CopyTrack Copyright Claim: How to Respond

Recently, I received an email from copytrack.com, a company that tracks down unauthorized use of images. If you use a photo online without a valid license, they will find you and ensure that the copyright holder receives compensation.

At least, that’s how it works in an ideal world where companies are fair, and people sometimes infringe on copyright without malicious intent...

However, reality is far more complex, as I recently discovered. With this article, I want to help anyone who finds themselves in the same situation. In my case, the claim involved a photo I had legally purchased from a stock photo website. But you might be in a different scenario—maybe you simply downloaded a photo without purchasing it (a bad decision, of course). Either way, this guide might help you save money!

May 13, 2024, 10:05 AM - A Claim Email from CopyTrack

On Monday afternoon, May 13, 2024, I received this email. In short, it stated that I was using a photo on my website without a valid license. Since I had allegedly used the image unlawfully, they demanded a payment of €350 as compensation. If I wanted to continue using the photo for another year, I could pay an additional €300, or I could remove the photo immediately.

This email made me anxious—those are significant amounts! Ridiculous, actually… But where did I even get that photo? In recent years, I’ve only used images from free stock photo websites and paid subscription-based stock services. In theory, I was in the clear, but how could I prove it? Did I still have the license? I don’t always save the license when downloading from free stock photo sites. So, how could I provide proof?

May 13, 2024, 5:03 PM - Found My License

Luckily, I found my license! I had purchased the photo through Envato Elements, and it was neatly stored in my portfolio. Great! I could simply send it over and be done with it.

But wait… what if I hadn’t found the license? How would I resolve this? If the license was lost, how should I handle the situation? Paying €350 for a stock photo seemed absurd, especially if I actually had a valid license but just couldn't retrieve it.

May 13, 2024, 7:30 PM - My First Response to CopyTrack

Ignoring these kinds of emails is usually not the best approach. CopyTrack requested a response within seven days, which is reasonable. That doesn’t mean you need to pay within that time frame. If you just want the issue to go away and money is not a concern, you could negotiate the price and settle. But I would never do that. Don't rush—take your time.

I had no intention of paying. I realized that I wasn’t the underdog here (even though it feels that way when you receive such an email) but rather an equal party to CopyTrack. I drafted an email that summarized the following:

• I acknowledge the claim and will review it.
• Request 1: Provide proof that CopyTrack is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright holder.
• Request 2: Provide proof that the copyright holder is the undisputed owner of the image.
• After their response, I will need 30 days to review the claim.
• I am willing to resolve the matter.

Here is the email I sent:

 1Dear Sir/Madam,  
 2
 3We acknowledge receipt of your claim regarding case number: XXXXXX.  
 4
 5You claim ownership of a photo with Hit No.: 82032981, description: Man in foreground wearing a helmet, excavator in the background. According to you, the copyright holder is: CONCEPT-PRODUCTION.  
 6
 7To proceed with the review of this claim, we request the following:  
 8
 9- A document authorizing you to act on behalf of this copyright holder.  
10- Proof (from the copyright holder) that they are the rightful owner of the material in question.  
11
12Please provide these documents via email no later than May 23, 2024, at myemail@maildomein.com.  
13
14Upon receipt of the requested evidence, we will review the claim within 30 days.  
15
16Best regards,  
17Ton Snoei  

May 15, 2024, 12:54 PM - CopyTrack’s Response

CopyTrack responded with a three-page PDF stating that Ernest Dayang from CONCEPT-PRODUCTION in France had authorized them to act on his behalf. Okay, that answered request 1.

However, they did not respond to request 2—proof of ownership. Instead, they insisted on payment. Again, not happening.

May 16, 2024, 7:33 PM - My Follow-Up Response

I sent another request to CopyTrack, explicitly asking for proof that Ernest Dayang of CONCEPT-PRODUCTION was the rightful owner of the image. I also explained how they could demonstrate this.

Meanwhile...

I didn’t sit idly by. Now that I had a name—Ernest Dayang—I performed a reverse image search using this website. This allowed me to see which stock photo sites offered the image.

To my surprise, a completely different name appeared—a photographer from Romania! What was the connection between this Romanian photographer and Ernest Dayang from France?

After contacting the Romanian photographer through his website, he confirmed: He owned the photo, had never transferred rights to anyone else, and had never heard of Ernest Dayang or CONCEPT-PRODUCTION.

So, a Frenchman was claiming ownership of a photo actually belonging to a Romanian photographer. The photographer’s name appeared on every stock photo website listing the image, making it clear he was the rightful owner—not Ernest Dayang.

On Trustpilot, the name CONCEPT-PRODUCTION appears frequently in relation to CopyTrack. Is this an honest mistake or a blatant scam? Trustpilot’s ratings speak volumes.

May 20, 2024, 6:22 PM - CopyTrack’s Final Response

They stated that the information they had provided was sufficient to support the claim and insisted that I pay.

May 21, 2024, 9:00 AM - My Response

None. I stopped responding. I had my proof. They had no proof. I wasn’t going to pay.

December 1, 2025, 10:00 AM

Silence. Nothing happened. Earlier this year, I contacted the owner of CONCEPT-PRODUCTION. He gave me a vague excuse about being too busy to look into the issue.

Is CopyTrack Legitimate?

Anyone can sign up for CopyTrack’s platform, upload images, and request enforcement. CopyTrack takes 45% of the claim amount, allegedly for legal costs, while the uploader receives 55%.

However, this case proves that CopyTrack does not verify whether claimants are actual copyright holders. Or worse—they knowingly allow this as a lucrative business model.

I tested it myself by creating a CopyTrack account. The process of claiming images was shockingly easy—there was no verification of my ownership whatsoever.

Many website owners panic and pay out of fear. If you show any hesitation, they will pressure you to pay under the threat of legal action. This is a fantastic business model: upload random images, make claims, and watch the money roll in. The real image owner remains unaware.

Disclaimer

This article is based on my personal experience and does not constitute legal advice. I am not a lawyer, and this article should not replace legal counsel. Always consult a legal professional if you encounter a similar situation.