I’m amazed that I still have to say this but, businesses, stop using Google Images to find photos for your website.

Here’s another copyright lawsuit where the defendant, this time an insurance adjuster from Merrillville, Indiana, apparently used a professional photographer’s photograph in an online advertisement without permission. The photograph, descriptively titled “Plaster falling off the ceiling” (see Complaint below) was apparently used by the defendant in the background of an advertisement for insurance claims for poorly installed stucco.

I’m guessing that the defendant simply found the photograph via Google Search, perhaps with a search for the exact title, and unwittingly put the photograph in background of their advertisement. Note that the registrant of the insurance adjuster’s website was also named as a defendant. If they were also the website developer, they might have some direct responsibility for the content of the website and use of the plaintiff’s photograph.

Usually these lawsuits can be settled quickly but stay tuned to see whether the defendant can assert any creative defenses or explanations. Stay tuned for updates.

Radic v. AllCity Adjusting LLC et al

Court Case Number: 1:23-cv-00468-HAB-SLC
File Date: November 3, 2023
Plaintiff: Ivan Radic
Plaintiff Counsel: J. Campbell Miller, Evan A. Andersen of SRIPLAW, P.A.
Defendants: AllCity Adjuster LLC, Zor Development LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Removal of Copyright Management Information, Addition of False Copyright Management Information
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Holly A. Brady
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Complaint: