I did a Google Image search early this past week of my ten best selling images and found several instances of them being used illegally. They were on Facebook, Blogspot and two private web sites.


In the case of the private web sites, I sent a polite email notifying the owner of his/her violation asking for my image to be removed. In both cases, my photos were removed. One of the site owners sent an apology and a sequence of emails letting me know how sorry he was.



For Google's Blogspot and for Facebook follow the information below.









To have an image removed from one or more of Google's many services, you should start here: DMCA Notice: How to Complain to Google to Remove Copyright Contents. This form will step you through a series of radio buttons asking qualifying questions.


Specifically, in the case of Google's Blogger.com, you will be led to this page: Report Alleged Copyright Infringement: Blogger where you will be asked about ownership, URL location of authorized use of your image, description of image and URL location of unauthorized use of your image. Don't forget to use complete URLs and to check the two boxes.

Immediately, I received a confirming email that their team received my complaint and within twelve hours, I received notice that my image had been removed from the Blogger's site.




In the case of Facebook, it can be a bit confusing navigating through their set of questions, FAQs and information ultimately leading to their form link. I'll save you some frustration. The link is: Reporting a Violation/Infringement of your Rights. Click the Copyright box and it will open a set of questions about your photo. Then just click Send. You will quickly receive a confirmation email from Facebook. Within twelve hours of making my complaint, my image was removed from the offending Facebook account.

So, happily (and unexpectedly quick) I was able to protect my images. It appears that Google and Facebook take copyright violation as a very serious matter.