We recently received an email from Copytrack, acting on behalf of YayImages, alleging the unauthorized use of one of their images. After carefully analyzing this and other similar claims found online, we want to share how we resolved the issue.

⚡ The Dreaded Copytrack Email: Scam or Legit?

If you’ve received a similar email, it’s natural to wonder if it’s a scam or fraud.
Copytrack is a legitimate company specializing in tracking and protecting image copyrights on behalf of content owners.
Thus, although alarming, their email should not be ignored. For a step-by-step response plan, see our guide: What to do when you receive a copyright infringement claim for images. taxtosell.eu

Although there are many articles online referring to Copytrack as a scam, it is in fact a legitimate company based in Germany that earns significant revenue by claiming image rights on behalf of its clients. To understand potential exposure and typical amounts claimed, review: Fines for Using Copyrighted Images: What You’ll Pay. However, depending on the country and the type of business you run, being the subject of a rights claim may not necessarily lead to legal proceedings. taxtosell.eu

In many cases, you can remain relatively calm and choose to ignore the initial negotiation phase, waiting instead to see if a formal lawsuit is actually filed.

In our case, the email detailed the allegedly unauthorized image and urged us to verify whether we held a valid license, particularly for usage within Germany (Federal Republic of Germany). Evidence supporting the claim was provided through their online portal.

If you don’t have the license at hand, quickly check whether the image appears on paid stock sites or free repositories using our Image Copyright Checker (free report with High/Medium/Low risk). This helps you gauge how strong the claim might be before replying. taxtosell.eu

️Our Response: Documentation is Key!

Upon receiving the email, our immediate priority was to review our image purchase records from the subscription platforms we regularly use.
✅ After a thorough search, we found that the image in question had been legitimately downloaded via an active Freepik subscription.

Armed with proof of licensing, we replied to Copytrack by attaching the relevant documentation.
Result?
➡️ The case was closed peacefully, with no need for legal proceedings or financial compensation.

Tip: Keeping an audit trail of licenses, invoices and sources makes all the difference — see: Legal cleanup after a copyright claim: your action plan. And if you manage a large media library, here’s a practical workflow with our plugin: How to Use Image CopyRight Checker (Quick Guide)

🎯 Lessons Learned & How to Protect Yourself

Our positive outcome highlights the critical importance of maintaining detailed records of the origin and licensing of every image used on your website or blog.

Here are some essential tips to avoid future copyright issues:

📋 Keep detailed documentation:

Track where each image comes from and the type of license it carries.

🧾 Save proof of purchase:

Keep receipts, invoices, or download confirmations from subscription platforms.

📖 Understand licensing terms:

Know what your license covers — especially regarding commercial use and territorial restrictions.

🔍 Regularly audit your site:

Periodically review your site to identify images with unclear origin or licensing.

We were asked to pay, vía transfer or credit card, 350€ for the image license and 386€ more for past usage and only for one image that was detected in their systems from 5 years ago. The image was not a very unique one but one that we have seen in many webs and paid image banks. The amount for many images or more unique ones can be very high. Also if you go to court and don´t accept the proposal the cost can be significantly higher.

It is not easy, and we didn´t find an easy solution so we asked our programmer to build a plugin for WordPress than can audit the more than 5.000 images library that we own. We give it for free to analice and keep record of your images data.

🆘 Received a Similar Email? Don’t Panic!

If you find yourself in a similar situation, follow these steps:

1. Verify the evidence: Access the Copytrack portal using the provided case ID and review the alleged image.

2. Search your records: Check your archives and subscription platforms for proof of licensing.

3. Respond with proof: If you have a valid license, reply to the email attaching the proper documentation.

4. Evaluate your options: If you lack a valid license, consider negotiating for a retroactive license purchase or settlement.

5. Don’t ignore the email: Responding within the given deadline is crucial to avoid legal action.

✨ Final Thought

Our experience shows that many of these claims can be resolved peacefully if you have proper documentation.
➡️ Prevention is the best defense: Always know the source of every visual element you use online!