FAQ`s

ID.IP is started based on the desire of photographers and photo agencies to secure their copyright on the Internet. ID.IP is owned by Luxstock’s image agency and ensures the copyright of both own and external photographers’ images on the Internet.

No. While removing the image is a starting point and a condition of settlement, it doesn’t solve the problem. The use of copyrighted images requires proper licensing to cover any and all uses. Therefore, payment of a fee for the prior unauthorized use is required to resolve the matter completely.

As noted above, you’re ultimately responsible for ensuring that you have permission to use the image. If you purchased or acquired images from a subscription service or a website that provides templates, you’re still responsible for the claim if that company didn’t properly license the image to include your use.

You are responsible even if you accidentally infringed someone’s copyright or didn’t know the image was copyright-protected and needed a license. Your lack of knowledge doesn’t excuse or dismiss your unauthorized use, nor does it waive the fees you need to pay for your unlicensed use of the image.

Just because an image is on the Internet doesn’t mean it’s in the public domain. The term “public domain” is limited to works in which copyright has expired (in the European Union, generally 70 years after the death of the author) or where the copyright owner has made a clear declaration that the work is not subject to copyright.

Simply because an image can be found on the Internet through a search engine such as Google does not mean that the image does not have copyright protection. Search engines like Google show images located on third-party sites, but they are not providing any suggestion that those images are in the public domain. For example, if you do a search on Google Images and click on an image, the notice “Images may be subject to copyright” appears below the image.

Anyone searching the Internet for images for any media should always assume that the images are copyrighted and may not be used in any context until they have confirmed otherwise. It is the end user’s obligation and responsibility to ensure that they are not infringing on the copyright of any party prior to publishing any image in any medium.

No. Copyright in original works of authorship is automatic, and registration is not required for a work to be protected by copyright. Protection attaches immediately when the work is completed which, in the case of a photograph, happens the moment the shutter is clicked.

Making money from the use of an image is irrelevant when determining whether the use was an infringement. While making money from the use of the image may increase the amount of damages, it’s not required in order for our client to be entitled to fees for the unauthorized use of their work.

No. A non-profit organization or charity has to follow the same copyright laws as everyone else. However, ID.IP is sensitive to non-profit organizations’ circumstances. In order for us to further review the matter, we generally require formal documentation to support a reduction of the assessed fee.
To be clear, a payment will still be required to resolve your matter.

Fees to use copyrighted images vary greatly depending on the individuel photographer and agencies standard fee. The claim amount is calculated using the standard licensing price for the image material, plus an additional compensation amount for the infringement. The copyright owner is entitled to both amounts under the Copyright Act guidelines.