Zillow Gone Wild gets hit with $300K copyright infringement suit
Zillow, the popular online real estate marketplace, is facing a $300,000 copyright infringement lawsuit after allegedly using images without permission on its Zillow Gone Wild Instagram account. The lawsuit was filed by professional photographer, Jacob Elliott, who claims that Zillow used his images of luxury homes without obtaining the proper license.
What happened?
The lawsuit alleges that Zillow used Elliott’s images on its Zillow Gone Wild Instagram account, which has over one million followers. The account features photos of extravagant homes, often with humorous captions. Elliott claims that he never gave Zillow permission to use his copyrighted images, and that he has suffered financial losses as a result of the infringement.
Legal action
Elliott’s lawsuit seeks $300,000 in damages for the alleged copyright infringement. He claims that Zillow not only used his images without permission, but also cropped out his watermark and used them for commercial purposes. The lawsuit also alleges that Zillow violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by not properly attributing the photos to Elliott.
Zillow’s response
In response to the lawsuit, Zillow has stated that it takes copyright infringement claims seriously and is investigating the matter. The company has removed the images in question from its Zillow Gone Wild account and is working to resolve the issue with Elliott. Zillow has also stated that it has a strict policy against using copyrighted material without permission and will take appropriate action to prevent future incidents.
Conclusion
Copyright infringement is a serious issue that can have significant consequences for businesses and individuals. It is important for companies like Zillow to respect the rights of content creators and obtain proper licenses for images used in their marketing materials. As this lawsuit moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the courts address the issue of copyright infringement in the digital age.
FAQs
What is copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright owner. This can include images, text, music, and other creative works.
How can I protect my copyright?
To protect your copyright, it is important to register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office. You should also include a copyright notice on your work and monitor for any unauthorized use.
What are the penalties for copyright infringement?
The penalties for copyright infringement can vary, but they can include statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney’s fees. In some cases, copyright infringement can also lead to criminal charges.
