All views expressed are my own. This is not legal advice.
As a Belfast-based web developer at Just There, I pride myself on always using licensed images from legitimate sources such as Canva, Envato Elements, and ShutterStock. These platforms provide clear usage rights under their subscription models, meaning content is licensed to subscribers at the time of download.
On August 4, 2025, I received a surprising email from a German company called COPYTRACK (now renamed RD Legal GmbH) claiming that one of my websites was using an image without permission and demanding payment.
This post documents the entire exchange between myself and COPYTRACK, my research into their practices, and my personal opinion so that others can be aware of what to expect.
The First Email From COPYTRACK
Below is the full text of the first email COPYTRACK sent me:
Sent via email to {email} on August 4, 2025
Subject: Authorization request / Unauthorized image use – Case no: REDACTED
Dear Just There,
We, COPYTRACK, are writing to you on behalf of our client CONCEPT-PRODUCTION, who has assigned us the monitoring and protection of their licenses and image rights. On July 31, 2025 we have been informed that Just There is likely using an image without permission and the client has exclusively commissioned us with the clarification, administration of the image rights for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and, if necessary, the enforcement of any copyright infringement through our partner lawyers. Images are protected by copyright law almost worldwide and infringements are actionable under the respective national law. Please see the attachment below for details.
On behalf of our client, we must first determine if you have a valid license to use the images in question in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany. If you have a valid license or any other legal justification to use these images, please reply to this email and include proof of license purchase and/or any other necessary information to validate the usage.
Please note that you are obliged to provide the necessary information about the usage of the image to allow our client and us to verify the lawfulness of such usage.
Please respond to this letter no later than August 14, 2025.
If this is not the case, your use of the image material most likely constitutes a copyright infringement within the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany. If no settlement can be reached, we as Copytrack are directly instructed to enforce these rights for the territory in the Federal Republic of Germany through our German partner lawyers and, in addition, to instruct our respective partner lawyers in other countries to examine and, if necessary, enforce the infringement of the rights in the respective countries. You could then be legally obligated to compensate our client for the damage caused by this copyright infringement.
Rights holder: CONCEPT-PRODUCTION
Image found on: {Website Link}
Online Since: July 16, 2025
3 Steps to Solving Your Case:
Check – Review the evidence on this case by going to https://portal.copytrack.com and entering CASE ID REDACTED Proof – Show us proof of your license by uploading it or providing any other legal justification to use these images and if it is valid, we will close your case immediately. If no licence: Option 1: Purchase of a subsequent image license (€389.59 – valid for one year) Option 2: Compensation for past use (€350.00)
Payment due by September 2, 2025 via PayPal, credit card, or bank transfer. Failure to pay or provide proof may result in referral to their partner attorneys and significantly higher fees.
Deadline for proof: August 14, 2025
I Happily Wrote My First Response
Here’s the email I sent back:
I acknowledge receipt of your recent correspondence regarding the alleged use of certain images on my website. Please note that all images used on my site are obtained through legitimate, licensed sources, including but not limited to Canva and Envato Elements, both of which provide appropriate usage rights for their content.
If content owners do not wish for their work to be used in accordance with such platforms’ licensing terms, the appropriate course of action is to ensure the content is not distributed via these marketplaces.
If you believe you are the rightful owner of the specific image(s) in question, please provide clear, verifiable proof of ownership and identify the exact location of the image(s) on our website. Upon receipt and verification, we will review the matter and, if appropriate, remove the image(s) promptly.
This letter is not an admission of liability, and I consider this matter to be without merit. I therefore request that you cease further contact with me regarding this issue unless providing the aforementioned proof.
COPYTRACK’s Second Email
Their reply was short but telling:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your message.
Please share with us proof with a visible purchase date so that we can check whether you have been using the image with permission before we contacted you.
It can be, for example, an invoice or a screenshot of the download history from your account.
Otherwise, we must insist on full compensation payment.
Best regards,
COPYTRACK GmbH has officially been renamed to RD Legal GmbH. We kindly ask you to use the new company name, especially for all future bank transfers.
Legal Department
I Then Happily Wrote My Second Response
Here’s my follow-up:
Thank you for your recent correspondence.
As you will be aware, Canva (and similar platforms) operate under a subscription-based licensing model. Content is licensed to subscribers at the time of download, with no individual purchase receipts for each asset. This is standard industry practice.
I am based outside your legal jurisdiction, and I am under no obligation to respond to payment demands without first receiving verifiable proof of your legal standing in this matter. Specifically, please provide:
1. Documentary evidence that you are authorised to act on behalf of the named copyright holder.
2. Documentary evidence that the named copyright holder actually owns the rights to the image in question.
Until such proof is provided, this matter will not be taken further. I should also note that the normal and reasonable course of action would be to request removal of the image before making any financial demand. Nevertheless, I will remove the image from my website and replace it with a far better one.
Any further payment demands without substantiated proof will be regarded as unfounded and potentially harassing. Should such contact persist, my legal team will become involved to address what would then be considered a cross-border matter.
This correspondence is sent without prejudice and does not constitute any admission of liability.
What Happened Next?
To date, I have received no further correspondence from COPYTRACK. (I will update you here if I do)
From my research, this is very common many people report that after pushing back and requesting evidence, the communication stops.
Other People’s Experiences With COPYTRACK
My case is far from unique. Here’s a snapshot of what I found:
- Ben Tasker’s blog: His detailed post outlines a similar demand and lack of follow-through.
- Reddit discussions: Threads like this one show many people questioning COPYTRACK’s methods.
- Molif.com article: A cautionary tale about their tactics.
- Trustpilot reviews: Mixed feedback some say they are legitimate, others call them predatory.
- ContentPowered blog: In-depth review of whether their threats hold up.
The pattern seems to be:
- Payment demands are made before requesting takedowns.
- Little solid proof is provided.
- International enforcement appears rare.
My Personal Opinion On COPYTRACK
Based on my experience and research:
COPYTRACK may sometimes represent real rights holders. However, their process seems to be evidence-light and aggressively worded. Their approach does not account well for modern subscription licensing models. It feels like they rely on recipients being intimidated into paying quickly.
What To Do If You Receive a COPYTRACK Email (Not Legal Advice)
Stay calm and don’t panic, Ask for proof, both of ownership and their authority to act. Check your licences make sure your usage is covered. Consider removing the image until clarified (or replace with a better one as I did). Lastly, do not pay unless you are certain they have a legitimate claim.
My Conclusion On COPYTRACK
COPYTRACK, now operating as RD Legal GmbH, presents itself as a copyright enforcement service. In practice, my experience and the experiences of many others suggest their methods are questionable, particularly for cross-border claims without substantial proof.
For creators and website owners, this is a reminder:
- Always use licensed content.
- Keep records.
- Challenge vague or aggressive payment demands.
Disclaimer
I am not a lawyer. This blog post is based on my own experience and research. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you receive a copyright claim from COPYTRACK or any similar company, seek advice from a qualified legal professional.
