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How We Nearly Got Caught in an Image Copyright Trap (And What Every Business Should Know)
When You Need To Keep Your Cool
I’ve been providing SEO services as an SEO specialist and providing new web design services for a long time, and I’ll tell you something, after two plus decades as a professional in the industry, I have seen it all,
Long enough to know that most “serious” emails aren’t actually serious.
When you have been in this fun game for this long, you learn some of the tricks that come with these ” LEGAL ” scammers, and they are actually legal entities. Well, some of them are.
This one was different.
It looked formal. It sounded official. And it landed in that uncomfortable space where you don’t panic… but you don’t ignore it either. If you run a business website, this post is for you.
Not as a warning shot. Just a straight explanation of what happened, how we handled it, and what I wish more business owners understood about image copyright claims.
The Email That Made Me Stop and Re-Read It
I’ve seen plenty of legal-looking ” BULLSHIT ” emails over the years BUT, this one not only got my hair on edge but really pissed me the fuck off as well, pardon my French.
These bastards just get better with every attempt and more legal looking as the years go by, and their best weapon for sourcing these images is historical website databases, which of course we can not name names. Most of them are harmless. Some are junk.
This one wasn’t aggressive, but it wasn’t casual either. and it was a real business, even though the website looked like it was put together while I was on the shitter taking a break.
It referenced an image. It mplied ownership. And it hinted — quietly — at compensation.
- No threats.
- No court talk.
That’s what made it clever.
And that’s also where a lot of businesses slip up.
Here’s the Part No One Tells You
Even careful professional SEO services in Sydney get caught. Not because they’re stealing images, but because websites live a long time. Images get added years ago.
- Designers come and go.
- Licences get lost.
- Ownership changes hands.
Sometimes an image that was perfectly fine at the time… isn’t so clear anymore.
That’s not malicious.
That’s just reality.
And yet, the pressure lands the same way. Copyrighted images can be found in these historical databases, and they will try to see if you fall for it, regardless of how these licenses may have changed over the years.
Even if you used an image freely for your business, and it was allowed to be used freely for commercial purposes, they will still attempt to lighten your bank balance for you.
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Copyright Is Real — But So Are Pressure Tactics
Let me be clear about something. Copyright matters. Creators deserve protection. But there’s a difference between protecting rights and monetising fear.
That’s what these bastards were doing with us.
Some businesses exist almost entirely to:
Scan websites at scale
Identify images they control
Send formal notices
Rely on the recipient not knowing how to respond
It’s legal. But it’s also uncomfortable. And if you don’t know the process, it’s easy to assume the worst. If you get it wrong here, it could end up costing you dearly, and I’m not talking about just $300 dollars either. How does a couple of thousand on demand sound?
A few hundred isn’t enough these days for any business, let alone legal scammers like the guys that thought they would pull that shit on PK SEO, but they still tried.
What We Did (And Why We Didn’t Panic)
We didn’t argue. We didn’t admit anything. We didn’t ignore it either. First thing we did was remove the image. Immediately. That’s important to understand:
Removing an image is not an admission of guilt.
It’s just a sensible first step.
Then we responded calmly.
Professionally.
We asked for verification.
We asked for authority to act.
No emotion.
No back-and-forth.
No rushed decisions.
And then we waited.
That pause alone changes the dynamic.
This Is Where Most Businesses Go Wrong
Fear. Once fear kicks in, logic disappears. I mean it completely goes out the damn window, and then it is even harder to make sense of anything. The problem is people instantly shit themselves and rush to reply. These guys are not expecting a calm response. They are expecting a panicked response, ready to pay to eliminate any legal risk.
They overshare.
They apologise for things they haven’t done.
They pay just to make it go away.
I get it. No one wants legal trouble.
But rushing is exactly what pressure-based enforcement relies on.
Slow responses remove leverage. You are going to have to do some investigative duties yourself to find weaknesses in their stories. Do they have ground with their claims. In most cases they don’t because licenses change over the years, images change ownership. Make these checks and you should find something to argue your grounds.
Why “Found” Images Are a Problem Waiting to Happen
Years ago, using images from around the web felt normal. Those days are gone. Even stock image platforms shift terms. Even “free” images come with strings. Even designers make assumptions. And years later, you’re the one holding the bag. That’s why we’ve changed how we approach imagery altogether. We have to, and you should, too, because you now have these legal fear-mongering sharks asking for money…AND LOTS OF IT…but not enough to involve legal counsel. This is where the difference and catch lies.
Why We Now Use AI-Generated Images Wherever Possible
This experience flipped a switch for me. AI-generated images remove an entire category of risk:
No third-party ownership
No retroactive claims
No missing licences
No “we can’t find the paperwork” conversations
For service websites, especially, it just makes sense.
It’s cleaner.
It’s safer.
And frankly, it’s easier.
This isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about reducing exposure.
I Still Believe in Doing the Right Thing
This isn’t anti-copyright.
If someone genuinely owns an image and can prove it, that deserves respect.
But pressure tactics don’t educate businesses — they scare them.
And most small business owners aren’t trying to do the wrong thing.
They’re just busy running a business.
If You Own a Website, Read This Slowly
Check your images.
Remove anything you’re unsure about.
Stop using images you didn’t create or licence properly.
Store licences in one place.
Move toward AI or original photography.
And if an email arrives that feels serious — pause before you respond.
That pause matters. IT REALLY BLOODY MATTERS…How you respond here is the difference between losing money and making these monkeys go away. We made ours go away even though they attempted to continue the mail, sending a couple of times because their claim bordered on using an image that we did not have permission to do so, when we did, at the time.
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This eBook reveals step-by-step GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) strategies to future-proof your rankings and dominate AI search in 2025 and beyond. Perfect for business owners, marketers, and SEOs ready to evolve with Google’s most disruptive change yet.
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Final Thought
This post isn’t theory.
It happened to us.
And if an SEO business that understands compliance can get targeted, anyone can.
The goal isn’t fear.
It’s awareness.
Because calm responses beat rushed ones.
Process beats pressure.
And knowing how these tactics work puts you back in control.
Disclaimer (Read This)
This article is shared for general information only and reflects a real-world experience presented in an anonymised way.
It is not legal advice. If you receive a copyright notice or legal correspondence, you should seek advice from a qualified legal professional before taking action.
PK SEO has been providing search engine optimisation services as Sydney SEO specialists for small and enterprise businesses across Australia for over two decades, consistently writing about the latest SEO trends and strategies shaping the digital landscape. For further assistance, contact PK SEO at 0418 118 998 or email us at pkseotoday@gmail.com.