Letter from Getty Images

Question

I had made a website for friend who owns a grocery shop. Unknowingly I had used images from Getty. After 5 years, my friend got a letter from getty images demanding 75000 pounds.

The website was non commercial and was not updated for years. I have pulled down the website on receiving letter from getty.

Can any one help me to save my friendship and paying such a big amount which I or my friend can ever pay,

Answer 1

I am not a lawyer, therefore this cannot be construed as valid legal advice.  So, in my humble opinion, taking down the site should be sufficient action to warrant not having to pay the 75,000 pounds.

A couple things to remember though ...

Unknowingly using copyrighted pictures is not an excuse that will hold up in court.

Even though  the site was not for commercial use, it was the same as an advertisement in a newspaper.  Getty could claim that your friend profited from the pictures.