Photo STOLEN!

I took a photo at a wrestling show earlier this week. One of the wrestlers in the photo is a local wrestler who wrestles for a promotion called "Pro Wrestling Revolution". I had posted the photo up on my wrestling Facebook page, and found that my photo had been posted on the PWRevolution website without my consent and permission. I sent an angry email to the admin, but what else can I do?

Here is the photo I took:

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Register the photo within three months of publication (!!) with the US Copyright Office. Actually don't wait, but do it TODAY.

Forget any angry e-mails, or contacting them. Get an attorney. Forget any advice you get on this message board. Get an attorney! Also: Get an attorney!

Wow, on the frontpage even! I agree with getting an attorney, even if you won't immediately sue them, they can help you with the correct legal terminology.

you also need to do screen captures so you can prove they actually used your photo. Once they realize you are serious they may take it down and then your evidence is gone unless you do screen captures

I agree that you need to get the images registered.
The best option would be to send them an invoice UNLESS you're after serious money for copyright infringement. Then you need an attorney and the worse thing to do would be to send them an email since it could hurt your chances of a large recovery.

If you were there as the hired event photographer, was it part of the deal that they could use any image for promotional use? There's the possibility that they will replace you for future events if you pursue this. So if this is the case, carefully consider if the monetary gain would be worth it.

Mike R wrote in post #10724483
The best option would be to send them an invoice UNLESS you're after serious money for copyright infringement. Then you need an attorney and the worse thing to do would be to send them an email since it could hurt your chances of a large recovery..

DO NOT make any further contact. You will only be undermining the work of your attorney. As everyone says, register your works, and find an attorney to handle it from now on. Try to find a lawyer that will handle the matter on a contingency basis so you don't have to lay out any money.

Mike R wrote in post #10724483
If you were there as the hired event photographer, was it part of the deal that they could use any image for promotional use? There's the possibility that they will replace you for future events if you pursue this. So if this is the case, carefully consider if the monetary gain would be worth it.

I was not at the event as the hired photographer, but as a fan. I am in no way affiliated with the wrestling promotion currently using my photo. In fact, I have never had contact with any of the people running the site/promotion.

Watermark...

I'd maybe be careful that there wasn't any wording on your ticket that prohibited photography in the arena and the posting of such. Sure, we all do it, however it is generally impossible to track the photographers down.

I could be wrong but just one thing to consider.

CH_Devin wrote in post #10724683
I was not at the event as the hired photographer, but as a fan. I am in no way affiliated with the wrestling promotion currently using my photo. In fact, I have never had contact with any of the people running the site/promotion.

This may be an opportunity for you. It's obvious they like your work.

Best of luck in whichever way you choose to pursue the theft.

DMCA removal letter AFTER you take a screenshot.

Just wondering about facebook rights etc .
Once you post on "facebook", facebook has rights to do whatever stuff to your image, including selling to other.
http://www.facebook.co​m/terms.php
If "prowrestler" really stolen from "facebook", you may use facebook's legal channel. If they bought from facebook, then you may be shooting in dark.

This is actually common. If you see the website, it's just a blog. You shouldn't worry at all, just email the guy through contact page and ask him to take it out. Even if you've registered your stuff and have a trademark on it, a lot of small blogs or people will still add these pictures up that you might not know of.

The guy has a twitter account :
http://twitter.com/PWR​evolution

"Bio: Husband, Father, Promoter, Professional Babysitter"

Just DM (Direct message) him @ twitter if you want to handle this quickly.

Eh, I'd just ask for photo credit instead of being a jerk about it. They may 'hire' you to do more -shrug- This isn't a photo of the president we're talking about, it's a guy being choke slammed by the Big Show.

Michael, is it ok to use your photos for commercial purposes? As long as I MIGHT hire you to shoot something.....