Important note
This is practical information, not legal advice. ImgCompliance is not affiliated with PicRights or the agencies it represents, and cannot verify a claim on your behalf.
Typical situations behind a PicRights letter
- A blog post or news section used a photo from a news agency or a newspaper website.
- Content was copied from a press release, partner site, or older version of the site.
- An image was taken from a search engine on the assumption that it was free to use.
- A previous agency or employee added the image and nobody kept a record of its source.
What to check first
- Find the exact page and image named in the letter, including the date it was published.
- Save the letter, screenshots, and the page as it currently looks before you change it.
- Search for license records: agency subscriptions, invoices, emails, or editorial agreements.
- Check whether the same image appears on other pages, in feeds, or in AMP or cached versions.
Look beyond the one image
If one news photo slipped into a blog, there are often more: the same author, the same year, the same habit. Reviewing the archive now is cheaper than receiving letters one by one. Run a free scan to see how many images on the site match stock or agency sources, then decide what to replace, document, or discuss with a lawyer.
When to get legal help
Talk to a copyright lawyer if the letter contains a payment demand you cannot verify, a short deadline, or a threat of litigation. Rules on license fees and damages differ by country, so the right advice depends on where your business and website are based.
Related resources
See also the checklists for a Copytrack letter and a Getty Images demand letter, or learn how to find unlicensed images on your website.