My First Copyright Resolution With Pixsy
Useless fact of the day: This photo is my most stolen photo to date.
In the spring of 2016, I wrote a review of Pixsy, a service that helps you find how your photos are being used online. At the time, I recommended the service. And my opinion has not changed. In fact, I'm even happier with Pixsy than I was last year. Why? A few reasons:
Pixsy supports image theft claims in more countries now.
Pixsy's tools have improved to better filter out false positives (non-commercial use).
Pixsy's case resolution is smooth and they guide me every step of the way
Now, while the process is smooth, it can take months to reach a resolution. I get that. Pixsy is working through legal channels, and those can (and often do!) take time. Since last year, I've opened a handful of cases with Pixsy. And in late December, the first case has been resolved. Several others are in various stages of investigation and/or resolution.
The process basically goes like this:
You teach the Pixsy service about your photos. (See my earlier review for details.)
Pixsy finds matches and lets you know about them.
You review the matches. If your photo is being used inappropriately, you file a case with Pixsy.
Pixsy reviews the case and is passed on to one of Pixsy's legal partners.
The legal stuff happens among Pixsy, its legal partners, and the user of my image. Occasionally, I have to answer a question about the photo, although that's rare.
A resolution is reached and a price determined.
Payment shows up in your bank account.
Communication is excellent throughout the process. What I appreciate most is I deal only with Pixsy. All of the legal stuff, contact with the user of my imagery, lawyer-to-lawyer stuff - it's all done behind the scenes. That's how I want it. I prefer to spend my time making more photos. Pixsy takes the headaches out of pursuing infringements.
I also let Pixsy determine a fair price for each case. Thus far, I've been very happy with the dollar amounts. I am also diligent about registering my published works with the US Copyright Office. That is beneficial in two ways: one, there's no question that I created the photo and two, the compensation is usually higher.
All things being equal, I'd prefer that image theft not be "a thing" and people reach out to the artists and license the work. Until that happens, I'm using Pixsy. I suggest you check out Pixsy's service, too.
They have a free version of the service. I used the free account until my first case resolution. Part of my first settlement went right back into Pixsy. Karma, baby.
