Have you received a threatening email claiming you used a copyrighted image on your website? Don’t panic. You’re not alone, and these notices are becoming more common — even when the image was properly licensed or from a free stock source.
Step 1: Don’t Pay Anything Right Away
These messages are often sent by third-party "copyright enforcement" companies like PicRights or Copytrack. Their job is to collect money — even for questionable or legitimate image uses — and they can be aggressive in tone.
Even if the image came from a free stock library (like Pexels, Pixabay, or Unsplash) or was licensed properly (like iStock or Adobe Stock), these companies may still send notices.
Do not panic or rush into payment.
Step 2: Check the Image in Question
Most emails will include:
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A link to the image or PDF they’re flagging
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A reference number
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A screenshot or download showing where the image was found
Visit the link and review the material carefully to determine:
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Is the image actually on your site?
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Is it inside a PDF or document?
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Is it something you added or came from someone else (a past employee, marketing agency, etc.)?
Step 3: Remove the Image (if in doubt)
If you're unsure of the source or can't locate the original license, the safest move is to:
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Delete the image or PDF entirely from your website, including any preview thumbnails
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Clear your site cache (if applicable) to make sure the removal takes effect
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Check any social media or other platforms where it might have been posted
If you know the image is yours or you purchased it (e.g. iStock, Adobe), keep a record of your proof of purchase.
Step 4: Respond Only If You Want To
If the image is now removed, you're not legally required to reply unless you’re contacted by a lawyer (these companies usually aren’t law firms). That said, some clients prefer to send a brief, non-admitting message to close the loop. Here’s a sample:
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
The image in question has been removed from our website and related content.
We are reviewing our content to ensure continued compliance moving forward.
Avoid admitting fault. Just acknowledge, remove, and move on.
Step 5: Still Not Sure What to Do? Contact Us.
If you’re worried or don’t know whether the image came from a valid source, send us a copy of the email you received, along with the link they’re referencing. We’ll take a look and guide you through next steps.
Bonus Tips to Avoid Future Issues:
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Use only reputable, royalty-free image sources (like Pexels, Pixabay, or Unsplash)
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Keep a folder of proof of image licenses or download history, especially for paid stock images
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Be cautious when using PDFs or content provided by third parties — if you didn’t create it, the source of the images may be unknown
