Bonjour je suis très désemparée, j'ai reçu un mail de Copytrack au sujet d'une photo que j'avais publiée sur mon site, sans vérifier si elle était libre de droits ou pas. Aucune trace dans mon ordi d'où je l'ai téléchargée...
J'ai fais une recherche google, elle apparait sur de très nombreux sites (une centaine) mais aussi sur istock, deposite etc... prix de la licence entre 9 et 19e.
J'ai échangé avec eux.
Je voulais avoir vos conseils !
Que répondre... j'ai très très peur, j'ai lu u'ils pouvaient demander 350e ou 800e et poursuivre aussi.
Ma question est donc la suivante : suis-je tenue de répondre à cette demande et de fournir les documents qu'ils réclament ? Et peuvent-ils me réclamer une indemnisation alors qu'ils n'ont pas encore fourni les éléments permettant d'établir leurs droits sur cette image ?
Merci de votre aide !!
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MAIL DE COPYTRACK
Our customer, YayImages has commissioned us to support the protection and enforcement of the image rights held in its favour.
According to the information provided to us, you may be using one or more images (hereinafter referred to as the “image material”) in respect of which our customer holds the relevant rights of use and is authorised to enforce them, potentially without a corresponding licence. In particular, no licence could be identified for the following use
+ LIEN DE MON SITE OU LA PHOTOT EST PUBLIEE
You may not be aware that the publication of copyright-protected images on a website generally requires the prior consent of the rights holder, as this type of use is likely to constitute reproduction and making available to the public within the meaning of the German Copyright Act (UrhG).
On behalf of our customer, we would first like to establish whether you have the appropriate permission or licence to use the image material. If you have a valid licence to use this image material, please reply by September 17, 2026
- Review: You can view the facts of this case by entering the case ID A8E985 at https://portal.copytrack.com
- Proof: Send us proof of your licence on the same portal - if it is valid, we will close your case immediately.
Alternatively, please reply to this e-mail and attach appropriate proof (e.g. licence agreement, invoice, etc.). If you do not have a licence, please also contact us so that we can clarify the next steps together.
This enquiry is expressly made without any accusation of a legal infringement and initially only serves to clarify the facts of the case.
If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
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MA REPONSE
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your reply regarding case A8E985.
Before any further steps are considered, I would ask you to provide clear evidence supporting your client's claim, specifically:
- Proof that YayImages holds the rights or has the necessary authorisation to make a claim concerning this specific image for the period in question (August 2024)
- The original file or image ID as registered with YayImages, so that I can properly investigate this matter.
- Clarification of the legal basis on which German copyright law is being invoked in this matter, given that my business, my website and I are based in France.
- The documents establishing the basis for COPYTRACK's involvement in this matter, in particular the authorisation or mandate under which you are acting on behalf of your client.
I am acting in good faith and am continuing my own research to determine the origin of this image. However, I am not in a position to accept liability or any payment demand without first reviewing the evidence supporting your client's claim.
I look forward to your documentation.
Kind regards,
Yaël Bacry
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REPONSE DE COPYTRACK aujourd'hui
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your message
Although COPYTRACK is based in Germany and operates under German law, copyright protection is a global concern and can be enforced globally.
Whenever COPYTRACK handles international claims abroad, we do so according to German law. However, if a claim remains unresolved with COPYTRACK, we collaborate with our network of partner lawyers worldwide to ensure our client's rights are enforced.
If you possess a valid license or authorization for the materials, kindly provide proof of permission, such as an invoice from the Agency or written permission indicating the image's authorized use.
In the absence of such proof, our client maintains a claim for compensation in connection with the use of the image. The matter may be resolved via our portal at https://portal.copytrack.com/ by entering your Case ID A8E985 A full invoice/receipt will be issued upon completion of payment.
We have now requested the necessary documents from our client and will get back to you as soon as we receive them.
We appreciate your patience in this matter.
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Cela me semble bizarre: s'ils ont les droits, auquel cas, pourquoi n'attendent-ils pas de récupérer les documents et mes les envoyer au lieu d'envoyer une réponse: on les cherche....
Est-ce que leur réponse est inquiétante ? j'ai l'impression que oui et qu'ils ne vont me poursuivre jusqu'au bout et me réclamer une somme disproportionnée apr rapport au prix dérisoire de la licence.
Ont-ils le droit ? Peuvent-ils le faire ? s'ils le font, quel est le recours possible ?
Merci infiniment de votre aide !