Corel is taking exactly those steps. Take a look at the images they are offering now - not many 'people pics' left. The problem is twofold - first, the existing 'installed base' of images includes problematic ones, obviously, and some of those chickens are coming home to roost. Current practice has no bearing on thoses cases.
The second is even more intractable, but apporaches the limits of any liability. The complaint brought in Florida clearly states that the photographer misappropriated the images - if he misrepresents his ownership, Corel's exposure is minimal, though present. Given the fact that 'models' are not the brightest people to begin with and are often young, there are going to be cases where models sign over rights with no idea that is what they have done. WHen they take umbrage with that later, they look to the money.
That doesn't appear to be the case in the Florida action, but the fault is clearly the photographer's. Corel may bear some responsibility for ensuring the intellectual property rights are legitimate, but fraud is fraud. |
