This is standard practice for this company. I've caught them doing it to me multiple times in the past. Here are my email exchanges with them:
from Chris Anderson
cva3@cornell.edu
to
support@reptilesncritters.com
date Sat, Dec 22, 2007 at 4:27 PM
subject wiedersheimi
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details 12/22/07
To whom it may concern:
Your website (
http://www.reptilesncritters.com/) was recently brought to my attention with regard to your use of my photograph to advertise animals you have for sale. The photograph in question is of a Chamaeleo (Trioceros) w. wiedersheimi or peacock chameleon and can be found at the following direct URL:
http://www.reptilesncritters.com/wie...hameleons.html . I have not given you permission to use this photograph and in doing so, you have violated international copyright law. I expect the immediate removal of my photograph from your site or I intend to take further action.
I expect your prompt response and attention to this matter.
Regretfully,
Chris Anderson
from ReptilesNCritters.com
support@reptilesncritters.com
to Chris Anderson <cva3@cornell.edu>
date Sat, Dec 22, 2007 at 4:31 PM
subject Re: wiedersheimi
hide details 12/22/07
Chris Anderson, sorry about my "law breaking ways." Of course I will remove the photo if you have a problem with it. Do you know of any places I can "borrow" a decent photo from?
Thank you,
Robert Crespo
ReptilesNCritters.com
from Chris Anderson
cva3@cornell.edu
to "ReptilesNCritters.com" <support@reptilesncritters.com>
date Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 10:23 AM
subject Chameleons
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details 3/6/10
Dear Mr. Crespo,
In December of 2007 I had an issue with you regarding your illegal use of my photographs on your website to promote the sale of your animals. I have included the email exchange from that incident below to refresh your memory but I am less then pleased to find that you are once again illegally using my photographs to sell your animals. Both species are listed as "out of stock" on your site but I request that you immediately remove both photographs from your website as I do not want them associated with the sale of any animals from you or anyone else. Asking you to not use my photographs once was annoying, a second time is infuriating. The two photographs in question are that of Brookesia thieli (
http://www.reptilesncritters.com/ima...sia-thieli.jpg) and of Chamaeleo quadricornis (
http://www.reptilesncritters.com/ima...-chameleon.jpg). According to international copyright law regarding photographs, photos are protected by copyright laws from the second they are taken, regardless of whether or not a copyright watermark is expressly placed on the photo in question. I never extended you permission to use my photographs and as a result, your use of said photographs is in violation of International Copyright Law. Penalties for Copyright Infringement can include monetary damages (up to US$100,000 per infringement), all profits earned through the use of the copyrighted material and legal fees. Please remove my photograph from your site immediately and do not use my photographs again!
I expect you will promptly take care of this situation.
Chris
from ReptilesNCritters
support@reptilesncritters.com
to Chris Anderson <cva3@cornell.edu>
date Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 11:52 AM
subject Re: Chameleons
hide details 3/8/10
Chris,
Once again I am very sorry for this minor infraction of our silly international copy write laws. We had some work done on our website by an offsite contractor who was not aware of the limitations in using your photographs. I will take down the photographs some time on Monday, March 8th. If you really do not want anyone using your photographs ever then I suggest you take them off the internet. You will find it quite impossible to have complete control over such issues in a new digital era of social media, free online resources and encyclopedias and people like myself who do not believe that photographs or art should be copy written at all.
Thank you,
Robert Crespo
http://www.ReptilesNCritters.com
As you can see, the guy doesn't give a rip about copyright and considers them "silly". While he quickly removed my photos both instances I contacted him, he's blatant in my exchanges with him that he's just going to find another photo to replace it with.
Chris