Image copyright guide · checked 14 October 2026

Got a letter from Higbee & Associates?

Don't panic, don't ignore it, and don't pay the first number. Here's who they are and how to answer.

Who they are

Higbee & Associates is a US law firm that sends copyright demands for photographers and image agencies. Many of its claims start as PicRights letters that weren't paid.

What they want

Payment to settle the claim, often thousands of dollars per image, with a short deadline. Some letters mention a lawsuit if you don't pay.

What to do

1. Take the image down from the page and from your media library or server, then clear your caches.
2. Don't ignore the letter, and don't pay the first figure.
3. Reply in writing, not by phone. Ask who owns the copyright, how the sender got the right to claim, the exact URL and dates of use, and how the fee was worked out.
4. If you licensed or created the image, send your proof and ask them to close the claim.
5. If you didn't, offer a fair licence fee in return for a signed release from the sender and the owner. Pay only after you have it.

Worth knowing

In the US, registration matters most. If the photo wasn't registered with the Copyright Office before your use began (or within 3 months of first publication), statutory damages and attorney's fees aren't available (17 U.S.C. §412), so the realistic exposure is roughly a normal licence fee. Search publicrecords.copyright.gov and ask them for the registration number and date. If the photo was registered in time and your use was commercial, talk to a lawyer before you reply.

Check my risk and write my reply

Other senders: PicRights · Copytrack · Getty Images · Image copyright demand letter kit

Sources: Heitner Legal on PicRights, Heitner Legal on Higbee & Associates, Sprintlaw UK, Sprintlaw Australia, 17 U.S.C. §§412, 507.