02/13/2015
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1
RE: Copyright Trolling
From: George Jacobson, DPM
When I built my website, I copied an image of an ingrown toenail from the Internet and put it on the site as an example. There was no watermark, name across the photo, or any claim that the image was protected. I received a letter demanding $720 for the use of the image. The exact same image is still on the Internet and on several other medical sites including WebMD, with and without ownership information.
Be aware of using anything from the Internet as you may become a victim of "copyright trolling." I filed consumer complaints to the Florida and Washington State AG, and the U.S. Postal Inspectors office. I learned about trolling from Florida's AG office today. It's not just pictures. It is a legal scheme, if they actually own the patent or copyright. It is deceptive. It is federal Law and the states can't do much, but they are aware of it in all 50 states. I was advised that even if you pay the money, they may come back at you, knowing you paid once and that you are worried about it. This may be via another company claiming you infringed on their licensing too.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1
RE: Copyright Trolling
From: George Jacobson, DPM
When I built my website, I copied an image of an ingrown toenail from the Internet and put it on the site as an example. There was no watermark, name across the photo, or any claim that the image was protected. I received a letter demanding $720 for the use of the image. The exact same image is still on the Internet and on several other medical sites including WebMD, with and without ownership information.
Be aware of using anything from the Internet as you may become a victim of "copyright trolling." I filed consumer complaints to the Florida and Washington State AG, and the U.S. Postal Inspectors office. I learned about trolling from Florida's AG office today. It's not just pictures. It is a legal scheme, if they actually own the patent or copyright. It is deceptive. It is federal Law and the states can't do much, but they are aware of it in all 50 states. I was advised that even if you pay the money, they may come back at you, knowing you paid once and that you are worried about it. This may be via another company claiming you infringed on their licensing too.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL