Protecting Your Station Website from Image Copyright Claims

For more detailed show notes, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/protecting-your-station-website-from-image-copyright-claims This week we received a phone call from a client saying they received an image copyright claim notice claiming they owed thousands of dollars for an image that appeared on their station website. That got me to thinking about what kinds of people are still posting copyrighted imagesonline.  There can be a few reasons why someone may want to try getting away with using a copyrighted image on their website without obtaining proper permission. Some of the reasons may include: Lack of knowledge Cost and convenience Lack of alternatives How Do Copyright Holders Find Their Images 1. Reverse image search 2. Watermark search 3. Social media monitoring 4. Copyright infringement search services It's important to note that even with these tools, it can be difficult for copyright owners to find every instance of their photos online, as some websites and individuals may use methods to conceal the origin of a photo. However, by combining these methods, copyright owners can increase their chances of finding and acting against unauthorized work use. Beware of Copyright Claim Imposters Copyright imposters are individuals or companies that falsely claim to own the copyright to an image and demand payment or removal of the image from your website or social media account. These imposters may use automated tools to scan the internet for images or target content creators randomly. If you suspect you have received a false copyright claim, report the imposter to the proper authorities. In the United States, you can report the imposter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the Federal Trade Commission(FTC). What to Do If You Receive a Copyright Claim If you receive a copyright claim on your website regarding an image, you should first determine whether the claim is valid. If the image in question is indeed copyrighted, you should remove it from your website as soon as possible to avoid more potential legal issues. Website Image Best Practices 1. Use your images 2. Obtain permission 3. Use Creative Commons licensed images 4. Use stock images 5. Always give credit 6. Be careful with screenshots 7. Altering does not save you Knowing why some people use copyrighted images, understanding how the images are found by copyright holders, and following the best practices for using images should help you make better decisions for your station website.  By taking these steps, you can protect yourself and your radio station from copyright issues.