What legal steps can I take if my photos are used on the internet without permission?
June 16, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Wanda Hartmann
Dear lawyer,
My name is Leon Busch and I have discovered that my photos are being used on the internet without my permission. Some time ago, I published some pictures on my website, which are now suddenly appearing on various social media platforms and other websites without my knowledge or consent.
This unauthorized use of my photos is causing me great concern, as I do not know who has used the photos and for what purpose. Additionally, I feel my privacy has been violated and I would like to know what legal steps I can take to address this infringement of my rights.
I have already tried to contact the operators of the relevant websites to have the photos removed, but unfortunately without success. Therefore, I would like to know from you what options I have to protect my rights as a photographer and prevent the unauthorized use of my images.
So, what legal steps can I take to address the unauthorized use of my photos on the internet? Are there specific laws or regulations that can help me in this situation? How can I ensure that my photos are not used again without my permission in the future?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Leon Busch
Dear Mr. Busch,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the unauthorized use of your photos on the internet. It is understandable that you feel violated in your privacy and wish to take action to protect your rights as a photographer.
In such cases, there are various legal steps you can take to address the unauthorized use of your images. First and foremost, it is important to determine whether there is actually a copyright infringement. As a photographer, you automatically have the copyright to your photos, meaning you alone have the right to decide how your images may be used.
To address the unauthorized use of your photos, you can start by sending a cease and desist letter to the operators of the websites where your photos have been published without permission. In the letter, you request the immediate removal of the photos and, if necessary, a declaration to cease the future use of the images. If the operators do not respond to the cease and desist letter, you can take legal action, such as applying for an injunction or filing a lawsuit.
There are specific laws that can help you in this situation, such as the Copyright Act (UrhG) or the Act against Unfair Competition (UWG). These laws regulate the protection of intellectual property and the prevention of unauthorized use of images and other works.
To ensure that your photos are not used again without your permission in the future, I recommend watermarking your images or only publishing them in low resolution. Additionally, you can regularly search the internet for your images to quickly identify unauthorized uses.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Wanda Hartmann
Attorney specializing in Internet and Computer Law
