This is my new topic to name and shame those who infringe on my copyrights. 

I sent the following message to Nextag a booking engine site on 1-31-12. They have not responded to date. I just sent them a new message.

It is interesting to note that they have links to Twitter on their website. I wonder what would happen if lots of people let them know that their behavior is unacceptable?  They can also be contacted at: buyersupport@nextag.com 

Re: Copyright Infringement 

On this page http://travel.nextag.com/fitzpatrick-castle/hotels-html is a photo of Bunratty Castle Hotel that I photographed and own. Your company has mistakenly identified it as Bunratty Shannon Shamrock Hotel, which has been closed for some years. 

On this page http://travel.nextag.com/Bunratty-Shannon-Shamrock-Hotel-610560020/hotel-information-html?pane=pictures Is another copy of my photo. 

You did not ask for my permission to use my photo. As the photographer, I own the photo and the copyright to it. It belongs to me, not the hotel and is not in the public domain. You do not have my permission to use the photo. I have not granted permission to for its use to any person, company or entity to date.  

I own the original, un-cropped, un-enhanced photo of Bunratty Castle Hotel in question. Before using it in my copyrighted articles and posting it online in such articles I cropped and enhanced the photo. Hence the one you are using on your website is the cropped and enhanced version of the original that is in my possession. The original photo has never appeared online. Because you are using the cropped and enhanced photo it is obvious it has been taken from the Internet. I know for a fact you do not possess the original photo. I do. 

The cropped and enhanced photos appeared in my 2010 copyrighted articles on my Blog http://irelandyes.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/ireland%E2%80%99s-real-castle-hotels/

Since I am the photographer and copyright owner and reside in Cobb County Georgia USA all such jurisdictional laws apply to this case. If it comes to a dispute, whoever shows a court of law the original, un-retouched photo will be deemed to be the legal owner. Unless you can show the original photo in a court of law, it might be a lot less trouble to just remove my photo from your website. 

You are now on notice that my photo of Bunratty Castle Hotel that you are using on your website was stolen from me. Whoever did it is currently unknown. But you now know that someone stole it. When an individual or company is informed that they have stolen property in their possession it is up to them to relinquish possession and return it to the rightful owner, regardless from whom it was received. That is the right and lawful thing to do. If, instead, you continue to use my photos on your website it will prove that you are profiting from stolen photos and will give the public a good indication of the trustworthiness and reputation of your company. 

Please remove my photo from your website. 

Sincerely, 

Michele Erdvig

Certified Ireland Travel Expert 

Web: www.IrelandYes.com
Book: www.IrelandDreamTrip.com
Blog: www.irelandyes.wordpress.com