Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2016
Carol Highsmith sues Getty Images and Alamy over photo rights claims
Lawsuit filed
Photographer Carol Highsmith filed a lawsuit against Getty Images and Alamy in New York federal court, accusing the agencies of claiming rights to her photographs without authorization and seeking more than $1 billion in damages. Getty said the suit was based on misconceptions and said it would defend itself; Alamy said it was looking into the matter.
Company response
Denial — Getty Images
The agency says the lawsuit is “based on a number of misconceptions” and plans to “defend [itself] vigorously.”
Source excerpt
One can read all about it in the lawsuit she filed this week against Getty in New York federal court, accusing the agency of illicitly claiming rights to 18,755 of her photographs and seeking more than $1 billion in damages.
The agency says the lawsuit is “based on a number of misconceptions” and plans to “defend [itself] vigorously.”
The lawsuit also names Alamy, a British-based licensing agency that was purportedly the license holder whose rights were infringed.
2009
Copyright damages and enforcement controversy
Commentators and legal practitioners criticized the difficulty of valuing digital image use and characterized some Getty demands as excessive. Reports included disputes involving small organizations and website operators.
2008
Criticism of copyright-enforcement practices
Getty Images faced sustained criticism over demand letters and collection practices used in response to alleged unauthorized image use. Critics argued that some requested payments were disproportionate and intimidating, while Getty maintained that it was enforcing photographers' rights and seeking compensation for unlicensed use.