Getty Images Demand Letter: What to Do (2026 Guide)

You open your mail and find a letter from Getty Images (or PicRights, or CopyTrack) demanding hundreds or thousands of euros for an image on your website. Your stomach drops.

Take a breath. You're not the first business owner this has happened to, and you won't be the last. Here is exactly what to do.

What the letter actually means

Getty Images and similar agencies use automated tools to scan the internet for their copyrighted photos. When they find one on your website without a valid license, they send a demand letter asking for compensation.

This is not a court summons. It is a claim for damages. But ignoring it is a bad idea.

Typical amounts range from 500 to 5,000 euros per image, though some letters demand 10,000 euros or more. The amount they ask for is often negotiable.

Step 1: Don't panic and don't pay immediately

The worst thing you can do is pay the full amount right away. The second worst thing is to ignore the letter completely.

Remove the image from your website first. This shows good faith and prevents the claim from growing.

Step 2: Verify the claim

Before doing anything else, check whether the claim is legitimate:

• Is the image actually on your website (or was it)?
• Does Getty Images actually own the copyright?
• Do you have a license for this image?

Check your website's media library, your web designer's files, and any stock photo accounts you or your designer might have used. Sometimes the image was licensed, and the letter was sent in error.

Step 3: Check who put the image there

If your web designer chose the image, you may have a claim against them. Many web designers use unlicensed images without telling their clients.

This doesn't make the Getty claim go away, but it means you might be able to recover the cost from your designer.

Step 4: Respond to the letter

Do not ignore the letter. Contact Getty Images (or the agency that sent it) and:

• Confirm you've removed the image
• Ask for proof of copyright ownership
• If the amount seems excessive, negotiate. Many businesses settle for 30-50% of the original demand

If the amount is above 1,000 euros, consider getting legal advice. A lawyer experienced with copyright claims can often negotiate a lower settlement.

Step 5: Prevent it from happening again

This is where most business owners stop. Don't make that mistake.

• Audit all images on your website
• Ask your web designer where every image came from
• Use properly licensed stock photos (Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay offer free options)
• Keep records of all image licenses
• Run a compliance scan to check for other issues

What NOT to do

• Don't ignore the letter hoping it goes away. It won't. Agencies escalate to legal proceedings.
• Don't delete the image and pretend nothing happened. They already have evidence.
• Don't pay the full amount without negotiating. The first number is rarely the final number.
• Don't admit fault in writing without legal advice.

How much will it cost?

Most settlements for a single image land between 300 and 1,500 euros. If you respond promptly, remove the image, and negotiate in good faith, you'll likely pay less than the original demand.

If you ignore the letter and it escalates to court, costs can reach 5,000 to 15,000 euros including legal fees.

Frequently asked questions

Can Getty Images really sue me for one photo?

Yes. Copyright holders have the legal right to claim damages for unauthorized use of their work. Courts in the Netherlands and across the EU consistently uphold these claims.

My web designer put the image there. Am I still responsible?

You are responsible for the content on your website. However, you may have a claim against your web designer for the costs you incur. Check your contract with them.

What if I bought the image from a stock photo site?

If you have a valid license, send proof to Getty Images. The claim should be withdrawn. If the license was purchased under a different account or by your designer, gather that documentation.

How do I know if other images on my site have the same problem?

Run a free compliance scan on your website. Our scanner checks for stock photo CDN patterns, watermarked images, and known copyright agency URLs across your entire site.

Is CopyTrack or PicRights the same as Getty Images?

CopyTrack and PicRights are agencies that collect damages on behalf of copyright holders, including Getty Images. The claims are equally valid and should be treated the same way.