To keep it short - found my images on a competitor's website with my watermarks and all. I report it to Google using the copyright removal tool. I get the following response over and over...
So basically competitors are now allowed to just visit your website and take whichever images they want and fuck all will happen. Is this right?
It is unclear to us whether or not you are the authorized copyright agent for the content in question. Only the copyright owner or an authorized representative can file a DMCA Infringement Notice on his/her behalf. Please note that you could be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys' fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights.
Copyright in an image is generally owned by the person who created the image, unless the image was made as part of that person’s responsibilities as an employee (in which case the image belongs to the employer) or that person entered into a written agreement to transfer the rights to the image to someone else. So, for example, a person who is the subject of a photograph is generally not the owner of the copyright in the photograph (unless the person has obtained the rights to the photograph, such as by written agreement).
If you still believe you are the copyright owner in this case, then please reply to this e-mail with documentation that confirms you are the rights holder for this content. Otherwise we cannot process your complaint, and you should have the copyright owner file a DMCA notice with us.
Regards,
The Google Team
So basically competitors are now allowed to just visit your website and take whichever images they want and fuck all will happen. Is this right?