went through about the same thing a few years ago and if the photos don’t have your watermark on them, they are free for anyone to use.
If, by chance, you’re not after a payment or removal, why not just reach out and say “you’re using my work…I’d be happy with a free cruise and airfare for its use, on that ship so I can see it in all its glory.” Never know.
Send the company an invoice and instructions how to pay for the license.
One thought is to contact the cruise lines and prove that this is your pic that was used without consent. From there you have a few options
- They can continue to use but have to give credit by amending the painting to add your name
- Go the lawyer route as others mention here
- Do nothing
- Shame them on social media
The last option may not do much because it may not be reach enough people to have an effect that solicits the cruise line to do anything.
The first option is the best imo because it is free advertising for you
