Company Uses Photographer’s Images Without Permission, Faces Legal Action to Ensure Payment
thecarguru46 said:
ALL IN ALL!
A commercial photographer faced a dispute with a large company that didn’t pay for their work. The company paid 1/3 upfront and billed for the balance after delivery. The client continued to use the images beyond the agreed terms, leading to a legal dispute. The company’s standard licensing agreement states that licensing is contingent upon full payment, making non-payment considered infringement.
The photographer established a good relationship with a lawyer and sent them a letter stating they intend to sue for infringement, with a penalty of $150k per image. The client accused the photographer of poisoning their working relationship and argued they needed to deal with their lawyer. The photographer settled for less than the initial demand, but it was far more than if they had paid and negotiated for additional usage.
