Sent a "copyright email" and here's the response

So I found a realtor that had just listed a home I shot about a year ago. I wasn't sure how to handle it right off, so I went on to what I thought was a nicely-written email.

I said:
My name is ___ with AP Imagery and it's come to my attention that some images I had taken for another realtor were being used on a listing on _____. For listings that I shoot, we retain copyright while we provide realtors with a a license-to-use for photos during the duration of their listing.

If you would like to use the existing photos, I'd be happy to license them to you to use at a discount, or offer to shoot new, higher-quality photos at a normal price. I haven't worked with you before, so feel free to give me a call, or reply to my email if you would be interesting in this listing, and any others you have currently, or acquire in the future. Some important notes are that we can usually shoot listings usually within 24 hours, and guarantee you get the images within 24 hours from the shoot time. We are usually in and out within 20 minutes as well. We offer twilight images, aerial and walk-through photos and videos as well.

This was his response in which he copied his new client:
I did not know that these were “yours”. I am not paying you a nickel. I am taking down that listing, it went up about two hours ago. I don’t know you and I don’t want to ever get a call or email from you again– I will consider that harassment.
(Client's name),
Your listing is being taken down now. See email below. Send me pictures that are not “attached” to this gentleman. I knew nothing of this individual and hold no responsibility to him. Your listing will go back up when you send me new pictures and a email that assures me that there is no 3rd party to claim ownership of the pics.

Is it just me, or does this guy just have a little bit of an attitude problem? I want to leave it alone, but at the same time, I don't. I tried to be nice, and could have just reported him and in our state, could've been fined $1000.

My blood pressure is a little elevated.

I got a proper attitude problem there..have you got screenshots and proof? I would report him

Screenshots, I didn't think about it. It was my first time running into something like that, and he had taken down the listing before he replied... GRRR

Your letter was appropriate and his response was rude, but in the end the images were removed. Do realize that the homeowner may have given the new realtor the images, not realizing the consequences. In the end, you have the result you needed and any other action is more likely to damage your reputation than to improve it. Move on.

He apparently has a bad reputation already. Since I talked to the original realtor I shot this property for, she has told me some stories.
I guess I was just amazed at this amazing "customer service" from someone in the "people business".

Wow! First of all, can not believe that is how he talks to his clients.

Since you have the client's email maybe you can allow them to use the photos for free if they promised to list their property with a different realtor.

He is rude not just to you but to his customer (home owner). I m surprise such realtor still exist in such highly competitive market.

Check your temporary internet files and see if your browser saved the webpage. If so, copy/paste it and you have your evidence to report his unethical behavior.

Old Coot wrote in post #16964296
... report his unethical behavior.

While his method was, "When in doubt, attack!", I don't see it as unethical. We don't know what his client told him when he provided the images, & he did take them down when he was notified, no?
You won. Just forget it & move on.

I'd email him again, maybe thinking him for taking down the listing and send him a price list if he needs new pics done or has any more properties he needs shot. After the email, ( and no doubt fun response) give the guy a call to see if he got the email. when he lights up about it and his response, just say oh, I haven't checked my emails to see that you had received it." that ought to upset him a bit more!

I'd harass him in the most polite, friendly manner possible just to really piss him off!

Yikes, that's one hell of a rude response.

I could kind of understand something so hostile if you had thrown out threats of a lawsuit immediately, but you were polite, calm and friendly in your email to him.

With your images removed, I think just leaving this situation alone now is probably the best bet. No need to get in to it any further. I personally wouldn't spend any more time than I needed to with that person, and you have got a result, which ok doesn't get you any money, but does mean that your images are not being used without your permission.

To echo what others have said: You won this situation, move on.

The guy is not worth your time or effort. You won, time to move on and forget him.

I'm sorry, it's very frustrating indeed but this guy has some serious issue. I agree with others that him and the situation isn't worth your time

There's no upside to emailing him a price list.

Do you really want to do work for him?

That's what I thought.

UPDATE: The original realtor that I shot for told me some stories about this guy. He's not local, has his own little RE biz, and is one of those flat-fee guys that has random houses all over the state. I was originally going to "reply to all" on that, and Address him with a simple sentence, but also wanted him to see the response to his client. I decided to just send him a "Thanks for your cooperation!". His client did end up emailing us both and said that she thought she could give them to this realtor to use and she apologized to us both.

I wrote her back with a "No worries" type of email quickly explaining why we license photos and not sell them outright as it's unfair to Realtor A if they paid and a subsequent realtor used them free. I ended with "I offered to help the realtor out but definitely did not expect a reply like that" and wished her good luck with the sale.

She sent me back a very polite email saying she completely understands it now, apologized a couple more times, and complimented me on my work/website! Oh, and she mentioned she was surprised by "his harsh words too".

*sigh of relief*