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Author Topic: copyright infringement on the streets  (Read 2464 times)

Boris Vyatkin

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copyright infringement on the streets
« on: 12-03-04 at 10:26 am »

Hi, there
I'm at total loss what to do...

I'm a photographer who makes a living selling art as a street vendor in New York.
All my images are copyrighted (and registered with Library of Cogress).

There are a lot of street vendors, who sell unautorized copies  of my work. Talking to them have no effect - they are buying copies very cheep and not gonna buy from me. Police is not helping and even warning me about possible harrasment charges. Lawyers are not interested in my case because of nature and volume of offenders.
What to do?
Boris
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JimIvey

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Re:  copyright infringement on the streets
« Reply #1 on: 12-03-04 at 10:52 am »

Looking for justice on the streets of New York?  Good luck!

In my few visits there, lawfulness didn't seem to be a high priority.

I'm not sure why attorneys aren't taking the case -- maybe shallow pockets (not much money) in the infringers?

I honestly don't know where else to turn other than (i) to file your own lawsuit yourself and/or (ii) find a different marketplace for your work.  Or keep looking for an attorney willing to help you out.

Unfortunately, I don't do copyright law and I don't practice in New York, or I'd try to find time to look at your case.

Regards.
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Isaac

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Re:  copyright infringement on the streets
« Reply #2 on: 12-03-04 at 11:19 pm »

Even with possibility of statutory damages and attorney fees,
I can see why an attorney might not see dollar signs in his
future when the defendant's are street vendors.
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Isaac

JSonnabend

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Re:  copyright infringement on the streets
« Reply #3 on: 12-08-04 at 10:48 am »

With all due respect to my colleagues here, I am a New York based IP attorney and don't necessarily agree with the characterizations of either my city's lawfulness or the nature of the "pockets" of the case.

If the photographs you're referencing are the black and white images of the city that are all over the place, the chances are good that there is a single source of these copies that is supplying all the vendors -- probably in Chinatown.  If you can identify that source, you may have a single defendant with significant "pockets" to make a suit worthwhile.  Find that source, and then contact me.   A private investigator might be helpful in this regard.

- Jeff
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SonnabendLaw
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