After the disappointing news regarding copyright rules recently, I thought I'd check to see if any of my images were being misused, too. I found one of my images apparently growing legs and wondering off to some other locations.
I took this photo years ago ~ I think late 2007 - early 2008 timeframe. I have to check to be exact.
Now, without permission, it's been used as a website header for a Russian company; part of a image set for a Chinese software company; and re-hosted at other sites, some with that sites name watermarked on my photo. Regarding the Chinese copyright violators, that company's website that sells that software (and my photo) is hosted by IBM's cloud service . I'm from the US.
Obviously, I would need an international law firm to handle the international part of this. However, I don't know much beyond that. Does anyone have experience handling international copyright violations of their images? What did you do? Are there any lessons-learned that you can share? Also, what liability does a hosting company have for a company using their computers selling stolen copyright photographs? Because IBM (a US company) is hosting the company that is selling pirated image, would they be obligated to a cease-and-desist letter from my lawyer (should I get one)? Does anyone have experience like mine and how did they handle it?
I realize this is more than one question, but I'd be open to any advice and I fully understand most of you are not lawyers, so I recognize you are not providing legal advice.
![NYC Sunset near WTC] [x] <- Disabled by RM - see comment